December 17, 2009

USDA changing market hog weight groups in quarterly report

Some changes are forthcoming in the market hog weight group categories in the US Department of Agriculture's quarterly "Hogs and Pigs" reports, beginning Dec. 30.

The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, or NASS, announced last week that it will report market hog weights in an "under 50 pounds" group and a "50-119 pounds" group instead of the "under 60 pounds" and "60-119 pounds" formats used previously. Other market weight groups will remain the same.

The agency's release said that "the changes will align NASS data with international trade data and will allow a more uniform analysis of the North American hog inventory."

The Dec. 30 quarterly hogs and pigs report will include national and state level data for the new weight groups dating back to March 2008 in order to allow for historical analysis, the release said.