Hog futures are trading lower at midday. The lack of new information in both outside markets and the hog complex has left traders seemingly directionless at the end of the week. Markets will remain closed Friday due to Good Friday and the upcoming Easter weekend. Hog slaughter will also remain moderately subdued Friday and Saturday, and traditionally, next Monday has limited processing runs also, which, given the current amount of market-ready hogs, will limit cash buying intensity by packers over the next week. This is in part focused on current supply, and outside economic concerns, which may impact pork demand through the end of the year.

Cash hog prices on the National morning report are unreported, the morning cutout value is higher.

The Canadian Dollar is trading higher against the US dollar at midday.

For the week ending April 3, the Western Hog Exchange OlyWest 20 weekly price is $2.26/kg dressed, the OlyWest 21 weekly price is $2.33/kg dressed and the BP4 price is $2.23/kg dressed. This is Pat Matthezing reporting from the Western Hog Exchange.