News

U.S. hog herd continues to grow

The USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs report came out close to pre-report estimates, confirming the continued expansion of the domestic inventory.

On December 1st, the total U.S. herd was 73.230 million head, up 2% on the year, with the breeding herd 1% higher at 6.179 million and market hogs up 2%, hitting a new all-time high at 67.051 million head.

By weight, the inventory of hogs weighing less than 50 pounds was 21.447 million head, a 3% increase, and the 50 to 119 pound herd was 18.549 million, 2% higher, while the 120 to 179 pound category was 14.105 million head and hogs weighing 180 pounds and over totaled 12.949 million head, both also up 2% on the year.

The September to November pig crops was 2% above a year ago, at 3.109 million head, a little bit larger than anticipated, with pig crop of 33.339 million head, up 4%, and 10.74 pigs saved per litter, up 1% and a new record high for the quarter.

December through February and March through May farrowing intentions were also above most analysts’ estimates, at 3.070 million 3.083 million head, respectively.