Lawrence, John D.; Wang, Erda

Agribusiness: An International Journal Vol. 14 no. 6 (November/December 15 1998): 453-465.

A survey of Iowa farmers who quit raising hogs between 1991-1997 quantified the demographics of the enterprises and operators, motivations for leaving, and prospects for re-entering hog production. The median enterprise size was 500 head marketed a year, yet hogs accounted for 40% of farm income. While 30% increased another enterprise or off-farm employment, 45% reported simply working less. Economic forces were cited for quitting hogs, but over 80% of the farmers did not know their cost of production. Higher operating margins and restrictions on competition were needed before these farmers would produce hogs again.