The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) published their Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report and as of June 1, there were 68.4 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from June 2015, and up 1 percent from March 1, 2016.

Other key findings in the report were:
– Of the 68.4 million hogs and pigs, 62.4 million were market hogs, while 5.98 million were kept for breeding.
– Between March and May 2016, 30.3 million pigs were weaned on U.S. farms, up 3 percent from the same time period last year.
– From March through May 2016, U.S. hog and pig producers weaned an average of 10.48 pigs per litter.
– U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.95 million sows farrow between June and August 2016, and 2.90 million sows farrow between September and November 2016.
– Iowa hog producers accounted for the largest inventory among the states, at 20.6 million head.
North Carolina and Minnesota had the second and third largest inventories with 8.90 million and 8.00 million head, respectively.

To obtain an accurate measurement of the U.S. swine industry, NASS surveyed about 8,150 operators across the nation during the first half of June. Data were collected by mail, telephone and through face-to-face interviews. All surveyed producers were asked to report their hog and pig inventories as of June 1, 2016.

Today the Pork Checkoff hosted a news media conference call following the release of this information. The panelists on the call were: Daniel Vaught, Senior Economist, Doane & Pro Farmer, St. Louis MO; Joe Kerns, President, Kerns & Associates, Ames, IA; Ron Plain, Profession Emeritus, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.

Listen to the complete audio report here: Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report