December hog prices provided somewhat of a relief for farmers after three straight months of marketing losses.
Ron Plain of the University of Missouri notes November marketings for U.S. hogs came in at an average loss of $35.52 per head.
He points out that's the biggest monthly loss since March of 2013.
Last week's holiday-shortened American hog slaughter was down 3.2 per cent from the week before but still up 2.1 per cent on last year.
Plain reports the national negotiated barrow and gilt price was down 45 cents last week.
Lean hog futures were up once again though.
February's contract gained $2.95 while April picked up $2.20.
