Winter storm affects operations at US meat plants 

The winter storm that struck central US has halted weekend processing at some meat plants and delayed the start-up operations at others.

John Morrell, a division of Smithfield Foods, cancelled its first shift operations for Saturday (Dec 26).

Industry analysts had initially projected Saturday's hog slaughter to be from 135,000 to 140,000 head but the extended weather problems could result in a figure of only around 100,000 or less.

The disruptions in processing will carry over into this week because the hogs originally set for delivery to the plants on Saturday will have to be rescheduled. This week's work hours will be shortened as well by the New Year's holiday on Friday (Jan 1).

Analysts and brokers said that further disruptions in slaughter schedules over the weekend could weigh on cash prices this week due to the additional hog supplies that will be available.