The National Pork Producers Council says strong consumer demand and export markets will be needed to support hog prices this year.

Economist Holly Cook tells Brownfield the cost of raising pigs unfortunately is below breakeven.

“We’ve seen those margins turn from positive to pretty negative over the last couple of months,” she explains.

She says feed costs are up more than 20 percent compared to a year ago and producers lost about $20 per head in December.

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