Hog numbers still high in Illinois

MCHENRY, Ill. — While U.S. and Illinois hog numbers remain high, there are indications that those numbers may start to come down, yielding some relief for producers haunted by red ink.

“Our near-term hog supply is still a little larger than we’d like to see,” said Rich Nelson, chief strategist at Allendale Inc.

Hog numbers were up in Illinois in the second quarter of 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Hogs and Pigs report, released on June 27.

The Illinois all hogs and pigs inventory, as of June 1, was 5.7 million head, up 5% from the same time a year ago.

The breeding herd was 660,000 head, down 10,000 from a year ago. Market hog inventory was 5.04 million head, up 5% from a year ago.

Productivity declined in Illinois, with the second quarter pigs saved per litter, for March-May, at 11.15, lower than 11.35 a year ago. The March-May Illinois pig crop was 3.35 million head, up 7% from a year ago.

The March-May farrowings were 300,000 head, up 25,000 from the same time in 2023.

The market hog weight category numbers:

• Under 50 pounds — 1.5 million, up from 1.34 million a year ago.

• 50 to 119 pounds — 1.62 million, up from 1.61 million a year ago.

• 120 to 179 pounds — 1.14 million, up from 1.04 million a year ago.

• 180 pounds and over — 780,000, down from 790,000 a year ago.