Tuesday’s rally left the lean hog futures complex $0.95 to $2.57 in the black. April contracts posted a new LOC high of $78.225. The National Average Base Hog price was up a sharp $2.27 in the PM update to $58.44. The WCB base hog price was $61.92, with ECB quoted at $57.54. The 1/29 CME Lean Hog Index was up another 87 cents to $68.27. Pork cutout futures ended the session $0.50 to $1.77 higher. The National Pork Carcass Cutout Value was $1.56 weaker in the PM update to $81.10. Bellies, @$117.75, pulled the cutout down on a $9.41 drop. USDA’s estimate for Tuesday’s FI hog slaughter is 495,000 head. WTD slaughter is up 43k head on the week, but still trailing last year’s 984k pace with 978,000 head.   

--- provided by Brugler Marketing & Management