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NASS June briefing: U.S. hog inventory edges up while breeding herd declines
Summary
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported at a June briefing that U.S. hog inventory rose about 1.3% year‑over‑year to roughly 74.5 million head while the breeding herd fell 3.2% to about 6.008 million, with market hogs and weight‑group breakouts detailed and trade/import figures noted.
Lance Honig, chair of the Agricultural Statistics Board at the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), opened a June briefing for USDA policymakers and said the session would review the June Hogs and Pigs report. "The hogs and pigs report is considered a principal federal economic indicator report," Honig said, and he reminded attendees of Office of Management and Budget guidance restricting public comment within 30 minutes of the release.
Travis Abreil, chief of the NASS Livestock Branch, presented the data and described the quarter's survey design and main findings. "There's 4,524 operations surveyed this quarter," Abreil said, noting data collection ran May 31 through June 15 by mail, phone, internet and in‑person interviews.
Abreil reported key national totals and recent revisions. He said the current all‑hogs‑and‑pigs estimate was about 74,500,000 head, a 1.3% increase from a year earlier. The breeding herd was reported at 6,008,000 head, down 3.2% from 2023, while market hogs totaled 68,500,000 head, up 1.7% year‑over‑year.
The presentation included more detailed breakouts: animals under 50 pounds were about 21,600,000 head (up 1.4%); 50–119 pounds were about 19,200,000 (up 1.2%); 120–179 pounds were 14,600,000 (up 2%); and 180 pounds and over were about 13,100,000 (up 2.5%). Abreil also cited a March–May pig crop of slightly over 34,000,000 head (up about 1.8%) and said pigs per litter weaned averaged 11.56, up from 11.36 a year earlier.
The briefing covered NASS revisions and methodology: staff reviewed June 2023–March 2024 estimates against final pig‑crop figures, official slaughter and death loss, and updated trade data before issuing current estimates. Abreil said several series — including all hogs and pigs, market hogs, the March–May pig crop and some sow intentions — were within trade expectations, while trade expectations were lower for the breeding herd and certain sow‑intention measures.
On trade, Abreil said Canadian imports of feeder pigs and slaughter hogs rose to about 1,754,000 head for 2024 versus 1,652,000 in 2023 (a 6.1% increase). He said feeder pigs comprised roughly 71% of those imports and slaughter hogs roughly 29% (about 504,000 head, up 22.8%).
Abreil walked through historical charts — including ASB first versus final estimates over the past decade — and noted that final estimates were within trade ranges in six of the last 12 quarters. He closed with publication logistics and engagement opportunities, saying NASS will host a stat chat at 4 p.m. Eastern to answer questions and that the full reports are available on the NASS website.
The presenters named a small group of field staff who assisted with the report: Juan Alvarez (Sacramento field office) and Lisa Prickett (St. Louis operation). Dr. Seth Meyer, USDA chief economist, was noted as joining the briefing as secretary designate but did not present during the recorded remarks.
The briefing contained no motions or formal votes; it was an informational release of the agency's statistical estimates. The next scheduled NASS releases referenced in the presentation include the June 28 Agriculture Prices report and other summer releases on acreage, stocks and production.
