NA Hog Inventory Declines

WASHINGTON - Apr 28/10 - SNS -- North American hog and pig inventory totalled 75.6 million head in March, according to a joint report from the USDA and Statistics Canada, down 3% from March 2009 and down 6% from March 2008.

The breeding inventory, at 7.06 million head, was down 4% from a year ago and down 2% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 68.6 million head, was down 3% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 35.0 million head, was down 3% from 2009 and down 4% from 2008. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.62 million head, down 4% from last year and down 7 % from 2008.

U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2010 was 64.0 million head. This was down 3% from March 1, 2009 and down 2% from December 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 5.76 million head, was down 4% from last year and down 2% from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 58.2 million head, was down 3% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 27.9 million head, was down 2% from 2009 and down 2% from 2008. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.90 million head, down 4% from last year and down 6% from 2008.

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on April 1, 2010 was 11.6 million head. This was down 2% from April 1, 2009 and down 10% from April 1, 2008. The breeding inventory, at 1.30 million head, was down 6% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 10.3 million head, was down 2% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 7.1 million head, was down 5% from 2009 and down 11% from 2008. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 715,600 head, down 5% from last year and down 11% from 2008.