Source: MEATINGPLACE, 5/21/14
 
Tyson Foods is accepting pigs that are up to 15 percent heavier and will reduce hog slaughter and pork production levels more than usual this summer as the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus continues to take its toll on supplies, company officials told Reuters Wednesday.

Farmers are producing pigs at record-high weights to compensate for the reduced supply, Steve Stouffer, president of Tyson’s fresh meats division, said, speaking to the news service on the sidelines of an investor conference in New York. Tyson is seeing hogs that weigh about 295 pounds, which is 10 to 15 percent heavier than usual, he said.

Tyson will reduce hog slaughter and pork production levels more than usual during July through September, when supplies are expected to be lowest, Chief Executive Donnie Smith was quoted as saying.

Decisions on production levels will be made week to week, and Tyson is also communicating with retail customers to try to prevent promotions on certain cuts that may be in shorter supply, the executives said.
Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson confirmed for Meatingplace that Smith provided these comments to Reuters after the presentation.

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