U.S. Hog Production: Rising Output and Changing Trends in Productivity Growth

by Christopher G. Davis, Carolyn Dimitri, Richard Nehring, LaPorchia A. Collins, Mildred Haley, Kim A. Ha, and Jeffrey Gillespie

The hog sector began a major transformation in the early 1990s, and since then, it has experienced productivity growth and structural change, increased output, and expanded exports. This study examined changes in hog production from 1992 to 2017. During this period, production contracts became the most common business model in hog production, and hog farms grew larger and more specialized. Technological advancements improved productivity, though changes in production costs were mixed.

Keywords: Hogs, pigs, farm management, production contracts, income statements, specialization, labor productivity, hog building capacity, Agricultural Resource Management Survey, ARMS

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