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Traders look for All Hogs & Pigs at 100.7% of year-ago levels.
Pork exports in terms of volume also up, but beef exports in terms of volume slips.
Also notes that drought has impacted conditions in the Midwest.
Specialist answers questions re: testing corn for feed.
United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2012 was 65.8 million head.
Drought and the impact on feed prices may be on the verge of creating a financial disaster for the pork industry and other livestock species.
In a survey of 70 large hog firms, with a total of 3.6 million sows, 17% of sows are currently housed in open pen gestation.
April is best month for beef exports in terms of value.
Warmer temps increase moisture needs, drought to remain.
This should help counter a bearish Cattle on Feed Report.
But increase in pigs-per-litter rate keeps total hog numbers above year-ago.
In terms of value, beef and pork exports climb in first quarter of 2012 compared to last year.
Higher than expected slaughter, heavy carcass weights and soft demand has dampened the normal spring hog price rally.
Shows beef and pork stocks up from month-ago.
A combination of factors has resulted in a disappointing period of financial losses this spring and summer for hog producers.
Importantly, index remains above 100 -- which still reflects expansion.
Yesterday the food super chain announced it would phase out supplier use of gestation stalls by 2022.
Says such decisions will have impacts on American farm families.
Group says food companies haven’t thought through the complexities or implications of their requests.
Says its producers are already working with animal health professionals to assure safe meat supply.
Margin changes effective August 5, 2012.
USDA says that 69,100 farms raised hogs last year, the same number as in 2010.
Report is bearish for hog market, supportive for cattle.
Report reaction should be relatively limited.