Post
Michigan hogs and pigs up 30 percent
The Michigan Pork Producers Association says the almost 30 percent jump in the state’s latest hog in pig inventory report comes as a surprise.
Executive Director Mary Kelpinski tells Brownfield after reaching out to members, their best guess is that reporting efficiencies have improved and disease threats are less of an issue this year. “We’re a pretty healthy herd right now, so we’re not experiencing some of the setbacks that we did the last few years.”
Kelpinski says the slight uptick in U.S. hogs and pigs inventories may cause some backlogs in fall slaughter. “If these numbers continue to grow, we’re looking at record slaughter numbers for the weeks in the fall and early next year, so that could be a real challenge.” She says, “Hopefully the producers are looking at some of the futures markets and taking advantage of some of the prices that they can get right now.”
She says while the new Clemens pork processing facility is expected to open next fall in Coldwater, Michigan, near the Indiana/Ohio boarder, she doesn’t expect to see related herd expansions until next summer.
AUDIO: Interview with Mary Kelpinski
Add Comment