August 11, 2023

Not much impact on northern Missouri, US hog production expected as sow farms close, industry official says

The closure of 35 sow farms in northern Missouri, the United  States, is not expected to have much impact on Missouri's hog production, said the executive director of the Missouri Pork Association, Don Nikodim.

In a notice from the State of Missouri, Smithfield said it will close the facilities and lay off 92 employees in Mercer and Putnam Counties.

Nikodim said Smithfield Foods is expected to use newer facilities in southern Missouri to farrow pigs as the older facilities are less competitive in today's marketplace.

"They were built roughly in 1990. They're smaller, the technology is different and the wear and tear on a facility that old is significant," he added.

He told Brownfield the closures could result in fewer weaned pigs transported to Iowa.

"Instead of the Smithfield pigs traveling to Iowa, it would appear they will stay in Missouri. That's speculation, we haven't confirmed this," said Nikodim. "At this point, the finishers in northern Missouri will likely continue to operate."

He added that it's unclear if Smithfield Foods is making production changes to comply with California's Proposition 12 law, but there are a lot of companies making efforts to comply.

- Brownfield Ag News