Ham prices and choices increase near holidays

Lower pork production going into the holiday season compared to last year won’t restrict the availability of all cuts, but prices could rise, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics.    

“The lower production is likely because several months of financial losses are beginning to take their toll on pork production,” said David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agricultural economist, Bryan-College Station. “While production efficiency — more pigs per litter — have offset fewer sows, it looks as though fewer sows farrowing is starting to show up in a reduced amount of hog slaughter and overall production.”

Retail hams, at $4.60 per pound in September, were 3 cents per pound higher than last September. But that was the lowest retail price since June. 

Now, Anderson said, as the holidays approach, ham demand and associated wholesale prices are increasing. Wholesale 23-27-pound trimmed hams have hit $0.95 per pound, their highest price in several months.

Ham’s popularity second only to turkey

Ham is the most popular holiday dinner protein after turkey, said Davey Griffin, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension meat specialist in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station.

“Although available year-round, 70% of ham sales are recorded in the current 13-week holiday season,” Griffin said. “To provide and accommodate holiday ham sales, retailers ‘book’ holiday hams months in advance to take advantage of lower pricing that allows many to include hams in their holiday features.”

Griffin said that according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture data, there should be no problem finding holiday ham or other pork selections for purchase.

The National Pork Board estimates approximately 318 million pounds of ham will be consumed on Christmas.

When it comes to buying a holiday ham, Griffin said the choices have certainly risen over time, with consumers opting for both traditional and new ham types and flavors.

“Bone-in hams — whole, butt and shank halves — still lead consumer choices,” he said. “But spiral sliced and boneless whole, half and quarter hams are available to consumers not wanting the volume, lacking slicing skills or trying to avoid the added time involved with cooking bone-in counterparts.” 

Griffin said those marketing and selling hams have also developed additional flavors to satisfy consumers’ growing interests. In addition to traditional hickory-smoked and brown sugar- flavored hams, consumers may now find options such as honey, black forest, maple, applewood, salted caramel or even pineapple-flavored hams or glazes.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Central

Light showers brought up to 1 inch of rainfall, but conditions remained very dry. No frost was observed, and mild temperatures prevailed. Some producers considered planting late winter grazing if additional rain fell. Some small grains responded to the rainfall by germinating and emerging. Producers were able to put away plenty of hay this year and some supplemental feeding was carried out. Livestock were in good condition.

Rolling Plains

The week brought much-needed rainfall across the district, with totals ranging from 3 to over 8 inches, significantly improving soil moisture. Most tanks were refilled, and winter wheat planting was set to resume once the fields dried sufficiently. The rain also spurred winter grass growth in pastures, benefiting crops and livestock. Some farming activity was limited due to wet conditions, but the moisture helped dry-seeded wheat germinate. Peanut harvests were delayed by another week, and cotton harvests remained stalled. Some fields were destroyed after insurance inspections. Muddy roads hampered livestock movement, but fall calving was expected to wrap up soon. The rain improved conditions for wildlife food plots, which were growing rapidly.

Coastal Bend

Scattered showers brought rainfall amounts from a trace to nearly 2 inches, helping forage in some areas. Fieldwork has mostly stopped due to wet conditions. Some winter pasture planting began where the most rain was received. Hay feeding continued on heavily stocked pastures. Some ratoon crop rice was harvested on the limited second-crop acreage. Temperatures continued to stay in the 90s and overall dry conditions persisted, significantly affecting winter pasture preparation and planting. Livestock remained in good condition. Pecan yields were too low in most bottoms to justify harvesting.

East

The district received some much-needed rainfall with some areas getting over 3 inches of rain. The added moisture greatly improved growing conditions. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor to fair. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with some supplemental feeding taking place.

Southeast

Some counties received a good amount of rain while soil moisture remained low in other counties. Some producers were busy planting winter pastures, while oats and winter crops began to grow in others. In Burleson County, the cotton harvest was wrapping up, and the wheat looked good. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied throughout the region. Soil moisture levels also varied throughout the region. Oats and winter wheat were planted and emerged in varying conditions. One county had all soybeans harvested and 95% of cotton harvested, with the upland cotton rated 50% fair and good.

South Plains

Significant rainfall was received across the area, with totals ranging from 2-3 inches, and up to 4 inches in some locations. This rain provided a much-needed boost to winter forage crops. Some plowing behind the peanut harvest was completed, but most of the work was stalled. Cotton still needed to be harvested as soon as conditions dried up, and there was a concerted effort to finish the harvest before more cotton was impacted by the rain. Cattle were in good condition, and pasture and rangeland benefited significantly from the moisture.

Panhandle

Extended rain showers persisted over the district for multiple days, delivering much-needed precipitation to all cool-season, actively growing crops. The cotton crop harvest was put on hold until conditions allowed for sufficient drying. Late planting of small-grain cover crops on harvested cotton and silage acres temporarily stalled due to wet weather. Topsoil and subsoil moisture improved as precipitation soaked further into the soil profile. Rangeland and pastures improved. On some cropping fields, operators strategically implemented no-till or reduced-till approaches, leaving significantly greater surface residue cover during the winter season. Overall, soil moisture was adequate to surplus, and pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from good to fair. Overall, crop conditions were good to fair.

North

Counties within the district received much-needed rainfall of up to 3 inches, with cooler morning and evening temperatures over the past week. Topsoil and subsoil were adequate to short for the counties within the district, with very few at adequate to surplus. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good for most counties. Ponds leveled up just slightly but not substantially. Warm-season pastures and cool-season grasses such as wheat, oats and ryegrass responded with high emergence. Growing conditions were favorable for both types of grasses. Winter vegetables, including lettuce and radishes, progressed well. Stock tanks remained low. Livestock were in very good condition, and pastures were doing well. Fleas, lice and crickets appeared to benefit from the good growing conditions, but there were no major disease or insect outbreaks.

Far West

Temperatures were reported with highs of 85 and lows of 40. Most of the wheat planted in early September ran out of moisture and was nearly dead. Wheat planted at the end of September was still holding on but desperately needed rain. The cotton harvest was winding down with yields in many cases worse than expected. It was uncertain if as many bales would be harvested as in the past couple of years. Alfalfa was being baled. Pecans were losing their hulls and maturing, with some varieties being harvested while others were waiting for a freeze to drop the leaves from the trees. Pastures remained bare, with very few winter weeds to feed on. Livestock were in fair condition, and supplemental feeding continued.

West Central

Some parts of the district received rain, helping temperatures to cool off. Conditions remained wet, and some areas received 4-5 inches of rain. However, some producers were still waiting for rain to plant more small grains. The temperature remained good for growing winter grasses and wheat, though some producers delayed wheat planting to ensure armyworms had been eradicated and to ensure there was adequate moisture. Most wheat in the county had already been planted but small grains continued to struggle. Much of the cotton had been shredded, but some areas were harvesting the remaining cotton. Winter wheat was planted ahead of rainfall. Native pecans were nearly finished for the season, as shellers were no longer interested due to the high harvest cost. Early planted cotton remained in fair condition. Wheat looked good after the rains, and the planted winter wheat was expected to have a better chance of emerging and providing grazing for livestock. Many ponds were overflowing. Winter grasses and forbs began sprouting, and rangeland, pasture and winter wheat conditions improved. Fall cattle work continued and the cattle market had a strong uptrend. Cattle were in great shape heading into winter.

Southwest

Rainfall for the week ranged from 0.15 to 5 inches, with higher totals mostly in northern areas. This moisture benefited planted fields of wheat and oats intended for cool season grazing, though much of the district remained in a moisture deficit. The average precipitation was around 2 inches. Winter pastures were being planted with hopes of additional rain, but dry conditions persisted, keeping rangeland and pasture conditions poor. Grass in most areas was all but dried out, increasing the fire danger. Livestock markets showed a slight elevation and supplemental feeding was evident. Deer harvested were mostly in fair to good condition, often under supplementation as well. Whitetail deer were currently in rut and very active. More precipitation was in the forecast.

South

Temperatures dropped, and conditions became somewhat more favorable. Some rain was received in many counties though conditions were generally hot and dry with above-normal temperatures and below-average rainfall. Rangeland and pastures were doing well in some areas but were declining in others. High fire risk continued in many areas with a large fuel load as weak cool fronts began to move into the area, dropping the humidity. Topsoil and subsoil conditions decreased due to the lack of moisture. Citrus and vegetable harvesting continued. Strawberry plants were planted with growers experiencing some plant loss issues and needing to replant. Sesame was harvested, peanuts were harvested, and some small grains were planted behind the sesame and peanuts. Fall-winter vegetable planting also continued. Turfgrass production remained strong. Row crop producers were working their fields, building up rows for the upcoming growing season, and tilling and spraying to control weeds. Cool-season vegetables progressed well but were expected to lack moisture soon. Hay producers were at the last stage of completing their baling. Stock tank levels continued to drop, and beef cattle producers continued to supplement their herds. Due to drought conditions, ranchers steadily sold calves and culled further into their cow herds. Wildlife and cattle supplemental feeding steadily continued. Some began planting oats and preparing for hunting season. Wildlife began to come to the roadsides looking for forage and traveled to find water sources.