USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report Released.

Sep 25, 2015

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2015 was 68.4 million head. This was up 4 percent from September 1, 2014, and up 2 percent from June 1, 2015. This is the highest inventory of all hogs and pigs since quarterly United States estimates began in 1988.

Breeding inventory, at 5.99 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, and up 1 percent from the previous quarter.

Market hog inventory, at 62.4 million head, was up 4 percent from last year, and up 2 percent from last quarter. This is the highest market hog inventory since quarterly United States estimates began in 1988.

The June-August 2015 pig crop, at 30.6 million head, was up 1 percent from 2014. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.94 million head, down 2 percent from 2014. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 50 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was a record high 10.39 for the June-August period, compared to 10.16 last year. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 8.00 for operations with 1- 99 hogs and pigs to 10.40 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.

United States hog producers intend to have 2.92 million sows farrow during the September-November 2015 quarter, down 2 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2014, but up 5 percent from 2013. Intended farrowings for December-February 2016, at 2.87 million sows, are down 1 percent from 2015, but up 4 percent from 2014.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 47 percent of the total United States hog inventory, up from 46 percent last year.

Revisions

All inventory and pig crop estimates for September 2014 through June 2015 were reviewed using final pig crop, official slaughter, death loss, and updated import and export data. The net revision made to the December 2014 all hogs and pigs inventory was 2.6 percent. The net revision made to the March 2015 all hogs and pigs inventory was 2.2 percent. A revision of 3.0 percent was made to the December-February 2015 pig crop.

Source: USDA

Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.