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U.S. hog inventory up 4% on year

The USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs report has a number of new record highs.

On March 1st, the total inventory was a new all-time of 70.976 million head, up 4% on the year, market hogs were a new record at 6.908 million head, also up 4% on the year, and the breeding herd was 6.068 million head, 1% higher than a year ago.

By weight, the 50 pound and under category was 20.617 million head and 50 to 119 pounders were 17.902 million, both up 4%, while the 120 to 179 pound category was 14.570 million head and hogs 180 pounds and heavier were 11.819 million head, both 5% higher.

The December through February pig crop was 31.4 million head with the average pigs saved per litter during that period a new all-time high at 10.43. March through May farrowings are seen at 3.01 million head and June through August intentions are pegged at 3.045 million.

The USDA also revised the September 1st inventory and June through August farrowings, up 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively, reflecting higher than expected slaughter rates and some industry sentiment that the USDA had previously underestimated those figures. The USDA didn’t change the December 1st inventory figure.

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