The hog industry was experiencing growth and increased profit until 2007, at which time hog prices fell and feed prices rose. Prior to that, disease pressure, like circovirus, limited pork supplies and kept prices high. The North American breeding herd has increased since 2000, as the US increased sow numbers and Canada slightly decreased. As well, there is increased productivity in today’s breeding herd. This increase in pig numbers has led to an increase in exports for both Canada and the US. Customers also have more demands from their food with food safety, humane animal treatment, and nutrition being a given. Ethanol and biofuel are in competition with agriculture for grain sources, and more farms are becoming interested in supplying ethanol. The ethanol industry also has ambitious expansion plans, so there will not be a decrease in demand (and price) for corn any time soon. Byproducts available can be used in feed, however certain ones can change carcass characteristics. While technology is expected to improve byproducts by improving the corn processing process, byproducts will be priced by what they are worth to someone so may not end up being that cheap. Other factors that may affect the pork industry growth include high oil prices, social demographic change, and increased labour costs.