US Hog populations rise slightly in early 2024

Apr 01, 2024

By Farms.com

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, revealing a 1% increase in hog populations across US farms compared to March 2023. The current count stands at 74.6 million, though this is a slight dip from December 2023 figures.

Breaking down the numbers, the report specifies 68.6 million are market hogs, with 6.02 million designated for breeding. This period also saw a 2% rise in weaned pigs, totalling 33.1 million, and an average of 11.53 pigs weaned per litter.

Looking ahead, US hog producers are preparing for a busy breeding season with 2.92 million sows expected to farrow between March and May 2024, and slightly more between June and August.

Iowa remains the epicentre of US hog production, boasting 25.2 million head, followed by Minnesota and North Carolina. The data, gathered from over 4,500 producers, offers a precise measurement of the industry's state.

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.