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Higher corn prices expected to drive swine finishing feed costs in 2027

An ag economist says higher corn prices are expected to increase feed costs for pork producers next year.

Michael Langemeier with Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture says finishing feed costs are expected to be 7 to 10 percent higher than 2025 through the end of this year.

“That’s anywhere from 6 to 9 percent higher than feed costs earlier this year,” he says. “The feed cost index is expected to be even higher in 2027 because if you look at the futures contract, corn prices are well above $5.”

He tells Brownfield he expects corn prices to remain relatively stable, but, “If for some reason the US yield is lower than that 178, you could see an increase of 50 cents or more,” he says. “If corn yields are actually higher, you could see a 50 cent drop in corn prices. Anything that either moves that US corn yield up or down is going to have a pretty large impact on feed costs.”

Langemeier says final crop production numbers and global weather patterns will continue to influence the commodity markets heading into 2027.

AUDIO: Michael Langemeier