US: Hogs & Pigs


December 23, 2022 02:00 CST

Hogs & Pigs December 1 Inventory Estimates
HightowerLowHigh
All Pigs98.5%98.3%98.8%
Kept for Breeding99.5%99.0%100.0%
Kept for Market98.4%98.2%98.7%
Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group
Under 50 Pounds98.5%98.2%98.8%
50-119 Pounds98.5%98.2%98.9%
120-179 Pounds98.7%98.4%99.5%
180 Pounds and Over97.9%95.5%98.6%
Pig Crop
Sep-Nov0.0%0.0%0.0%
Hogs and Pigs Report Summary - December 1 Inventory
Current
Year
Million Head
Current Year
as Percent of
Last Year
Current Year
as Percent of
2 Years Ago
All Hogs and Pigs73.11998.294.6
Kept for Breeding6.154100.599.6
Kept for Market66.96698.094.1
Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group
Under 50 Pounds21.15398.096.2
50-119 Pounds18.62098.094.6
120-179 Pounds14.09598.189.3
180 Pounds and Over13.09898.195.8
Pig Crop
Sep-Nov33.69198.796.3

Highlights
The USDA Hogs and Pigs report showed December 1 supply at 98.2% of last year versus an average trade expectation of 98.5% and a range of expectations from 98.3% to 98.8%. Kept for breeding came in at 100.5%% of last year versus 99.5% expected (range of 99.0% to 100.0%). Market hogs came in at 98% compared with expectations for 98.4% (range 98.2% and 98.7%). The September-November pig crop was 98.7% of last year versus expectations for 98.4% (range 97.9% to 99.2%).

Definition
This full-text report, issued four times yearly, presents data on the U.S. pig crop for 16 major states and the U.S., including inventory number by class, weight group, farrowings, and farrowing intentions. Pigs per litter and pig crop by quarter are also covered in the report. Data was gathered from a random sample of approximately 7,500 U.S. producers of varying sizes, though large operations were sampled more heavily.

Description
This report presents a quarterly accounting of hog and pig inventory and of the quarterly pig crop, i.e. pig production. It is the most complete information on pig supply that the USDA produces.

Inventory numbers are reported as of the first day of the month that the report is released. These numbers are not projections; they represent current supply data based on statistical surveys of hog producers. The report includes weight breakdowns, which is helpful in determining the how close hogs are to finishing and ready for slaughter. There is also a breakdown between the number that have been kept for breeding and those that will be sent to market. The kept for breeding number provides insight about herd expansion or contraction, while the market number provides information on more immediate supply. State-by-state breakdown are included as well.

In addition to the inventory numbers, the report presents quarterly pig crop, sows farrowing, and pigs per litter data. These numbers provide insight into hog production. Data on the previous two years is included, as well as forecasts for the next two quarters.