U.S. Hog Production from 1992 to 2009: Technology, Restructuring, and Productivity Growth. Report Summary.

摘要

U.S. hog farms declined in number by more than 70 percent over the past two decades while hog inventories remained stable. The result has been an industry with larger hog enterprises, increased specialization in a single phase of production, greater reliance on purchased feed rather than feed grown on the farm, and an increased reliance on formal contractsconnecting farmers, hog owners, and packersto coordinate production. This structural change contributed to substantial productivity gains for hog farms, likely benefi ting U.S. consumers in terms of lower pork prices and enhancing the competitive position of U.S. producers in international markets though larger hog farms may increase environmental risks by concentrating production in areas with limited land available for manure application.