Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 3/17/14


Smithfield Foods has reduced slaughter hours at its Tar Heel, N.C., pork plant as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) has tightened pig supplies, according to a report by Reuters quoting anonymous sources.

The company, now owned by China's WH Group, cut the slaughter schedule at the world's largest pork plant to four days from five, and other pork processors in the industry are expected to make similar adjustments, according to the report.

Smithfield declined to comment, telling Meatingplace that, "Smithfield Foods has a policy of not commenting on daily operations, minor disruptions, and openings and/or closings of processing plants."

USDA estimated Friday's hog kill at 360,000 head, down from 51,000 head year on year.

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