US slaughter weights plummet

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.