Tyson Foods reducing hog breeding herd by 28 pct

CHICAGO, July 15 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) said poor economic conditions in the hog industry prompted it to pare its hog breeding herd by 28 percent, which will involve selling five company-owned hog farms over the next 10 weeks.

The reduction will eliminate 76 jobs in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, the company said in an email Wednesday.

It will send about 20,000 sows to slaughter over the next eight to 10 weeks, leaving it with an inventory of 50,000 sows.

The buyer of the five farms was not disclosed. (Reporting by Bob Burgdorfer; Editing by John Picinich)