Lean Hog Futures Little Higher

February lean hogs are trading at 67.85, up 0.32 cents/lb. April lean hogs are trading at 70.32, up 0.15 cents/lb. June lean hogs are trading at 78.40, up 0.02 cents/lb Lean hog futures are trading higher just after the open. Talk about cash prices and weather is making the rounds. Wednesday's USDA hog slaughter was 436,000 head, the total slaughter for the week is now 1,304,000 head. Average weights as of January 21st were 282.4 pounds, up from 281.9 the previous week. Some chatter about trade relations with Mexico is starting to show up. There is chatter that Mexico may begin to increase their own production of pork to offset reliance on U.S. pork imports. Trading is expected to be choppy.