“It’s a pretty tumultuous time,” said Brian Duncan, vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau. “We’re trying to hang on to some profits.”
The country has lost more than half of its pig heard to African swine fever, according to some estimates.
Some countries stockpile grain and petroleum. China has both, plus a national pork reserve.
"I think the psychology has negatively impacted the hog market," one Illinois farmer says.
In which we all learn what "boar taint" means.
China has imposed tough restrictions on live pigs imports from the U.S.
The virus is deadly for piglets less than a week old. Suspected to come from China, it does not affect humans.
The fast-food giant will move away from tightly packed chickens and pigs within five years. Farmers and consumers will feel the impact.
