There is a lot of uncertainty right now in most sectors of the ag industry, including swine. One group says producers are cautiously optimistic.
“It’s really been a tale of the last 24 months. We’ve gone through one of the worst downturns in this economy and this swine industry that we’ve seen probably in the last 30 or 40 years. We’ve kind of come out of that with lower feed costs, corn, soybean meal, and we see production kind of getting itself back straightened out. Guys are really optimistic about what ’25 is going to give us. The first half has been very successful, and I would say the second half, there’s a lot of cautious optimism as we continue forward. Guys are thinking very positively as we go through ’25,” said Chris Ford.
Ford says producers can do a number of things this year to stay afloat, like good bookkeeping and proper risk management, but he says there is one more important component.
“Just making sure that we’re adhering to the best and highest technology around biosecurity because production is going to be key as we go through. So those are probably the three biggest things that I encourage guys to continue to focus on going forward.”
Swine producers are not the only ones holding out hope for the rest of the year. This month’s ag economy barometer showed an improvement in producer sentiment. The strong numbers came on optimism on future trade deals.
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation plans to expand its global market presence in the New Year and says it is focusing its appeal on the growing middle class worldwide.
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Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
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December 18, 2025 11:03 AM
China’s pullback is hitting core U.S. commodities hard, reshaping export expectations for soybeans, cotton, grains, and livestock.
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Rising beef supplies and lower cattle prices, weaker hog markets, and softening dairy prices will shape producer margins heading into 2026.
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Farm Journal Foundation Senior Policy Adviser Dr. Stephanie Mercier outlines new research on the top sixteen biosecurity threats in agriculture/
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While the 2018 Farm Bill received an extension under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, the National Pork Producers Council wants lawmakers to do more to support the sector.
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Tight cattle supplies continue to drive lower beef output despite heavier weights.
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