
As 2024 drew to a close, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service issued its quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, finding there were 75.8 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms as of Dec. 1. That is up 1% from December 2023 but down slightly from Sept. 1, when the last inventory was tallied.
Of that total, 69.8 million are market hogs, up slightly from 69.5 million in December 2023. The 6.004 million kept for breeding is up from the 5.999 million counted Dec. 1, 2023.
Another key stat that jumps out points to the improvement that U.S. hog producers continue to make in getting pigs out of the farrowing room. Although sows farrowing between September and November were down slightly from 2023, the trajectory of average pigs saved per litter continues its upward trend. The latest average of 11.92 tops 11.66 pigs per litter saved for the same period a year ago.
In the October 2023 Hog Outlook column, I reported that the 11.61 pigs per litter weaned in the late September 2023 Hogs and Pigs report was a record at the time. That 11.61 was up from 11.13 weaned pigs per litter for the same period the previous two years. That progression is a positive sign that producers are very good at what they do and continue to be efficient in their production.
Weaned pigs per litter translates to 35.2 million pigs weaned between September and November of last year, up 2% from the same time period one year earlier.
According to the latest Hogs and Pigs report, U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.93 million sows farrow between December and February, and 2.95 million sows farrow between March and May this year.
Per usual, the big three hog-producing states remain at the top, with Iowa having the largest inventory of 24.6 million head. Minnesota has the second-largest inventory at 9.5 million head, and North Carolina comes next with 8.2 million head.
Iowa’s hog inventory is down 3% from the previous quarter and down 2% from the previous year. Minnesota’s inventory was actually up 2%, both from the previous quarter and the year-ago numbers. North Carolina’s inventory was unchanged from Sept. 1 but up 4% from year-ago numbers.
While hog producers keep doing what they do best, American consumers need to do a better job of demanding and buying pork for their plates.
To meet consumers where they’re at, the Pork Checkoff is kicking off a new marketing campaign to understand seven identified consumer segments. Four priority segments are Confident Meat Eaters, Simple Feeders, Culinary Adventurers and Mindful Choicemakers. Secondary segments identified by the Checkoff are Tasty Value Seekers, Culture Celebrators and Meat Minimizers.
The website explaining the segments offers consumers a quiz to determine which category they fall under, and I am happy to report that I am a "confident meat eater." Check it out to see where you fall and where you might be able to help eat into the pork supply.
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