News

USDA hog inventory numbers out Thursday

The USDA’s next set of Quarterly Hogs and Pigs numbers is expected to confirm another record domestic supply.

On average, the total U.S. swine herd on March 1st is expected to be up 3.4% on the year, more than 77 million head, with all the major categories projected to be above a year ago, including the breeding and market herds, winter farrowing and pig crop totals, and spring and summer farrowing intentions.

All of that is in industry response to demand expectations, including strong export demand from China as that country rebuilds its’ domestic herd after widespread losses caused by African swine fever.

The numbers are out Thursday at 3 Eastern/2 Central.