By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin's hog industry is humming, with a 4% increase in pig inventory compared to last December, according to the latest USDA report. This bucked the national trend, which saw overall U.S. hog numbers remain steady year-over-year while dipping slightly since September.
The Badger State's hog population reached 360,000 on December 1st, with market hogs leading the charge at 313,000 head. Breeding hogs accounted for 47,000 of the total.
Nationally, breeding inventory saw a 3% decline compared to both last year and the previous quarter, settling at 6 million head. Market hogs, however, held steady at 69 million head, showing a slight dip from September but remaining above last year's levels.
Wisconsin's annual pig production also saw a healthy bump, climbing to 1.08 million head, a 2% increase from 2022. This resulted from 95,000 sows farrowing during the year, although the average litter size dipped slightly to 11.40 pigs per litter.
The national picture for pig production was less rosy. The September-November 2023 pig crop fell slightly short of 2022 numbers, with 34.6 million head born. Sows farrowing during this period also saw a 4% decline compared to the previous year, representing 48% of the breeding herd. However, the average litter size saw a slight improvement, reaching 11.66 pigs per litter compared to 11.22 in 2022.
In conclusion, while the national hog industry navigates a slightly softer period, Wisconsin's pig population continues to thrive, showcasing the resilience and innovation of the state's pork producers.
Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Hogs