Market News & Headlines >> U.S. Hog Herd Seen Edging Higher

USDA is expected to report a modest increase in the size of the U.S. hog herd when it releases its quarterly Hogs and Pigs report on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. CT.

Trade estimates of the size of the U.S. hog herd average 0.4% above a year earlier in a range from 1.0% lower to 1.5% higher, according to a survey of nine analysts by Bloomberg News Service. In actual numbers, the hog herd, on average, is expected to be 67.669 million head, up from 67.399 million a year earlier. 

Pre-report estimates of the supply of hogs kept for breeding purposes average 0.6% above a year earlier in a range from 0.4% lower to 1.0% higher. In actual numbers, the average estimate of the March 1 breeding herd equals 6.015 million head, up from 5.982 million a year earlier. 

Expectations for the March 1 market hog inventory average 0.4% above a year earlier in a range from 1.0% lower to 1.6% larger. In actual numbers market hog inventory estimates average 61.657 million head, up from 61.418 million a year earlier. 

On average, the December-February pig crop is expected to be 0.1% larger than a year earlier, with estimates ranging from 1.0% smaller to 1.4% larger. December-February farrowings estimates average 1.5% smaller than a year earlier in a range from 2.0% smaller to 0.1% smaller. Forecasts for December-February pigs per litter average 1.5% above a year earlier in a range from 1.0% lower to 2.3% higher. 

On average, March-May farrowing intentions are expected to be 0.3% larger than a year earlier, while June August intentions are expected to be 0.1% larger.