Lean hog futures are trading within a dime of UNCH across the front months. Feb futures are down 22 cents so far, ahead of Friday’s expiration. Pork cutout futures are mixed but mostly higher, from down 7 cents to plus 25 cents. The Feb 5 Lean Hog Index from CME was up $1.13 to $70.40. USDA’s National Average Base Hog price was 85 cents weaker at $59.79. USDA’s National Pork Carcass Cutout Value was $86.93 in the AM report, up $2.06 on higher bellies. USDA sees pork production at 28.710m lbs in the Feb estimate, that is up 145 million from Jan. Q1 was up the most with a 95m lb increase. USDA estimated Monday’s FI hog slaughter at 498,000 head. That starts the week 15k above last week and 9,000 head above the same week last year.  

--- provided by Brugler Marketing & Management