Cash Weaner Pig Prices Average $50.56, Down $0.38 Last Week

(National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff)

This market update is a PorkBusiness.com weekly column reporting trends in weaner pigs. All information contained in this update is for the week ended April 30.
Fig 1

Looking at hog sales in October 2021 using December 2021 futures, the weaner breakeven was $46.79, up $2.02 for the week. Feed costs were up $2.25 per head. December futures increased $2.10 compared to last week’s December futures used for the crush and historical basis is unchanged from last week. Breakeven prices are based on closing futures prices on April 30. The breakeven price is the estimated maximum you could pay for a weaner pig and breakeven when selling the finished hog. 

Note that the weaner pig profitability calculations provide weekly insight into the relative value of pigs based on assumptions that may not be reflective of your individual situation. In addition, these calculations do not consider market supply and demand dynamics for weaner pigs and space availability.

From the National Direct Delivered Feeder Pig Report
Cash-traded weaner pig volume was below average this week with 40,250 head being reported which is 83% of the 52-week average. Cash prices were $50.56, down $0.38 from a week ago. The low to high range was $40.00 - $58.00. Formula-priced weaners were up $0.11 this week at $46.84.

Cash-traded feeder pig reported volume was above average with 9,450 head reported. Cash feeder pig reported prices were $93.13, down $6.57 per head from last week.

Graph 1 shows the seasonal trends of the cash weaner pig market. 

Graph 1

Graph 2 shows the cash weaner price and cash feeder price on a weekly basis through April 30.

Graph 2

Graph 3 shows the estimated weaner pig profit by comparing the weaner pig cash price to the weaner breakeven. The profit potential increased $2.40 this week to a projected loss of $3.77 per head.

Graph 3

Jennifer Brown is Director of NutriQuest Business Solutions, a division of NutriQuest. NutriQuest Business Solutions is a team of leading business and financial experts that bring years of unparalleled experience in the livestock, row-crop and financial industries. For more information, please visit our website at www.nutriquest.com or email jenniferbrown@nutriquest.com.

More from Farm Journal's PORK:

Profit Tracker: Hog Rally Continues, Beef Declines

Pork Producers Say Prop 12 Negates Science and Biden’s Climate Goals

Will Chicken Wing Shortage Open Doors for More Pig Wing Sales?

 

Latest News

Why You Need to Understand How USDA Purchase Programs Work
Why You Need to Understand How USDA Purchase Programs Work

With pork producers facing prolonged economic headwinds, recent USDA commodity purchases of pork offer relief at pivotal times. It’s important to understand how these programs work, says NPPC president Lori Stevermer.

Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Now that the mystery illness impacting some dairy herds has been revealed as the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that has been impacting the U.S. poultry flock, pork producers are asking questions.

Merck Introduces Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte Adjuvant Prescription Vaccine
Merck Introduces Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte Adjuvant Prescription Vaccine

Merck Animal Health announced it has received license approval from the USDA for Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte adjuvant prescription vaccine for use in gilts and sows. 

What Does the Next Generation of the Pork Industry Want?
What Does the Next Generation of the Pork Industry Want?

It’s easy to make assumptions about what others think, but recent research funded by the Indiana Pork Producers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance proves it’s always better to go to the source itself.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

5 Ways to Improve Sow Longevity
5 Ways to Improve Sow Longevity

The potential for a successful sow starts well before the sow is first bred. Here are five ways you can improve sow longevity by focusing on the gilt from weaning until the time of first breeding.