IBP Inc announced it was cutting back production at all six of its Midwest pork plants partly due to tight hog supplies.
The company said in a statement three plants would run at 32 hours this week while three others will operate less than 30 hours. The plants had been running around 36 hours a week.
"Industry production capacity compared to the availability of hogs remains out of balance," IBP said.
The company said its plants in Waterloo, Iowa and Madison, Neb. would not operate on Saturday. Both plants have been running on Tuesday through Saturday schedules in recent months.
IBP also operates plants at Storm Lake, Perry and Columbus Junction in Iowa and in Logansport, Ind.
Company officials indicated the adjustment in hours would reduce production by an estimated 35,000 head.
The statement said the move had been made "because of the continuation of tight hog supplies, high live hog prices and slow product movement."
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