June 30, 2006
                     

I am going to apologize for the last 2 months for not
writing my article. I have been busy with baseball and
also traveling to college baseball games.  My season
is starting to wind down and we only have 7 games left
and then the tournament starts.  I have some time now
and will get you caught up as much as possible.  Since
the weather has gotten hotter,  we have seen the
weight come off the pigs and numbers are starting to
dwindle.  The market quickly moved into the low $80's
and the packer is answering this by cutting kills.
This normally happens in July and August but
fortunately it is happening now.  Take advantage of
these prices and keep moving the hogs to market even
if you drop 5 to 10 pounds per head.  You'll be
farther ahead in the long run.  The pork trade has
been moving higher and so we should see good demand
for our hogs for at least the next 30 days plus. 
I have been trying to hold my weights at 260 lbs. to
270 lbs.  Keeping the hogs at this weight is the
optimal weight for all the packers.  It is getting
more difficult to reach these weights because when you
got to move the pigs you move the pigs.  I have
noticed also that it is taking more time to get them
to market.  All these facts point to higher market and
don't let the packer tell you any different.

The Canadian hog numbers for the week ending 5/27/06
are:  Slaughter hogs -10% for the year and feeder pigs
+15% for the year.  These numbers explain why the
market is higher.

The grain market is in summer mode.  Talk of drought
in our area is about all you hear but you don't have
to go far to get where it is wet (out East).
Everything is being traded on the weather and we still
have a couple more months to lose the "Crop".  It
happens every year.  Prices quoted to Lakeside are:

Corn:  $1.92 to $2.05
Meal:  $177.00 to $183.00

Feeder pigs prices for the week ending June 16Th was
$28.59 to $38.62 for Sews with an average of $33.01.
The 40 lb. pigs were running $47.00 to $57.50 for a
weighted average of $53.26. The break-even this last
week for a 50 lb. pig to market using these prices is
$60.00.  These prices need to come down more to make
them work on the board but they probably won't because
of the demand.  If you have pigs for sale or need some
to buy give me a call at 712-657-2207 or 712-830-2981.

We have a few nurseries open but the finishers are
getting tighter.  It probably has something to do with
the slow growth rate of the pigs in the finishers and
people are adding a finisher so they can put on more
weight.  Give me a call if you need a unit or have one
for rent. 

We are also have a feeder pig and market hog contracts
that are available for Natural Pork.  We have groups
of these available to buy as feeder pigs on contract
on a per group basis.  You can turn around and sell
them on contract.  If you are interested in investing
in this give me a call.
                                                 
Send me an e-mail and let me know what you think or if
you have any suggestions you want me to put in my
article.

Don't forget to look at the Fall and Winter contracts
this summer and do some contracting or hedging.  There
will be some good opportunities in the near future to
protect your bottom line for the next 6 months.  DON'T
FORGET!!!!

Baseball is going strong with the College World
Series, High School Baseball, and all the teams
playing every night.  Take in a game with the family
and relax.  It is a good way to spend a summer
evening.  My team is playing well and I am real proud
of these boys.  They are taking time out of their busy
summer schedule to play a game with me.  It is allot
of fun and rewarding for me as well as them.

The planting season is over so take time off and enjoy
these nice days.  

Be safe and have a good week!!!!!

Jim Noethe







                                            



 

__________________________________










__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! - Internet access at a great low price.
http://promo.yahoo.com/sbc/