US swine inventory expected to further decline - USDA ERS

May 20, 2024

It is generally acknowledged that 2023 was a difficult year for US hog producers, according to the most recent USDA Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook report. Iowa State University calculates that monthly producer losses last year averaged more than $24 per head.

The December 2023 Quarterly Hogs and Pigs showed a year-over-year reduction in the December 1 breeding inventory of more than 3%. Sow slaughter data issued weekly by USDA suggests that reductions in the US breeding inventory are likely continuing.

For weeks 1–7 of 2024, USDA data show that sow and boar slaughter increased about 5.8% over the same period last year. A continuation of the trend established in the first 7 weeks of 2024 would further downsize the inventory of breeding animals. Fewer breeding animals usually means fewer farrowings, which are typically associated with smaller pig crops, depending on litter rates. In general, smaller pig crops usually result in higher hog prices.

Click here to see more...

Video: Turning Data into Better Decisions: BioCV's Intelligent Monitoring System for Modern Pork Producers

In this exclusive interview, Jens Kjaer, CEO of BioCV Inc., discusses the North American launch of the BioCV Intelligent Sow Monitoring System and how advanced sensor technology and machine learning are changing the way producers manage sow herds. Using smart ear tags that continuously monitor temperature, behavior, and movement, the system provides real-time alerts for heat detection, farrowing, fever, lameness, and other critical health events—often before they become visible to barn staff.

Kjaer explains how the technology helps producers improve breeding efficiency, reduce non-productive days, identify health challenges earlier, and better support sows during farrowing. He also shares how BioCV's predictive analytics can help operations optimize labor, improve piglet survival, reduce sow losses, and enhance overall productivity in today's increasingly data-driven swine industry.

Learn how this innovative technology is giving producers actionable insights on every sow, every day, helping teams move from reactive management to proactive decision-making while improving both animal welfare and profitability. www.biocv.info/lisa-sow