The USDA has released the March Quarterly Hogs and Pig Report and USDA Livestock Analyst Michael McConnell shares the details from the report. McConnell said, “As of March 1st, an estimated 74.3 million hogs were in the United States. That was fractionally higher than March 1st a year ago. 5.89 million hogs were in the breeding herd, which is 1% lower …
Review of Agricultural Commodities in First Quarter of 2026
We track 48 commodities on a daily basis at the Bottom Line Report. Grains, livestock, energies, financials, and more. Now with three months in the books as we begin the second quarter, our list showing that energy is clearly leading the way. Heating oil, crude oil, gasoline, and natural gas. One, two, three, and four on that list of 48. But right behind and …
FSIS Proposes Rulemaking On Establishment Sizes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is considering revising the definitions for establishment sizes for meat and poultry establishments, as well as egg products plants. According to a posting by the Department on X, “Small processors keep rural America running. For nearly 30 years, USDA has used outdated definitions that don’t always reflect how these businesses …
USMEF Working to Bolster In-Home Use of Pork in Mexico
The U.S. Meat Export Federation has been working to increase the consumption of pork in homes in Mexico, especially as exports to Mexico have set records for the past five years with greater demand through restaurants. USMEF Regional Director for Mexico and Central America, Gerardo Rodriguez explains, “The percentage is lower than what we thought. So we get to find …
USDA Releases Beef and Pork Production and Pricing Forecasts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the Beef and Pork production and pricing outlook for March. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski explains, “Beef production, we lowered down to 25.8 billion pounds and this reduction is just based on recent slaughter data, seeing a little bit of a slowdown in the rate of slaughter, which isn’t too surprising given the …
Grain and Livestock Futures Weaker
Grain and livestock futures remain weaker, though we think they’ll be more stable as we move toward Friday. A disappointing February soybean crush number only adds to uncertainty in the soybean complex, President Trump hinting that that March 31st meeting in Beijing could be delayed if China doesn’t help with security in the Strait of Hormuz. A delay in that meeting only delays a …
USMEF Highlights Higher Year over Year Pork Exports & Beef Variety Meats
According to the U. S. Meat Export Federation, January U.S. Pork Exports have trended higher while Beef Variety Meats topped highs in previous months. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom shares the details on Pork Exports, “Of course, last year, the last several months by Latin America, Mexico, Central America, even down into Colombia, for example. But the interesting thing about …
USMEF Highlights Near Record Pok Exports in 2025 While Beef Exports Impacted By Lack of Access To China
The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is highlighting the gains of meat exports in the USDA’s 2025 year-end data. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom provided an overview of the near record pork exports last year. “A very good month at 258,000 metric tons for the month of December. That gives us an annual total that comes in with the number …
Pork Exports Remain Strong
The National Pork Producers Pork Forum opens today in Kansas City, with the pork trade remaining strong. Pork export sales remain strong, in fact last week’s total the highest so far this year, Mexico, remaining our number one customer. CME Lean Hog Index, the highest since mid-November. April Lean Hog Futures reached a high on February the 6th, up at 99.80. Futures fell back from …
USMEF Highlights Near Record Pok Exports in 2025 While Beef Exports Impacted By Lack of Access To China
The US Meat Export Federation is highlighting the gains of meat exports in the USDA’s 2025 year-end data. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom provided an overview of the near record pork exports last year. “A very good month at 258,000 metric tons for the month of December. That gives us an annual total that comes in with the number three …










