Lean Hog Futures Little Lower

Monday's USDA hog slaughter was 432,000 head versus a year ago at 407,000 head. Lean Hogs futures came under pressure early during Monday's trading session on fears of increased price competition from poultry. A few poultry farms in the U.S have been quarantined because of bird flu. Traders became concerned that exports of poultry may be impacted, leaving more lower priced protein available domestically. April Lean Hogs were able to recover some of the losses late in the trading session and settled a little lower. April Hogs settled at 66.07, down 0.05. June Hogs settled at 79.30, down 0.75.