U.S. Hog Production From 1992 to 2009: Technology, Restructuring, and Productivity Growth

by William D. McBride and Nigel Key

U.S. hog farm numbers dropped by 70 percent over 1991-2009 while hog inventories remained stable. The result has been an industry with larger hog enterprises, increased specialization in a single phase of production, greater reliance on purchased rather than homegrown feed, and greater use of production contracts. This structural change has led to higher productivity and lower pork prices.

Keywords: Hogs, pigs, farm productivity, production contracts, pork prices, scale of production, farm structure, total factor productivity, concentration, Agricultural Resource Management Survey

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