The USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report shows signs of further contraction as producers seek to boost profitability, even as the industry tries to meet strong demand expectations.
On September 1st, the total U.S. inventory was 75.352 million head, down 4% on the year and a bigger cut than what some analysts were anticipating heading into the report. That includes a market herd of 69.162 million head, also down 4% for a larger than projected decline, and a breeding herd of 6.19 million head, 2% below a year ago.
