Pork Checkoff: Grant: Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability and Market Value

$20 million grant available to Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri pork producers to advance climate-smart agriculture practices.

In September 2022, the Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability and Market Value grant submitted by National Pork Board (NPB) and six collaborating organizations was awarded $20 million through USDA’s Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities program.

The grant program is designed to increase the sustainability of U.S. pork products by advancing climate-smart agriculture practices in Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri...

Short Holiday Week Drives Volatility but Hog Supply Picture Remains Tight for Now

Slaughter numbers should be near the highest levels for the year and will be at least 100k head/week lower in Jan/Feb. This should bolster prices for some fresh pork items, such as loins and butts.

Steiner and Company produces the Profit Maximizer report on behalf of National Pork Board based on information we believe is accurate and reliable. However neither NPB nor Steiner and Company warrants or guarantees the accuracy of or accepts any liability for the data, opinions or recommendations expressed...

Real Pork Gets Real Results

Real Pork is the industry’s trust and image brand — it's how we differentiate pork from alternatives. NPB has promoted Real Pork in three key areas this year.

Real Pork is about leading the conversation with consumers and growing its future.

Recognizing what’s real about pork helps the industry bust myths about pig production. It also conveys pig farmers’ commitment to sustainability and promotes the nutritional value and usability of pork.

Today’s Sustainability Grows Tomorrow’s Pork
More than ever, consumers are choosing food products that are both nutritious and sustainable. NPB’s mission is to...

Fresh Pork Prices Drift Lower as Ample Chicken Supply Offsets Pork/Beef Decline

Fresh pork prices continue to be pressured lower due to increased competition from chicken breasts at retail and seasonal decline in demand.

Highlights

• Fresh pork prices continue to be pressured lower due to increased competition from chicken breasts at retail and seasonal decline in demand.
• Market for processing items is mixed. Pork belly prices are rangebound on higher seasonal supply and ample freezer inventories. Expectations are for belly prices to be higher in Q1 as supply will seasonally decline and processors will start to build inventories for...

Strong Ham Prices Underpin Hog/Pork Prices in the Near Term

Slaughter is down almost 5% from 2019, exports to Mexico are record high, turkey prices are record high and cold storage inventory is down double digits. Expect ham prices to remain firm through the holidays this year.

Steiner and Company produces the Profit Maximizer report on behalf of National Pork Board based on information we believe is accurate and reliable. However neither NPB nor Steiner and Company warrants or guarantees the accuracy of or accepts any liability for the data, opinions or recommendations expressed.

Highlights
- Hog futures were sharply...

Pork Supply Growth to Remain Limited for Much of 2023

Hog breeding herd as of September 1 was estimated down from the previous quarter as well as 0.6% lower than a year ago. The pig crop through next Feb is expected to decline y/y, suggesting no supply growth through next summer.

Steiner and Company produces the Profit Maximizer report on behalf of National Pork Board based on information we believe is accurate and reliable. However neither NPB nor Steiner and Company warrants or guarantees the accuracy of or accepts any liability for the data, opinions or recommendations expressed...

NPB and Partners Receive $155 Million from USDA Climate-Smart Program

NPB is a collaborator on three separate grants awarded by USDA that support climate-smart pork production.

The National Pork Board (NPB) is the lead of one and a collaborator on two grants receiving $155 million in USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding announced Sept. 14, 2022.

The three grants are part of the $2.8 billion awarded to 70 selected projects in the first round of funding for the program.

“Pork producers stand out as leaders in sustainability with the data aggregation tools they have..." 

Country Music Superstar Luke Bryan Goes Back to His Roots to Support Pig Farmers

As part of its ongoing effort to dispel common misconceptions about modern pig farming, the National Pork Board is teaming up with country music superstar and five-time Entertainer of the Year winner, Luke Bryan. Drawing on his childhood upbringing on a Georgia farm, Bryan understands and appreciates the hard work more than 60,000 pig farmers across the United States put in every day.

“I have so much respect for pig farmers,” said Bryan. “I know how hard they work – from sun-up to sundown...

Pork Prices Drop, Offer Feature Opportunities for Post Labor Day Needs

Due to the seasonal increase in supply, a slowdown in export sales and inventory depletion, prices collapsed far more quickly than expected.

Steiner and Company produces the Profit Maximizer report on behalf of National Pork Board based on information we believe is accurate and reliable. However neither NPB nor Steiner and Company warrants or guarantees the accuracy of or accepts any liability for the data, opinions or recommendations expressed.

Highlights
- While we expected pork prices to be lower in the fall, prices collapsed far more quickly than we thought...

Pork Prices Remain Firm on Lower Y/Y Slaughter, Tight Spot Supplies

Highlights
- Tight hog supplies and shrinking margin forced packers to limit slaughter on Friday and Saturday. In the near term this will tend to keep pork prices elevated but eventually we think the seasonal increase in supply will catch up with the pork market.
- Expectations are for processing items (hams, bellies, trim) to move lower into September as hog slaughter should be about 200k head/week higher than currently. Cooler temperatures should also result in higher hog weights.
- Fresh pork prices are finding some near-term support given...

Seasonal Supply Lows Pressuring Spot Market Prices

Supplies are in line with the projections from the latest hog inventory data. Market participants seem surprised by the seasonal shortfall. Hog and pork prices are firm in the near term.

- Hog slaughter was under 2.3 million head for the 5th consecutive week. While supplies are in line with the projections from the latest hog inventory data, nonetheless market participants seem surprised by the seasonal shortfall. Hog and pork prices are firm in the near term.
­ Lower than expected pork prices in May and June appear to have bought some demand in July and... 

Pork Checkoff: Mixed Signals in the Market as Some Items Struggle, Others Trade Firm

The cure for high prices is high prices — lack of features and ample inventory cause prices to adjust and create future opportunities.

Highlights
• Following the record-breaking levels of a year ago, backribs are now at the lowest levels of the past five years. Prices may need to stay low for a bit longer to “buy” some demand from retail and foodservice. For operators, current prices present excellent feature opportunities.

• Pork prices were firm at the end of the week on seasonally lower slaughter as well...

USDA Data, Climate & Weather Driving Markets

The June webinar covered domestic weather patterns and predictions, global events in crop and livestock markets and the most recent USDA Hogs and Pigs Report.

The National Pork Board uses Pork Checkoff funds to provide operational value to pork producers, crop farmers and other stakeholders through educational materials and other resources, which includes a webinar series.

On June 29, NPB welcomed experts Andrew Thut from IBM, Erin Borror from U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and Altin Kalo from Steiner Consulting Group to speak to producers about domestic weather patterns and predictions...

NPB Elects New 2022-2023 Officers

The new NPB officers will lead the 15 producer directors that represent the 60,000 U.S. pig farmers who pay into the Pork Checkoff.

Indiana pork producer Heather Hill was elected to serve as president of the National Pork Board (NPB) for the 2022-2023 term. NPB’s 15 producer directors represent the 60,000 U.S. pig farmers who pay into the Pork Checkoff – a program funding research, promotion and education efforts for the benefit of the whole industry.

“Real Pork is about real farmers, leading efforts to ensure the public understands our product is real nutritious..." 

Cybersecurity Tips for Your Farm Business

Security experts are urging all farmers, including pork producers, to make cybersecurity a top priority for their businesses. This type of criminal activity continues to target America’s food industry.

Security experts are urging all farmers, including pork producers, to make cybersecurity a top priority for their businesses. This type of criminal activity continues to target America’s food industry.

The FBI informed the food and agriculture sector that ransomware actors are more likely to attack. The agency says agricultural cooperatives are of particular concern during critical planting and harvest seasons...

Impact of the Ukraine-Russia War on the Meat and Livestock Value Chain

Last week, National Pork Board hosted a Checkoff-funded webinar – The Ukraine-Russia War and the Meat Livestock Value Chain – to provide pork producers with an analysis of the current situation. Panelists included:

- Rupert Claxton, Gira
- Joe Kerns, Partners for Production Agriculture
- Dr. Steve Meyer, Partners for Production Agriculture

Impact of War Has Market Consequences Worldwide
Rupert Claxton shared the global economic impact of the Ukraine-Russia War on energy, fertilizer, feed and the livestock markets.

Fertilizer

Russia accounts for 13% of globally traded fertilizer value, producing...