All hogs and pigs on North Carolina farms on December 1, 2016 totaled 9.3 million head, up 1% from September 1, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Market hogs, at 8.42 million head, were up 5% from last year and up 1% from last quarter. Breeding stock totaled 880,000 head, up 1% from last year but down 1% from September 1, 2016.
The State’s pig crop during the September – November 2016 period totaled 4.74 million head, up 4% from the same period last year. These pigs were produced by 460,000 sows, up 2% from the same time last year. Pigs saved per litter averaged at 10.3, which is up from the 10.15 pigs saved during the same quarter last year.
North Carolina producers intend to farrow 455,000 sows during the December 2016 – February 2017 quarter and 450,000 sows during the March – May 2017 quarter. North Carolina ranks 2nd nationally, behind Iowa, in the total number of hogs and pigs produced.
