US slaughter weights plummet

Sep 11, 2023

Two weeks ago, we had a week of hot weather. The result Iowa – S. Minnesota weights went from 278.3 lb. average to 274.3 lbs. a decline of 4 lbs. average in one week. We suspect this is one of the largest weekly declines ever.

We don't think the 4 lb. decline was just because of the hot temperatures. We believe the declining hog price is because producers pushing hogs to market, they get ahead of the ongoing price drop. We also observe Packer owned hogs average weights are in similar weight range 275 lbs. They were in the 290s in April. It appears to us to keep the chain speed at desired levels Packers are pulling hogs at lighter weights. A positive sign of Pork demand.

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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.