| Hogs and Pigs Report Summary - March 1 Inventory | |||
| Current Year Million Head | Current Year as Percent of Last Year | Current Year as Percent of 2 Years Ago | |
| All Hogs and Pigs | 74.571 | 100.6 | 101.8 |
| Kept for Breeding | 6.016 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| Kept for Market | 68.556 | 100.8 | 102.2 |
| Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group | |||
| Under 50 Pounds | 20.749 | 101.5 | 103.2 |
| 50-119 Pounds | 19.333 | 101.5 | 101.6 |
| 120-179 Pounds | 15.804 | 100.3 | 101.7 |
| 180 Pounds and Over | 12.670 | 99.4 | 101.9 |
| Pig Crop | |||
| Dec-Feb | 33.148 | 101.9 | 103.8 |
| Hogs & Pigs March 1 Inventory Estimates | |||
| Hightower | Low | High | |
| All Pigs | 100.1% | 98.8% | 100.9% |
| Kept for Breeding | 97.1% | 95.2% | 99.0% |
| Kept for Market | 100.4% | 99.0% | 101.3% |
| Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group | |||
| Under 50 Pounds | 101.0% | 99.3% | 102.4% |
| 50-119 Pounds | 100.5% | 97.9% | 102.3% |
| 120-179 Pounds | 99.6% | 97.0% | 101.0% |
| 180 Pounds and Over | 99.9% | 98.8% | 101.6% |
| Pig Crop | |||
| Dec-Feb | 101.4% | 100.4% | 102.5% |
Highlights
The USDA Hogs and Pigs report showed the March 1 US hog inventory at 100.6% of last year versus an average trade expectation of 100.1% and a range of expectations from 98.8% to 100.9%. Kept for breeding came in at 97.9% of last year versus 97.1% expected (range 95.2%-99%), and market hogs at 100.8% versus 100.4% expected (range 99%-101.3%). The weight categories of under 50 pounds, 50-119 pounds, and 120-179 pounds all came in above expectations. Only the heaviest category (180 and over) was lower. This may support the nearby contract against the deferreds. The September-November pig crop was 109.1% of last year versus 101.4% expected (range 100.4%-102.5%). Pigs per litter averaged 11.53 versus 11.02 last year, 104.6% of a year ago versus 103.3% expected.
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.
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.
