The U.S. hog herd in the latest quarter was mostly steady with a year earlier, a U.S. government report showed on Friday, and down slightly from trade forecasts.
However, producers had a record number of pigs per litter during the period at 10.31, up about two per cent from a year earlier.
USDA showed the U.S. hog herd as of June 1 at 100 per cent of a year ago, at 66.647 million head. Analysts, on average, expected 66.992 million head, or 100.5 per cent of a year earlier.
The U.S. breeding herd was 100 per cent of a year earlier, at 5.882 million head, compared with average trade expectations for it to be unchanged. A year ago the breeding herd was 5.862 million head.
The June 1 supply of market-ready hogs was 100 per cent of a year earlier at 60.765 million head. Analysts, on average, expected a 0.6 per cent rise, or 61.162 million.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures could open steady to firm based on Friday’s report, said analysts.
— Theopolis Waters reports for Reuters from Chicago. Additional reporting for Reuters by Michael Hirtzer in Chicago.
