Minor Hike in U.S. Hog Inventory

WASHINGTON - Jul 3/06 - SNS -- Hog inventories in the United States inched up during the quarter ending June 1, rising 1% to 60.9 million head, up slightly from June 1, 2005 and up 1% from March 1, 2006, according to the USDA.

Breeding inventory, at 6.06 million head, was up 1% from both last year and from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 54.9 million head, was up slightly from last year and up 2% from last quarter.

The March-May 2006 pig crop, at 26.3 million head, was up 1% from 2005 and up 3% from 2004. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.90 million head, up 1% from both 2005 and 2004. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 48% of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 9.08 for the March-May 2006 period, compared to 9.02 last year. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 7.60 for operations with 1-99 hogs and pigs to 9.20 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.

U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.92 million sows farrow during the June-August 2006 quarter, up slightly from the actual farrowings in 2005, but up 1% from 2004. Intended farrowings for September-November 2006, at 2.92 million sows, are up one% from both 2005 and 2004.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here