The report estimated the breeding inventory was 105 percent of 1996's and the total market hog inventory was 107 percent of 1996's. Pre-report estimates placed all three categories between 104 and 108 percent of year ago numbers.
Farrowings continue to raise questions.
The September through November farrowings were 108 percent of 1996's and the December through February expectations are 109 percent of 1997's. These seem somewhat large with the breeding herd up a comparatively small 5 percent from 1996's. The number of market hogs indicate that slaughter throughout 1998 should be larger than 1997. All of these estimates were within the range of the pre-report estimates. USDA estimated the number of market hogs weighing 180 pounds and over were 107 percent of 1996's.