After a wild ride in 2020 caused by pressure points in the supply chain and low prices across the board, Iowa livestock farmers are unsure about 2021.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty about what the size of slaughter and production will be in 2021 for hogs,” said Iowa State University Extension ag economist Lee Schulz. “I think the economic situation has improved, which would push on inventory levels a little bit stronger.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), com­mercial pork...