N.A. Pig Numbers Continue Decline

WASHINGTON - Feb 17/11 - SNS -- Hog and pig inventories in Canada and United States continued their year over year decline into last December, with only 76.2 million animals on hand in both countries, according to a joint report from the USDA and Statistics Canada.

This was down 1% from December 2009 and down 4% from December 2008. The breeding inventory, at 7.09 million head, was down 1% from a year ago and up slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 69.1 million head, was down 1% from last year and down 1% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 35.3 million head, was down 1% from 2009 and down 3% from 2008. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.56 million head, down 2% from 2009 and down 7% from 2008.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2010 was 64.3 million head. This was down 1% from December 1, 2009 and down 2% from September 1, 2010. The breeding inventory, at 5.78 million head, was down 1% from last year but up slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 58.5 million head, was down 1% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 28.2 million head, was down slightly from 2009 and down 2% from 2008. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.85 million head, down 2% from 2009 and down 6% from 2008.