"The U.S. hog herd shrank more than anticipated in the March-May quarter as a deadly pig virus swept through farms, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed on Friday.

The data also showed that despite higher hog prices in the wake of the deadly Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), producers had not expanded herds as much as expected, analysts said.

USDA's data suggest hog numbers will remain tight through the rest of the year, sustaining already high prices for hogs and pork during the period, said analysts."

Theopolis Waters reports for Reuters June 27, 2014 [2]