By Scout Nelson
According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kansas reported a total hog and pig inventory of 2.01 million head as of December 1, 2024. This reflects a 2% increase compared to both December 1, 2023, and September 1, 2024.
The breeding hog inventory, however, experienced a decline. It stood at 165,000 head, marking a 3% drop from the previous year and the prior quarter.
In contrast, the market hog inventory showed growth, reaching 1.85 million head up 3% year-over-year and from the previous quarter.
Kansas’s pig crop for the September to November 2024 period totaled 1.02 million head, an 8% increase from the same period in 2023. Sows farrowed during this timeframe totaled 86,000 head, reflecting a 4% rise compared to last year.
Additionally, the average number of pigs saved per litter grew to 11.85, up from 11.35 in the previous year.
Looking ahead, Kansas hog producers plan to farrow 82,000 sows between December 2024 and February 2025. This represents a 4% decrease from the same period in the prior year.
For the March to May 2025 quarter, producers expect to farrow 83,000 sows, a 3% drop from the previous year.
These figures highlight both growth and challenges within Kansas’s hog production industry, demonstrating continued market expansion alongside strategic adjustments to breeding practices.
Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Hogs