US pig population increases slightly - ISN
Sow numbers expected to decline
4 April 2024
2 minute read
By: The US Department of Agriculture USDA recently published the results of the livestock census in March. In March 2024, the pig population amounted to 74.57 million pigs; that was approx. 430,000 animals or 0.6% more than on 01. March 2023, according to a recent report from German pig association, ISN.
In the piglet category up to 23 kg, 20.75 million animals were counted, which corresponded to an increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year. The same percentage increase was determined for the young pigs up to 54 kg, of which 19.33 million were in the US stables at the cut-off date. In the fattening pigs up to 81 kg, an increase of 0.3% was found with 15.80 million animals, while in the fattening pigs over 81 kg a decrease of 0.6% to 12.67 million animals was recorded. The number of breeding sows kept was 2.1% lower at 6.02 million than a year earlier.
Accordingly, a lower number of sows is expected for the coming months. For March to May 2024, the USDA estimates that 0.9% fewer mothers will be funning than in the same period last year, for June to August the decrease is estimated at 1.7%. At the same time, however, it can be observed that the sows are currently significantly more productive compared to the same period last year. For example, the number of piglets raised per litter from December 2023 to February 2024 was 11.53 animals, while in the same period last year it was still 11.02 animals (+4.6%). If these higher performances continue, the number of piglets in the US could be slightly higher in the coming months than a year ago, despite declining sow numbers.
