Source: USDA'S ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE, 10/23/13

U.S. hog farm numbers dropped by 70 percent over 1991-2009 while hog inventories remained stable. The result has been an industry with larger hog enterprises, increased specialization in a single phase of production, greater reliance on purchased rather than homegrown feed, and greater us of production contracts. This structural change has led to higher productivity and lower pork prices.

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