News

U.S. hog herd expansion continues

The USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs indicates the continued expansion of an already record large U.S. herd. That expansion has largely been because of expectations for strong pork demand, but steady at best domestic interest and tensions with some top U.S. trading partners have pushed pork supplies higher, with many producers and processers both seeing losses.

As of June 1st, the U.S. herd was 73.451 million head, up 3% on the year, with 3% increases for the breeding and market inventories, at 6.210 million and 66.728 million head, respectively. By weight, market hogs weighing less than 50 pounds were 21.387 million head and the 50 to 119 pound inventory was 19.388 million, each up 3% from a year ago, while the 120 to 179 pound category was 14.198 million head and the 180 pound and heavier inventory was 12.157 million, both up 4%.

The March to May pig crop was the largest on record at 33.167 million head, with a record number of pigs saved per litter at 10.63 head, and if producers follow through on the USDA’s projected farrowing intentions, the U.S. herd will continue to expand, with June through August and September through November intentions both expected to be up 2%.

47% of the domestic inventory on June 1st were contract hogs, 1% less than a year ago.