The United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2024, was 74.5 million head. That number is up one percent from June 1, 2023, and up slightly from March 1, 2024. The breeding inventory, at 6.01 million head, was three percent lower than last year and slightly lower than the previous quarter. The market hog inventory, at 68.5 million head, was up two percent from 2023, and up slightly from last quarter.

The March-May 2024 pig crop, at 34 million head, was up two percent from 2023. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.94 million head, up slightly from 2023. The sows farrowed during the quarter represented 49 percent of the breeding herd. The average number of pigs per litter was 11.56 for March-May, compared to 11.36 last year. U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.96 million sows farrow during June-August, down three percent from actual farrowings last year.