Hog Herds Need More Culling To Raise Prices

Pork producers cut their herds this month, but not enough to guarantee better prices next year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that the national inventory of all hogs and pigs on Dec. 1 was 65.8 million head, down 2 percent from both last year and Sept. 1.

Iowa's hog population dropped 3 percent from September to 19.3 million. A year ago, Iowa had 19.8 million hogs.

"I was hoping for about a 5 percent drop," said Sam Carney of Adair, president-elect of the National Pork Producers Council.

The year 2015 was just before a national election – which have major influences on policy paths, administration goals, and how farmers feel about their future.