Hog & Pig Farming

Hog & Pig Farming

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry raise hogs and pigs. No major companies dominate the industry.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven primarily by domestic and international trends in pork consumption. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations and reducing the spread of disease. Large companies have advantages in vertically integrating operations from birthing to packaging and distribution. Small operations, typically family-owned farms, can compete by specializing in a single stage of hog farming or by raising animals that are humanely treated, antibiotic-free, or otherwise tailored to buyers' specifications. The US industry is concentrated: about 20% of farms account for about 95% of sales.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major services include farrow-to-finish; growing pigs and hogs to finishing; wean-to-finish; and breeding. Other services include farrow-to-wean and nursery operations.