The U.S. hog herd was little changed from a year earlier as of June 1, while the breeding inventory continued to decline, according to the USDA’s quarterly Hogs and Pigs report released Thursday.
USDA estimated the total inventory at 73.7 million head, virtually unchanged from June 2025 but up 1% from March 1.
The breeding herd was pegged at 5.88 million head, down 1% from both a year earlier and the previous quarter. The number of market hogs totalled 67.8 million head, essentially unchanged from last year but 1% above the March estimate.
The March-through-May pig crop was estimated at 33.5 million head, nearly steady with the same period in 2025. Producers farrowed 2.82 million sows during the quarter, down 1% from a year earlier.
Improved productivity helped offset the smaller number of farrowings. The average number of pigs saved per litter rose to 11.87, compared with 11.75 during the same quarter last year.
Producers intend to farrow 2.9 million sows from June through August, down 2% from the corresponding period in 2025 and 3% below 2024.
Farrowing intentions for September through November were estimated at 2.86 million sows, 1% below last year and down 3% from two years earlier.
The report points to relatively stable near-term market hog supplies, even as the smaller breeding herd and reduced farrowing intentions suggest limited expansion in pork production.
