The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported 7% more hogs in the U.S. on March 1 in comparison to a year ago.

The highly anticipated “Quarterly Hogs and Pigs” report released on Mar. 27 showed estimates were closely in line with market analysts’ pre-report estimates. 

As of March 1, there were 65.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down slightly from December 1, 2014 (figure).

Breaking down the inventory total, 60 million hogs and pigs were market hogs whereas 5.98 million head were kept for breeding.  

The December 2014 through February 2015 pig crop penciled at 28.8 million head, up 9% from a year ago.  During the same period, sow farrowings stood at 2.83 million head, up 2% from 2014.  The average pigs saved per litter was record 10.17 for the Dec.-Feb. period.

Noteworthy, U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.87 million sows farrow during March through May, up 2% from the actually farrowing in the same quarter in 2014.  Intended farrowing for June-August was estimated at 2.93 million head, down 2% from 2014.