A good laboratory for the problems was in 1998-99, when we saw hog prices fall to 8 cents a pound.

This control of the process allows the big companies to withstand lower hog prices, because they can make it up on the retail end.

But they said hog prices and farm foreclosures were more important than caucuses.

But it said hog prices increased slightly after the sharp price break from October to November.

Tougher regulations come at a time when hog prices have ranged from poor to catastrophic.

The gain in hog prices since last month was $3.50 and followed a $3.40 increase from March to April.

The latest increase brought the hog price to the highest level since last September.

Forecasts for higher hog prices also aided the tone, traders said.

When hog prices were high, farmers would breed more hogs.

"The key to the company's near-term profitability is hog prices," he said.