Prestage Foods of Iowa, which op­­ened a new pork processing plant last year in Eagle Grove, said in an interview with Successful Farming magazine last week the company will start buying hogs from independent producers starting in February.

“We have another marketing opportunity for [pro­­ducers],” said Eric Hogle, director of livestock procurement for Prestage. “When you have an extra load here and there, we can negotiate a price and get them in the door.”

Hogle said the company’s goal is to...