US hog inventory up 2% from 2010 numbers

U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1 was 65.9 million head, up 2% from the same time in 2010 but down 1% from September 1, 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest report. Breeding inventory, at 5.80 million head, was up slightly from 2010 numbers, but down slightly from the third quarter of 2011. Market hog inventory, at 60.1 million head, was up 2% from 2010, but down 1% from July–September 2011. The September–November 2011 pig crop, at 29.0 million head, was up 2% from 2010. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.89 million head, up slightly from 2010 numbers. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 50% of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was a record-high 10.02 for the September–November period, compared to 9.89 during the same time in 2010. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 7.40 for operations with 1-99 hogs and pigs to 10.10 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.