USDA Reports Smaller Hog Numbers

WASHINGTON - Mar 28/03 - SNS -- The number of hogs on hand in the United States as of March 1 totalled 58.1 million head, down 2% from the previous year's total and the previous quarter.

Breeding inventory, at 5.96 million head, was down 4% from March 1, 2002, and down 1% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 52.2 million head, was 2% below last year and 3% below last quarter.

The December 2002-February 2003 U.S. pig crop, at 24.4 million head, was 2% less than 2002, and 2% more than 2001. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.77 million head, 2% below last year.

The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 46% of the breeding herd. The average pigs per litter was 8.81 pigs saved per litter for the December 2002-February 2003 period, compared to 8.74 last year. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 7.60 for operations with 1-99 hogs to 8.90 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here