USDA reports increase in total number of pigs

The latest figures from the USDA show an annual increase of 2 percent in the total number of pigs to 68.7 million head.

According to the latest figures from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the September 2008 pig census recorded an annual increase of 2 percent in the total number of pigs to 68.7 million head. The number of finishing pigs rose to 62.6 million head, up 3 percent on the year. As expected the contraction in the breeding herd continued. The number of breeding pigs, at 6.05 million head, was down 3 percent on the year.

USDA reports that producers intend to farrow 3.01 million sows in the September to November 2008 period, a decline of 5 percent on actual farrowings during the same period in 2007. Intended farrowings for December 2008 to February 2009, at 2.98 million sows, are down 3 percent from 2008. Combined with the likelihood of fewer pigs being imported from Canada, this indicates a fall in production next year.

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