Pig outlook: ??Lean hog futures hit 5.5 month high driven by technical bulls

Oct 21, 2024

December lean hog futures this week pushed to a 5.5-month high as the bulls remain in firm technical command. This comes despite the CME cash hog index posting a new seasonal low. The latest CME lean hog index is down 23 cents to $83.85 as of Oct. 15. Hog traders this the fall and early winter pig crop and pork production is not going to be as large as originally expected. That has led traders to tightening up December futures to the cash index, implying that the seasonal weakness this year will not be as severe as seen in the cash market the past two years.

Latest USDA and other news regarding the global pork industry

U.S. Labor Dept. probes underage worker claims at Tyson plants in Arkansas

The U.S. Department of Labor is conducting an ongoing investigation into claims of underage workers at two Tyson Foods plants in Arkansas. This comes after court documents unsealed in the Western District of Arkansas revealed accusations of child labor violations at Tyson processing facilities.

Specific allegations. A teacher at a school near the Rogers, Arkansas plant reported that a 14-year-old student discussed working at the Tyson facility for the summer. For the Green Forest, Arkansas plant, a mother overheard children between 11-13 years old discussing working night shifts from 11 PM to 7-8 AM. Investigators observed "multiple individuals whose appearance and body language indicated were potentially minor employees below the age of 16" at both locations.

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Video: Optimizing Piglet Gut Health for Performance - Dr. Marco de Mik

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Marco de Mik, Senior Consultant at Schothorst Feed Research, who explores how to enhance gastrointestinal health in piglets for optimal growth. He shares his expertise on how feed formulation, stomach function, and gastrointestinal health directly impact the pig’s growth and development. Learn how to balance nutrient absorption, reduce diarrhea risks, and optimize feed performance. Tune in on all major platforms!

Click here to read the full research article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles...

"The stomach is the first barrier to kill bacteria, and it’s crucial for storage, digestion, and antibacterial functions. All of these contribute to overall gastrointestinal health."

Meet the guest: Dr. Marco de Mik / mdemik holds a veterinary medicine degree from Utrecht University and an M.Sc. in Animal Nutrition from Wageningen University. With over a decade of experience in swine nutrition, he currently works as a Senior Consultant at Schothorst Feed Research. He specializes in feed formulation, animal physiology, and metabolism.