1. The Evolution of the U.S. Swine Industry
James W. Dunn
Professor of Agricultural Economics
Pennsylvania State University

2. The Swine Industry has Changed
In 1960s, mostly corn farmers marketing corn through hogs
Now mostly highly integrated (like poultry)

3. Hog Operations in the USA Over Time
Year
Production
Operations
Average herd
1977
52,271,120
477,115
110
1982
55,366,205
329,833
168
1987
57,563,118
243,398
236
1992
57,698,318
191,347
302
1997
60,405,103
124,883
484
2002
61,188,149
78,898
776
2007
67,786,318
75,442
899
2012
66,026,785
63,246
1,044
Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture, various years

8. Very few small herds
One of my students worked for a big integrator
One million hogs