Brumm Speaks out: Strategies for summer and fall sales
Summer heat has arrived in the Upper Midwest. As happens every year, slaughter weights decline because hot pigs don't eat.
Every summer slaughter weights decline. USDA reports that for the past 10 years slaughter weights in July compared to early January are 8-9 pounds per pig lower for the Iowa/Southern Minnesota market.
One response often cited as a recommended management practice to help pigs cope with warm conditions is to give them more space. While this sounds good, the reality of production is just the opposite.
Because of seasonal infertility last summer/fall followed by a return to normal fertility patterns in the breeding herd, pig numbers in production facilities are the highest in summer months. This is why slaughter numbers are lower in summer months and peak in late fall.
This year, the early arrival of hot weather in the upper Midwest (remember the heat on Thursday at World Pork Expo?) along with the very hot temperatures in the southwest caused a rapid decline in US slaughter weights. In normal weeks, carcass weights of barrows and gilts gradually increases over the week with Friday's weight generally being 2 lb heavier than Monday and Tuesday weights.
