USDA released its quarterly Hogs and Pigs report for December through February. The report was bullish showing contraction across the herd.  

The total inventory of hogs and pigs in the U.S. was 72.2 million, the smallest since June 2018. The drop in inventory from December to March follows the seasonal pattern; typically, the 1 March inventory is near the seasonal low point (see marked in red).  

The year-over-year drop, however, is following a repeat cycle. Before porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) hit hard in 2015, March to March was down for five years. After that, the March to March was even or up for five years. Now, this is the second year it is down.  

Sows farrowing from December through F...