Hogs: Modest herd growth will mean continued profits this year

COLUMBUS – Hog producers had one of the most profitable years of the last decade during 2004, and this typically drives producers to expand production.
However, the most recent inventory numbers suggest that 2005 production will be only slightly larger than last year.
Given the low price of major feed inputs (and barring a major trade or demand-altering event), these factors should allow for another year of highly profitable hog production.