North American Hog Inventory Rises

WASHINGTON - Apr 26/07 - SNS -- North American hog inventories were up slightly from last year at 75.2 million head at the end of March, according to a joint report by the USDA and Statistics Canada.

Breeding inventory, at 7.69 million head, was virtually unchanged from a year ago, and from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 67.5 million head, was up slightly from last year, but down 2% from last quarter.

The pig crop, at 34.3 million head, was up 1% from 2006 and up 2% from 2005. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.75 million head, up slightly from last year.

U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2007 was 61.1 million head. This was up 1% from March 1, 2006, but down 2% from December 1, 2006. Breeding inventory, at 6.08 million head, was up 1% from last year, but down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 55.0 million head, was up 1% from last year, but down 2% from last quarter.

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