December 30, 2023

US swine inventory up slightly, now 75 million head

As of December 1, 2023, the United States swine production landscape reported a stable count of 75 million swine, as revealed by the latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Hog Farmer reported.

While this figure barely edged past last year's supply, it marked a slight downturn from the previous quarter, following revisions that increased the September 2023 inventory by 1.4%.

An unexpected revelation in the report was the breeding category, recording 6 million head, a 3% dip from last year and the previous quarter. This notable decline surpassed analysts' expectations, indicating a larger contraction in the breeding herd than anticipated.

Market swine inventory reached 69 million head, a marginal increase from the previous year but a modest reduction from the preceding quarter. Categories based on weight showcased minor fluctuations, with the 120-to-179-pounds group observing a 1% uptick from the previous year, while the 180-and-over group saw a significant 2% increase.

Between September 2023 and November 2023, 34.6 million swine were weaned on US farms, a slight dip from 2022, with 2.97 million sows farrowing, a 4% reduction from the previous year. US swine producers demonstrated improved efficiency, saving an average of 11.66 swine per litter, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of enhanced productivity.

Looking ahead, US swine producers anticipate a 2% drop in sows farrowing during the December 2023-February 2024 quarter, with a 1% dip in the following quarter. Despite various revisions and adjustments in the report, the overall US swine industry appears resilient, with Iowa, Minnesota, and North Carolina leading in swine inventories.

-      National Hog Farmer