EveryPig

Iowa has about 24.7 million hogs and about 3.24 million people. That's roughly 7.6 hogs for every Iowan, and about 1 out of every 3 hogs in the country. Iowa's number is down from 25.4 million a year ago, and the U.S. herd is down 2%. I don't think people understand the sheer amount of hog production in Iowa. Livestock and animal agriculture is what's kept our small town alive, and a lot of small towns across the state. Despite what people say about the hog industry, I know our town and the towns around us wouldn't be where they are without it. If you want to stimulate a rural economy, animal agriculture is the best way to do it. We contract finish hogs in four 2,400 head barns in Washington, Iowa, so a few of those are in our barns.