Pork producers can expect to see profits of around $20 per head for most of 2014, which should drive expansion of the Iowa and U.S. hog herds, Iowa State University Extension livestock economist Lee Schulz said last week at the Iowa Pork Congress.

Lower feed costs are the primary reason behind the improved profits, Schulz said.

"With this record production for crops, we’ve seen moderation in prices for corn and soybeans," he said.

Hog farmers earned average profits of $8.66 per ...