USDA released a trifecta of livestock reports today. First, the much-awaited quarterly hogs and pigs report. Pre-report expectations were for a bullish report – and those expectations were correct. Total inventory was 74.2 million head, or 96 percent of a year ago and 95 percent of 2019.  Most all categories came in below analysts’ forecasts. 

Farrowings from September to November were 3.01, or 95 percent of last year but right on the reported farrowing intentions from the last report in September, but below the pre-report expectations. June through November sow farrowings are 94 percent of the same period in 2020.  Farrowing intentions for December to February are 2.94 million, that is slightly above last yea...