Following are some management hints pork producers and other livestock producers can follow when livestock income decreases to or below profit levels.
Book feed ahead when feed costs are low.
Meal and corn are at very low prices and can be booked up to six months in advance. This will eliminate one of the unknown risk factors in production by stabilizing feed costs. Eliminate barren sows or small litters and poor mother animals. If the litter size falls below 8 on a sow or gilt for more than two farrowings, move her out and replace with more prolific animals. Use the futures market.