Disease continues to cut into the region’s hog herds leaving many open barns, especially in states like Minnesota and Iowa.  Preston, Minnesota pork producer Dave Mensink says PRRS has been the biggest problem, but their sow unit was also hit by PED.

And as many operations are not repopulating their barns due to the high cost of isoweans and hog density has led to more herd health issues.

Mensink thinks the smallest herd numbers are yet to come and the high cost of feed is also limiting any hog expansion plans.

He says the lean hog futures may already be indicating that with the summer months building in a huge premium.