The slaughter hog markets near midday Wednesday were reported from $0.50 to mostly $1 per hundredweight lower, and predictions for prices Thursday (today) were mostly weaker again.

Livestock dealers and market managers said despite the falling cash prices, most producers aren't panicking. A good portion of the independent producers hedged at least part of their hogs in July and August when futures prices were high enough to guarantee their operations a profit. So, these producers are receiving a good deal more money for their hogs than the current quoted prices, the dealers and managers said.