USDA Report: Fewer, Larger Hog Farms There were 70% fewer hog farms in 2009 than in 1991 due to larger farm sizes

摘要

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released in late October provides some startling numbers: U.S. hog farm numbers dropped by 70% from 1991-2009, but hog farm inventories remained stable.USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) says the result has been an industry with larger hog operations, increased specialization in a single phase of production, greater reliance on purchased feed rather than homegrown grain, and increased use of production contracts.This change in the structure of the U.S. pork industry has led to higher productivity and lower pork prices.According to ERS, the declining hog farm numbers suggest that the increased size of hog operations likely led to many small, high-cost operations ceasing to exist.