There are six major factors affecting the Ontario hog industry, say watchers of the commodity hog production scene.
Currency: the exchange rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollars.
Based strictly on price, Canadian pork is tough to sell in international markets and is even being displaced in Canada by cheap American pork. There is no sign that the Canadian dollar is going to weaken any time soon. Nor is the American dollar getting stronger as that country continues to pile up deficits and economic concerns grow.
Corn: The major feed ingredient is costly and prices show no sign of easing. Some farmers will continue to feed hogs by growing their own corn. Other will sell their crop.