USDA Releases September 2024 Hogs and Pigs Report: Key Takeaways for the Swine Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published its latest Hogs and Pigs report for September 2024, providing critical data on inventory levels and key production trends in the swine industry. The following are the main highlights of the report:

Inventory Overview

• The total inventory of hogs and pigs in the United States as of September 1, 2024, was 74.8 million head, reflecting a slight decrease of 1% compared to the same period last year.
• The breeding inventory was reported at 6.13 million head, also down 1% from the previous year.
• Market hog inventory reached 68.7 million head, down 1% from 2023.

Breeding and Farrowing Intentions

• The report indicates that the number of sows farrowing during the June-August 2024 period totaled 2.92 million head, which was 2% below the same period a year earlier.
• The number of pigs saved per litter was reported at an average of 11.3, relatively unchanged from the previous year.