USDA reports the inventory of all hogs and pigs in the United States on March 1, 2013 was 1% above a year ago at 65.911 million head.
That’s within the pre-report range of 100.3% to 101.6% and just above the average estimate of 100.7%.
The breeding inventory came out at 5.834 million, slightly larger than this time last year, and market hogs were up 2% from a year ago at 60.077 million head.
By weight, hogs and pigs less than 50 pounds were 19.426 million head and the 50 to 119 pound category was 16.650 million head, both up 1% on the year, while the 120 to 179 pounders were 13.059 million head and the 180 pound and heavier inventory was 10.942 million head, both 2% larger than this time last year.
The December to February pig crop was 29.019 million head, 2% more than the same period last year, with sow farrowings up 1% at 2.879 million head, and pigs per litter were a record for the quarter at 10.08. March to May 2013 sow farrowings are projected at 2.955 million, 1% under March to May 2012, and June to August intentions are seen at 2.905 million, also 1% lower than that period a year ago.
The number of contract hogs on operations with more than 5,000 head made up 47% of the total, unchanged from this time last year.