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 Pigs 75.545 100.6 100.1
Kept for Breeding 5.952 99.1 99.2
Kept for Market 69.592 100.8 100.2
Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group
Under 50 Pounds 21.866 101.0 101.4
50-119 Pounds 19.002 99.1 99.2
120-179 Pounds 14.872 100.6 99.8
180 Pounds and Over 13.852 102.8 100.2
Pig Crop
Sep-Nov 34.998 100.4 101.3
Hogs & Pigs December 1 Inventory Estimates
Hightower Low High
All Pigs 99.0% 98.3% 99.7%
Kept for Breeding 98.8% 98.2% 99.2%
Kept for Market 99.1% 98.2% 99.7%
Market Hogs and Pigs by Weight Group
Under 50 Pounds 98.7% 97.7% 99.8%
50-119 Pounds 98.8% 98.1% 99.7%
120-179 Pounds 99.0% 98.2% 99.6%
180 Pounds and Over 100.2% 98.5% 102.3%
Pig Crop
Sep-Nov 98.7% 97.7% 99.8%

Highlights

The USDA Hogs and Pigs report showed December 1 US hogs and pigs at 100.6% of last year, versus an average guess of 99% and a range of 98.3% to 99.7%. Kept for breeding came in at 99.1% of last year versus 98.8% expected (range 98.2%-99.2%). Market hogs were 100.8% versus 99.1% expected (range 98.2%-99.7%). Market hogs under 50 pounds came in at 101% of last year, versus an average trade expectation of 98.7%, 50-119 pounds 99.1% versus 98.8%,?120-179 pounds 100.6% versus 99%, 180 pounds and over 102.8% versus 100.2%. The September-November pig crop, farrowings, and pigs per litter were all unchanged from a year ago. US pork in Cold Storage was 371.27 million pounds, down from 391.758 million last year.

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.

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