Like market hog prices, small pig values have also done well over recent month with isowean values bottoming in late summer (which is very seasonal) and feeder pigs also registering a low in late July before grinding higher into the fall.
USDA reported cash prices which are not necessarily the greatest representation of open market values, have moved 2024 to the second highest in the last 5 years, only behind 2021 for both isowean and feeder pigs (red lines). Long-term pricing graphs also shown, indicate small pig pricing in US dollars are very near the mid-range of historical values shown using a 52-week moving average. The price spikes of 2014 and 2022 can be considered outliers given certain conditions during those years, leaving current values very near the average.
Historically, small pig producers should continue to see favorable pricing through the fall and winter months carrying into the 1st quarter of 2025 based on current lean hog and feed prices.
