US: Number of pigs increased

US farms have seen an increase in hogs and pigs, with an upward move of 1%, according to the US Department of Agriculture report which was released this week. The 1% increase is up from a year ago. Other increases were also seen…

The numbers below is as of 1 September 2011.

Expectations surpassed

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) the size of the US hog and pig herd is 66.6 million head, up 1% from September 2010. This increase reported by the USDA surpasses analysts expectations, as it was thought that the likely growth would be 0.5% more than the previous year.

Anothe increase is the swine breeding herd at 1 September, which came in at 5.81 million head, up 1% from a year ago. Analysts expected about 5.78 million head.

Taking into account the five year average – the total hog and pig herd is 1.4% above the five year average and the swine breeding herd is reported as 2.4% below it.

Also seeing an increase:

Hogs kept for marketing totals 60.8 million head, up 1% from a year ago.

Average number of pigs per litter for the three-month period (June-August 2011 ) was 10.03 compared to 9.81 last year, up 2.2% compared to a year ago. ***See full report here (PDF)

Related website: USDA