The latest US & Canadian Hogs report released by the USDA August 28th recorded all hogs and pigs at 88.5 million head, down 955 thousand head from the previous report but 1.1 million head over last year. A closer look at the breeding herd specifically reflects a modest increase from the last report, up 12 thousand head from the back-half of 2023, with the current kept for breeding number 209 thousand head under last year. North American market hogs reported at 81.2 million head was down 967 thousand head from the previous report but 1.3 million head over last year. Lighter weight groups captured on the report climbed higher than last reported while heavier market-ready groups recorded notable reductions, however all market hog weight groups were up +1% to +2.6% compared to last year. Sows farrowed in North America declined 196 thousand head from the previous report and 86 thousand head lower than the same period in 2023. The US & Canadian pig crop fell 2.9 million head from the previous reporting period, though is up 1.1 million head from a year earlier.
Canadian All Hogs and Pigs overall climbed +0.1% or 20 thousand head from last reported to 13,995 thousand head for the July 1st inventory, which brings them 180 thousand head or +1.3% over last year. Canada's breeding herd edged 3 thousand head higher or +0.2% from the January 1st period, with the current inventory 11 thousand head or -0.9% under the year previous. Canadian market hog inventories were up 17 thousand head or +0.1% from the previous report, and 191 thousand head or +1.5% above last year. The lightest weight group and the heaviest market weight group both rose from last reported and were above year-ago inventories, however the remaining two categories for markets 50-179 pounds were lower compared both to last reported and a year earlier. Sows farrowed in Canada declined 13 thousand head or -1.0% from last reported and is 12 thousand head or -1.0% under last year. Canada's pig crop dropped 217 thousand head or -1.4% from the previous report, with the current pig crop 164 thousand head or +1.1% under last year.
