USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report Released.

Jun 27, 2014

United States Hog Inventory Down 5 Percent

USDA News.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2014 was 62.1 million head. This was down 5 percent from June 1, 2013, and down 1 percent from March 1, 2014.

Breeding inventory, at 5.85 million head, was down slightly from last year, but up slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 56.3 million head, was down 5 percent from last year, and down 1 percent from last quarter.

The March-May 2014 pig crop, at 27.4 million head, was down 5 percent from 2013. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.80 million head, down slightly from 2013. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 48 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 9.78 for the March-May period, compared to 10.31 last year. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 7.80 for operations with 1-99 hogs and pigs to 9.80 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.

United States hog producers intend to have 2.89 million sows farrow during the June-August 2014 quarter, up slightly from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2013, but down 1 percent from 2012. Intended farrowings for September-November 2014, at 2.88 million sows, are up 4 percent from 2013, but down slightly from 2012.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 48 percent of the total United States hog inventory, up from 46 percent last year.

Revisions

All inventory and pig crop estimates for June 2013 through March 2014 were reviewed using final pig crop, official slaughter, death loss, and updated import and export data. Based on the findings of this review, an adjustment of less than two and one half percent was made to the June 2013 total inventory. An adjustment of four percent was made to the March-May 2013 pig crop. An adjustment of less than one and one half percent was made to the June-August 2013 pig crop.

An adjustment of less than two percent was made to the December 2013 total inventory. An adjustment of less than four percent was made to the September- November 2013 pig crop. An adjustment of less than one percent was made to the March 2014 total inventory.

Full report can be found here.

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1086

Source: USDA

Video: How to Maximize Swine Profitability with U.S. Soy

Are you looking for ways to maximize profitability in swine production? Leading animal nutritionists talk about the "soy effect," asserting the value of using soybean meal (SBM) made from U.S. Soy when formulating feed rations. In this video, Dr. David Rosero, assistant professor at Iowa State University, explains the soy effect and four key reasons for including soybean meal in swine diets for optimal performance and profitability.

Four Pillars of Soybean Meal in Swine Nutrition:
1. Energy Contribution of Soybean Meal in Commercial Diets
2. Soybean Meal as a Functional Bioactive for Animal Health
3. Soybean Meal as a High-Value Protein Source During Late Finisher Diets
4. Soybean Meal-Based Diets to Mitigate Summer Weight Dip
The proven consistency and quality exhibited by U.S. Soy makes for a superior nutritional bundle in animal nutrition, offering a reliable source of protein and energy for high-performing swine.