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 74.512 99.8 100.5
Kept for Breeding 5.980 99.4 97.3
Kept for Market 68.532 99.8 100.8
Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group
Under 50 Pounds 21.301 99.7 104.2
50-119 Pounds 19.032 99.6 99.9
120-179 Pounds 15.700 99.7 99.7
180 Pounds and Over 12.499 100.5 98.0
Pig Crop
Dec-Feb 33.701 99.8 103.6
Hogs & Pigs March 1 Inventory Estimates
Hightower Low High
All Pigs 101.0% 100.2% 101.9%
Kept for Breeding 100.2% 99.9% 100.7%
Kept for Market 100.9% 100.2% 102.0%
Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group
Under 50 Pounds 101.4% 100.4% 102.4%
50-119 Pounds 101.3% 100.3% 102.3%
120-179 Pounds 101.0% 99.9% 102.3%
180 Pounds and Over 100.0% 99.0% 101.3%
Pig Crop
Dec-Feb 101.1% 99.9% 102.1%

Highlights

The USDA Hogs and Pigs report showed the March 1 US hogs and pigs at 74.512 million head (record high for March 1 inventory was 76.104 in 2020), 99.8% of last year versus an average trade expectation of 101% and a range of 100.2% to 101.9%. The number of head kept for breeding was 5.980 million, 99.4% of last year versus 100.2% expected (range 99.9%-100.7%), and market hogs were 99.8% versus 100.9% expected (range 100.2%-102%). Market hogs under 50 pounds came in at 99.7% of last year versus the average trade expectation of 101.4%, 50-119 pounds 99.6% versus 101.3%, 120-179 pounds 99.7% versus 101%, 180 pounds and over 100.5% versus 100%. The December-February pig crop came in at 99.8% of last year versus an average trade expectation of 101.1% expected (range 99.9%-102.1%).

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.

optional tags
topic/economic-research, topic/product-research
Upcoming Events