News

Hog inventory up 1% on year

USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs numbers were close to pre-report expectations.

The total U.S. herd on June 1, 2012 was 65.829 million head, up 1% on both the quarter and the year, and slightly below the average pre-report guess for a 1.3% to 2.2% increase. The breeding herd was 5.862 million head and the market hog inventory was 59.967 million head, with both of those also up 1% on the quarter and the year. Before the report, the average guess for kept for breeding was 0.7% and market hogs were expected to see a 1.4% rise.

By class, the under 50 pound category was 19.558 million head, up slightly from June 1, 2011, with the 50 to 119 pound herd at 17.531 million head, 1% above a year ago, the 120 to 179 pounders increased 1% to 12.348 million head, and the 180 pound and over inventory was slightly larger than last year at 10.530 million head.

The March through May pig crop was 29.441 million head, 1% above a year ago, with farrowings at 2.919 million head, up slightly, and average pigs per litter were a March/May record at 10.09, compared to 10.03 for March through May 2011.

June through August and September through November intentions are each projected to be down 1% from 2011.

The number of contract hogs on operations over 5,000 head was 47%, compared to 45% this time last year.