Indiana hog numbers decline in second quarter

By Andi Anderson

Indiana has seen a significant decline in hog numbers during the second quarter. Steve Meyer, senior economist with EverAg, outlines three key strategies for the U.S. pork industry to regain profitability: better demand, lower costs, and fewer pigs.

“We haven’t done much on costs, that’s not really our doing, but that’s the way it is. Demand has not perked back up to 2020 and 2021 levels, even though it’s not terrible,” said Meyer.

“So far, we really haven’t done much on supplies and that’s really what this Hogs and Pigs report tells us,” he added during a webinar following the release of the second quarter U.S. Department of Agriculture Hogs and Pigs report on June 27.

Indiana pork producers are contributing to the reduction in U.S. hog numbers, with a decline in almost every category compared to last year. As of June 1, Indiana’s all hogs and pigs inventory was 4.4 million, down by 50,000 from the previous year.

The breeding herd in Indiana was 250,000 head, showing a 4% decrease from the same time last year. The market hog herd stood at 4.15 million, a 1% decrease from the previous year.

One area of increase was the pigs saved per litter for the March-May period, which rose to 11.55 from 11.10 a year ago. However, March-May farrowings dropped to 120,000 head from 125,000 the previous year.

The farrowing intentions for June-August are 125,000 head, down from 135,000 actual farrowings during the same period last year.

September-November farrowing intentions remain steady at 125,000 head, the same as the previous year’s actual farrowings.

The Indiana pig crop for March-May was 1.386 million head, slightly down from 1.388 million a year ago.

Breaking down the market hog weight categories:

Under 50 pounds: 1.05 million, down from 1.08 million a year ago.

50 to 119 pounds: 1.23 million, down from 1.26 million a year ago.

120 to 179 pounds: 970,000, down from 980,000 a year ago.

180 pounds and over: 900,000, up from 870,000 a year ago.

The decline in hog numbers reflects broader trends in the pork industry, emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments in demand, cost management, and supply levels to ensure future profitability and sustainability.

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