WASHINGTON – For the month of December, 2009, U.S. and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs was 77.4 million head, which is down 2% from December 2008 and down 6% from December 2007, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Totaling 7.19 million head, the breeding inventory, was down 4% from a year ago and down 1% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 70.3 million head, was down 2% from both last year and last quarter. The pig crop, at 36.0 million head, was down 1% from 2008 and down 4% from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.70 million head, down 3% from last year and down 8% from 2007.

On Dec. 1, 2009, U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs was 65.8 million head. This was down 2% from Dec. 1, 2008, and down 2% from Sept. 1, 2009. Totaling 5.85 million head, the breeding inventory was down 3% from last year and down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, totaling 60.0 million head, was down 2% from last year and down 2% from last quarter.

The pig crop, at 28.8 million head, was up slightly from 2008 but down 2% from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.97 million head, down 2% from last year and down 6% from 2007.

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on Jan. 1 totaled 11.6 million head. This was down 5% from Jan. 1, 2009, and down 16% from Jan. 1, 2008. The breeding inventory, at 1.34 million head, was down 4% from last year and down 1% from last quarter.

Totaling 10.3 million head, the market hog inventory was down 5% from last year and down 2% from last quarter. The pig crop, at 7.2 million head, was down 7% from 2009 and down 12% from 2008. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 724,600 head, down 8% from last year and down 13% from 2008.

The market hog weight groups have changed for both the U.S. and Canada. For the U.S., the market weight group under 60 lbs. has been changed to under 50 lbs., and the market weight group 60-119 lbs. has been changed to 50-119 lbs. The 120-179 lbs. and 180 lbs. and over weight groups remain the same.

Similar changes have been made to Canadian market hog weight groups. These changes will allow for a more uniform analysis of the North American hog inventory. Estimates have been made for these new weight groups dating back to the beginning of 2008.