The latest count of hogs and pigs across the U.S. shows that producers have reduced their breeding herds by 6% as compared to 1998. This should be help hog producer's prices, but only late into 1999. In the meantime, hog numbers will be about equal with last year's market numbers into the fall, dropping slightly into winter. Prices will struggle into the low $40/cwt. range for summer highs and retreat slightly there after into fall. Profitable hog prices will have to wait until the year 2000 however. (John McKissick)

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