US pork exports expected to climb 4.6% - USDA ERS

Mar 26, 2024

US pork exports are forecast to increase almost 4.6% over 2023 due to higher domestic production and less global competition from the European Union, according to a recent market report from the USDA Economic Research Service.

The first-quarter commercial pork production is raised 30 million pounds to 7.2 billion pounds on higher-than-expected February production.

Total 2024 commercial pork production is expected to be 27.9 billion pounds, up 2.2% from a year ago. Live equivalent prices of 51-52% lean hogs are forecast to average about $61 per cwt, 3.7% above prices in 2023.

Pork exports for 2024 are raised 50 million pounds on strong demand from major importing countries and weakening competitiveness of EU pork due to lower production and higher prices. Total 2024 pork exports are expected to be 7.1 billion pounds, 4.6% above year-ago shipments.

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Video: WARNING! Rough Start To Breeding Season!!

WARNING! Sheep Breeding Season Begins With A Bang! Breeding season is officially underway at Ewetopia Farms, but it didn’t exactly start the way we planned!

This vlog begins with us sorting through our rams to find the perfect match for a customer’s breeding program. What should have been routine quickly turned dangerous when one of our more nervous rams panicked. In seconds, Arnie’s knee was injured, and then I was slammed hard onto the concrete floor — both of us taken down by one ram!

Thankfully, it was just bruises, but it’s a reminder of how unpredictable and powerful mature rams can be. Once we recovered, it was time to get back to the real work — the start of breeding season.

We sorted the ewes into four breeding groups (two Suffolk and two Dorset), checking parentage as they ran through the chute, deworming those that needed it, and setting aside thinner ewes for session two of breeding season in a month’s time.This staggered approach keeps lambing organized and prevents overcrowding in the barns.

From rogue rams to the excitement of new breeding groups, this episode is full of action. Stay tuned for the next vlog, where we’ll share how we chose the rams for each group!