October 3, 2008

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1,2008, was 3.35 million head. This was unchanged from September 1, 2007, and down 1% from June 1, 2008.

Breeding hog inventory, at 355,000 head, was down 3% from September 1, 2007 and down1% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 3.00 million head, was up slightly over last yearand down 1% from last quarter.

The June-August 2008 Nebraska pig crop, at 1.80 million head, was 6% below 2007. Sowsfarrowing during the period totaled 185,000 head, down 8% from last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 180,000 sows during the September-November 2008quarter, down 8% from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intendedfarrowings for December 2008-February 2009, are 180,000 sows, down 5% from the actualfarrowings during the same period the previous year.

Nationally, the inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2008 was 68.7 million head. This was up 2% from September 1, 2007 and up 1% from June 1, 2008.

Breeding inventory, at 6.05 million head, was down 3% from last year and down 1%from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 62.6 million head, was up 3% from last yearand up 2% from last quarter.

The June-August 2008 pig crop, at 29.3 million head, was up 1% from 2007 and up10% from 2006. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.08 million head, down 2%from 2007 but up 6% from 2006.

U.S. hog producers intend to have 3.01 million sows farrow during the September-November2008 quarter, down 5% from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2007, but up 2%from 2006. Intended farrowings for December 2008-February 2009, at 2.98 million sows, are down3% from 2008 but up 3% from 2007.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service