Drum roll please…. What pork production companies made this year's Global Mega Producer list?

National Hog Farmer Content Director Ann Hess unveils this year's top companies June 6 in the opening session of the Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference.

Plus, Jim Long of Genesus and Dennis Smith of Archer Financial Services will provide insight as to the market trends shaping the global hog industry in 2019 and beyond. Moderated by broadcaster Max Armstrong of Farm Progress/This Week In Agribusiness, this will be a session not to miss.

National Hog Farmer's Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference is a completely digital event. All you need to do is register and tune in via your computer or mobile device on Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m. There is NO cost to you to participate.

In addition to an in depth look at the global hog industry, we'll be exploring the latest innovation happening at the barn level with an emphasis on achieving a higher level of individual animal management and increased performance and efficiency.

The past year has brought greater attention to the safety of the feed being given to pigs than ever before due to the outbreak of African swine fever in other countries. The pork industry has implemented important management practices to help secure the feed supply. But, there is still work to do as the ASF situation is fluid and ongoing research is conducted to guide decisions. We'll have Scott Dee of Pipestone; Liz Wagner of the National Pork Producers Council; Leah Wilkinson of the American Feed Industry Association, and Brooke Humphrey of Provimi for a discussion on the state of feed security and research on approaches and best practices to help mitigate your risk. Bring your questions for these experts.

Don't delay. Register today for the Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference. Already have plans for June 6? That's okay. Your registration gets you access to an archive of the event's presentations and notification as new programming is added.

Register today

Other Observations:

• Would be first time in history US corn-soybean crop failure due to to much rain- In history it was always drought. Lots of land not planted because it is too wet and it is June 1.
• We have all seen run up in corn-soybean prices in the last couple weeks. Next few days critical to acres planted and where feed prices go.
• It appears US market hog price is hovering in an area for a breakout. We understand about 100,000 carcasses combined a week from various packers are about to begin to be shipped to China. That is about four percent of US hog weekly marketings. This will be price supportive.
• The 100,000 per head if correct is just a drop in the bucket of China's Pork Shortfall. China's April Live Hog Inventory was down 60 million head year over year. That’s two million plus less hogs each week. China inventory decrease in the last 15 months equal to the US total inventory.
• China's small pigs are selling in the $135 per head range. That’s the Canary in the Coal mine for future markets. We were told when we were in China that break-even would be 24 rmb per kilo on these hogs about $1.50 US liveweight a lb.
• Sow liquidation hasn’t stopped in China. Ministry of Agriculture indicates about 700,000 decrease in April from March. Since the first of January sow herd liquidation (Jan-April), just under four million sows. The China sow herd continues to decline at an astounding pace.

Summary:

China Sow herd and hog market inventory still in a free-fall. We expect record prices in the worlds hog markets in the coming months.