8/26/15 dropped -0.27 to 78.55. The "Gap" is holding steady at -11.76 with the VVVs being discounted to the index. From a historical standpoint, that is just about how much the Index tends to drop as by the middle of September.

But not always.

Some years the VVVs actually gain going into mid-September.

The six-day moving average carcass weight showed a little strength moving up to 209.42# That's -2.94# yr/yr and +5.56# over 2013. We are producing plenty of pork to meet the domestic demand but when it comes to feeding the world, we have to view things differently. Packer hogs were a bit lighter and non-packer hogs were heavier. So far this is not significant especially since packer hogs have been running quite a bit heavier. Often this time of the year when the weather gets hot, the carcass weights drop. The drop this year has been a little bit greater than some other years. Maybe this means producers are staying current in their shipments or maybe it is easier to drop from 214# than it is to drop from 209#.

Looking at my computer screen, I might just have well stayed in bed today.

Maybe tomorrow will be different.

Best wishes,

dhm