News

Quarterly report could show more hog herd expansion

The USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report is expected to show the continued expansion of an already record large domestic inventory.

Allendale Incorporated projects year to year increases in all the major categories, including significant gains in the total herd, market hogs, and breeding sows, along with the quarterly farrowings and pig crop numbers. The processing side of the industry has increased slaughter capacity in response to the record number of available animals, but disputes with major trading partners could have a big impact on demand.

Ahead of the report, Allendale expects the total herd to be up 2.9%, with a 2.1% rise in the breeding herd and 3.0% increase for market hogs. March to May farrowings might be up 2.2%, with the pig crop 3.1% larger than a year ago. June to August and September to November farrowing intentions are both expected to be around 1.8% higher.

The numbers are out Thursday at 3 Eastern/2 Central.