What are market options in Mississippi?
Changes in the pork markets in Mississippi over the last several years:
Feeder Pigs
Previously, feeder pig associations provided a market in several locations throughout the state for co-mingled feeder pigs. Changes in the demand for these pigs resulted in the closure of all of the feeder pig association sales.
Farm to farm sales are still an option for some producers. This is normally a verbal agreement between the feeder pig producer and a pig finisher.
Local Livestock Auction barns provide a market for pigs in various locations throughout the state. These markets are variable and may not provide a long-term demand for pigs.
Early Wean (pigs less than 21 days of age) marketing contracts. There are a few marketing agreements offered to pork producers in Mississippi. Each of these have different requirements and obligations. A review of three separate marketing agreements for early-weaned pigs is being conducted at this time.
Finishing Pigs
There is a large pork processor located in West Point, Mississippi. Pigs can be sold on a live weight basis or on a carcass merit basis.
Throughout the state, there are several custom meat processors that purchase finished pigs. Depending upon your location and volume of production, these may be a good market.
For small-scale production, local selling of pigs for home consumption provides a means of marketing finished pigs.
Local Livestock Auctions in various areas of the state sell finished pigs on a weekly basis.
Publications
News
VERONA, Miss. -- Producers come across issues each season that need to be addressed, whether they require new research on a problem or a commodity specialist who can help identify timely solutions.
For those people, February is the month to speak up. Specialists and scientists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station are available specifically for them at three different MSU Research and Extension Center locations throughout the state during annual Producer Advisory Council meetings.
VERONA, Miss. -- Each February, agricultural producers in Mississippi speak, and personnel with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station listen.
Producer Advisory Council meetings present opportunities for growers to meet with MSU commodity experts and share ideas for research and educational projects.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Each February marks the occasion for producers to share their research and programming needs with Mississippi State University agricultural specialists in person.
To comply with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the opportunity will be extended virtually this year.
Agricultural clients met with Mississippi State University personnel to discuss research and education needs during the annual Producer Advisory Council Meeting for the southwest region February 20.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Low feed costs and steady demand are keeping the playing field level for Mississippi swine producers, but the bottom line at year’s end will be down from 2014 totals.
Mississippi’s value of production for hogs was $153 million last year. No estimates are available for 2015, but hog prices have been much lower than they were in 2014, while hog numbers were higher at the first of the year.
