Pork Prices Fall, Pig Population Up
Thornton, IA- Pork production is a proud tradition that stretches back several decades in Paul Willis' family. These days the trend is to create large, confined herds but the Thornton man is sticking to the way he knows how to raise hogs, outdoors.
"I just like raising pigs in that particular way," said Willis.
Willis runs what's know as a Niman Ranch. His company specializes in raising animals in a free range style. The pigs are kept outdoors and anti-biotic free.
"We distance ourselves quite a bit from the comodity business," said Willis.
The price of pork has plummeted nearly 40 percent over the past year, meanwhile other costs continue to rise.
"We have been affected by different input prices," said Willis.
Although Willis is feeling a little pinched, he says confinement operations are doing worse and they are part of the price problem.
"Iowa has too many confinements, too many pigs, that's why the price is low," said Willis.
The pig farmer believes the amount of pigs being produced in the state needs to drop about 10 percent. He says that's the only way the prices are going to rebound.
In the meantime, Willis believes he's got job security. His farm is producing a niche product and he predicts the market for his hogs is only going to keep growing.
"We need more farmers and more pigs our market is expanding," said Willis.
