Lean Hog Futures Trading Higher

December lean hogs are trading at 41.57, up 0.47 cents/lb. February lean hogs are trading at 48.32, up 0.30 cents/lb. Lean hog futures are trading higher just after the open. Market chatter about the firm trade in cattle, consumer demand and ample hog supplies has kept both buyers and sellers active. Thursday's USDA estimated hog slaughter was 441,000 head. The total for the week is now 1.763 million head, versus 1.588 million last week at this time and 1.659 million a year ago. U.S. pork production for the week ending October 8th was 509.4 million pounds versus 514.8 million pounds the previous week and up 5.4 percent from a year ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) monthly Cold Storage report is scheduled for release at 3:00 p.m. ET.