Contract finishing accounted for 52% of the U.S. hog inventory in the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs report. Contract hog finishing has continued to grow into a larger part of total U.S. pork production.

Lean hog futures were $0.60 to $1.15 higher across the front months on Monday’s close. That left the March contract 17 cents off the high for the close. USDA’s National Average Base Hog price was 34 ...