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.
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
·
The U.S. pork industry is staying vigilant in keeping its supply safe from foreign animal diseases like African Swine Fever.
October 01, 2025 01:09 PM
·
The campaign is about more than just a digital push; NPB leaders hope it will become a rallying point for the entire industry.
September 30, 2025 11:55 AM
·
The USDA’s August Cold Storage report shows shifting stock levels across major dairy, meat, and poultry products.
September 29, 2025 06:21 PM
·
Strong corn exports are anchoring U.S. trade, while soybean sales remain steady, but shipments lag.
September 26, 2025 04:48 PM
·
Smaller slaughter numbers across beef and pork signal tighter supplies into late 2025, while record-low veal production highlights ongoing structural changes in the sector.
September 26, 2025 04:35 PM
·
Lower inventories and cautious farrowing plans suggest tighter hog supplies into 2026, keeping producer margins sensitive to demand trends and health risks.
September 26, 2025 11:28 AM
·
Industry-wide participation in SHIP enhances biosecurity and fosters global trust in U.S. pork, says swine health expert, Dr. Christine Mainquist-Whigham.
September 24, 2025 03:32 PM
·
All eyes will be on today’s Cattle on Feed Report, which analysts say could give a clearer picture of where the market goes next.
September 19, 2025 01:01 PM
·
