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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →In 2020, the 40 largest U.S. pork producers had 60,475 fewer sows than a year earlier, a 1.4% decline. The ranking covered about two-thirds of the nation’s sows. Successful Farming tied the pullback to pandemic-era restaurant and food-service closures and meatpacking slowdowns or shutdowns: producers could not move animals through their usual channels at the normal pace. The figures are historical, not a current industry ranking.
Why hogs backed up on farms in 2020
COVID-19 disrupted two connected parts of the pork supply chain. Restaurants and other food-service businesses closed or reduced activity, while meatpacking plants slowed operations or shut down. When processing capacity fell, producers had fewer places to send market-ready hogs. Animals remained on farms longer, creating a backlog and pressure to adjust production.
Contemporaneous coverage published in October 2020 captured how the disruption reached farms and markets. Brenneman Pork’s Rob Brenneman described employees falling ill and changes to farm operations; National Pork Board international marketing vice president Norman Bessac discussed export markets and worker impacts; and Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes addressed the backlog. These were perspectives on conditions at the time, not descriptions of current operations. Read the October 2020 coverage.
What the 2020 ranking showed
The 40 largest U.S. producers reduced their combined sow inventory by 60,475, or 1.4%, compared with the previous year. Successful Farming said the ranking represented about two-thirds of the country’s sows. The overall decline concealed different company responses:
#1 Best Overall
- Galvanized Steel: Made from quality galvanized steel, the hog feeder is sturdy and durable. The rust and corrosion-resistant hog feeder adapts to harsh outdoor environments, ensuring long-lasting use.
- 3.7 Bushels Large Capacity: This pig feeder comes with 3.7 bushels capacity, that easily meet the daily feeding needs of 8 adult pigs, reducing the trouble of adding feed frequently for saving time and labor.
- Rolled Edge Security Design: The rolled edge design of hog feeder avoid scratching pigs while feeding, providing a more secure feeding experience and take care of every animal's security.
- Sturdy Structure: Our hog feeder comes with metal door that keeps feed dry and ensures pigs enjoy fresh food.
- Space-Saving Vertical Design: The livestock feeder measures 23.62" L x 19.69" W x 33.07" H, which makes full use of the small farm space. The compact size combined with the vertical design help improve the overall efficiency.
| 2020 response | Number of producers |
|---|---|
| Reduced sow numbers | 16 |
| Held sow numbers steady | 14 |
| Expanded sow numbers | 10 |
Those counts and the aggregate decline come from Successful Farming’s October 7, 2020 report by Betsy Freese, which presented the ranking as a snapshot of the pandemic-disrupted year. They should not be read as current company figures. See the original 2020 report.
How producers responded
Reducing inventory to fit constrained processing
Some producers explicitly connected reductions to available or expected packing capacity. The Hanor Family of Companies president Myrl Mortenson said the reduction was made “to match the packing capacity we see going forward.” The Maschhoffs also reduced inventory; CEO and president Bradley Wolter said, “We continue to monitor the market telling us we need to remove sows from the U.S. inventory.”
Rank #2
- Galvanized Steel: Made from quality galvanized steel, the hog feeder is sturdy and durable. The rust and corrosion-resistant hog feeder adapts to harsh outdoor environments, ensuring long-lasting use.
- 2.2 Bushels Large Capacity: This pig feeder comes with 2.2 bushels capacity, that easily meet the daily feeding needs of 5 pigs, reducing the trouble of adding feed frequently for saving time and labor.
- Rolled Edge Security Design: The rolled edge design of hog feeder avoid scratching pigs while feeding, providing a more secure feeding experience and take care of every animal's security.
- Sturdy Structure: Our hog feeder comes with metal door that keeps feed dry and ensures pigs enjoy fresh food.
- Space-Saving Vertical Design: The livestock feeder measures 19.49" L x 11.81" W x 29.53" H, which makes full use of the small farm space and improves overall efficiency.
Other company accounts illustrate that reducing numbers did not mean the same thing everywhere. J.C. Howard Farms reported reducing sow numbers and described marketing or euthanizing animals. N.G. Purvis Farms said it was downsizing but had not carried out large-scale euthanasia at that time. These are company-reported circumstances from 2020, not evidence of present practices.
Expansions and regional differences
Not every producer contracted. Successful Farming reported expansions by U.S. producers AMVC Management Services and Carthage System. It also said the top five Canadian producers added 73,000 sows in 2020, with Olymel and HyLife among the growing companies. The Canadian figure describes a different geography and should not be folded into the U.S. ranking’s 60,475-sow decline.
Rank #3
- 【Large Feed Capacity】Designed to make daily feeding easier, this pig feeder holds up to 3.7 bushels of feed, providing a steady food supply for up to 8 pigs. The large storage capacity reduces refill frequency, helping you save time and labor while keeping your livestock consistently fed throughout the day
- 【Heavy-Duty Steel】Made from premium galvanized steel, this hog feeder is built to withstand demanding farm environments. It resists rust, corrosion, and everyday wear, making it ideal for long-term indoor or outdoor use. The sturdy construction provides dependable performance season after season
- 【Gravity Feed Design】The gravity-flow system automatically delivers feed as pigs eat, reducing waste and keeping feed available throughout the day. A secure top lid helps protect stored feed from rain, moisture, and debris, while the covered feeding ports keep the trough clean when not in use for better feed quality
- 【Easy Feed Management】Two feeding openings allow multiple pigs to eat comfortably at the same time, reducing crowding during feeding. The built-in side viewing window lets you quickly check feed levels without opening the lid, making it easy to plan refills and maintain a consistent feeding routine
- 【Quick to Assemble】This pig feeder is designed for fast and hassle-free assembly with clearly designed components and all necessary hardware included. Spend less time putting it together and more time caring for your animals. Once installed, it's ready to provide reliable, low-maintenance feeding day after day
Departures and uncertain capacity
The report said Maxwell Foods planned to stop producing pigs by the end of 2020 and would not appear in that year’s ranking. It described Hitch Pork Producers as exiting and in the process of being sold to Seaboard Foods, while noting that the disposition of Hitch’s sow capacity was unclear. These were developments reported in 2020; they do not establish current ownership or production status.
Why Smithfield’s figure is an estimate
Smithfield did not provide sow data for the ranking for the first time in 26 years. Its director of corporate communications, Lisa Martin, said, “We no longer make sow or other production numbers publicly available.” Successful Farming used an industry-expert estimate of 915,000 sows after a 15,000-sow decline. That total is an estimate in the report, not a figure disclosed by Smithfield.
Rank #4
- Large Feed Capacity: Item Size 14"L x 18"W x 30"H; Capacity: 2.5 bushels. Our hog feeder can hold up to 6 hogs eating daily. You will never worry about frequently filling the food
- Easy to Install: Our pig feeder is pre-installed with all nuts, saving you time and labor. You only need to finish the structure with screws in minutes
- Humanized Design: The upper top door can be opened from the front and the back sides. If you install it on the back side, it won't disturb the hogs to eat.
- Premium Material: BUYYAH's hog feeder is made of high-quality metal, which is stable, weatherproof, and not deformed. There are 4 metal reinforcement columns around the interior corners, ensuring to be used for years to come
- Well Accepted By Farmers: This pig feeder can be used indoors and outdoors. The feed door has curved sides to prevent water and pests, keeping the food clean and hygienic
The report also quoted Smithfield executive vice president of hog production Brady Stewart: “Earlier this year, after identifying an opportunity to improve our business by reallocating pig flows within our system, we executed the closure of multiple sow farms in Missouri. We will continue to consider ways to improve our hog production operations.” The statement describes the company’s explanation at the time.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the figures can—and cannot—tell you
- The 60,475-sow reduction is the combined year-over-year change for the 40 largest U.S. producers in the 2020 report, not a measure of all U.S. pork production or a current inventory count.
- The ranking’s company responses varied: 16 reduced, 14 were steady, and 10 expanded. The aggregate decline therefore does not mean every major producer cut capacity.
- Smithfield’s 915,000-sow figure was an outside estimate because the company did not submit data; it is not directly comparable in status to company-reported numbers.
- The report described opposing claims in a dispute between Maxwell Foods and Smithfield. Those allegations and denials should be treated as claims made by the parties, not established findings.
A separate company news index confirms the report’s framing as an exclusive ranking of the 40 largest U.S. pig producers, but does not turn the 2020 snapshot into a current ranking. View the company news index.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Heavy Duty Steel Construction: Crafted from premium galvanized steel, this hog feeder is built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. The rust-resistant and corrosion-proof material ensures long-lasting durability, making it an ideal heavy duty pig feeder for farms, pastures, and outdoor livestock operations where weather exposure is a concern.
- 4 Bushel Large Capacity: With a generous 4 bushel capacity, this double door pig feeder easily accommodates the daily feeding needs of up to 8 hogs. The spacious design reduces the hassle of frequent refills, saving you valuable time and labor while ensuring your livestock always have access to fresh feed.
- Rolled Edge Safety Design: The rolled edge on the trough creep feeder eliminates sharp edges, protecting your pigs from scratches and injuries during feeding. This thoughtful safety feature provides peace of mind, especially for young piglets, while maintaining a secure and comfortable feeding environment for all animals.
- Sturdy Double Door with Feed Protection: The pig feeder features two robust metal doors that keep feed dry and clean, preventing moisture, pests, and spoilage. This design ensures your hogs enjoy fresh, uncontaminated food with every meal, while the heavy duty latch secures the feeder against tipping or damage from active livestock.
- Space-Saving Vertical Structure: Measuring 19.49" L x 11.81" W x 29.53" H, this outdoor livestock feeder incorporates a vertical design that maximizes small farm spaces without sacrificing capacity. Its compact footprint allows easy placement in pens, pastures, or barns, improving overall feeding efficiency and making it a versatile farm accessory for multi-purpose use.
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