The USDA releases its Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report later today.
University of Kentucky livestock economist Kenny Burdine says production efficiency continues to be the story for the U.S. hog industry. “We’re adding probably a percent and 1/2 or so to pork production every year just based on productivity,” he says. “Just an incredible case to be made for efficiency and productivity there in the hog sector.”
He tells Brownfield that breeding inventory will be an area to watch. “The productivity gains have been there regardless of the breeding inventory,” he says. “I’m going to be interested to see if we actually see some increase in the number of sows in production. Because if you start to see both of those things, then you start talking about a much higher increase in production levels.”
Pre-report estimates indicate that the number of hogs and pigs, the kept for breeding number, and those kept for marketing remain nearly steady with last year.
