News

USDA reports U.S. hog inventory slightly higher year over year

The USDA says the total number of hogs and pigs is up slightly on the year, but is down 1 percent from the previous report.

Breeding inventory is down 1 percent from last year and down slightly from the previous quarter.  However, the December to February pig crop is up 1 percent from the previous year and the average pigs saved per litter was a record 11.9. 

Sows farrowing were down 1 percent from the previous year and represented 47 percent of the breeding herd.  US hog producers expect nearly 2.9 million sows to farrow during the March to May 2026 quarter, that’s up slightly from the actual farrowings during the same time frame last year, but down 2 percent from the same period in 2024. 

The number of hogs under contract on larger operations represented 53% of total U.S. inventory.

Analysts call the report neutral for futures prices.