The U.S. inventory of hogs and pigs on 1 March totaled 74.3 million head, 102 percent of last year. However, it was down slightly from 74.6 million head on 1 December, which was a record for the quarter.
Sows kept for breeding totaled 6.35 million head, 102 percent of last year and up slightly from 6.33 million head on 1 December, and sows farrowed during the quarter were 49 percent of the breeding herd. Producers intend to have 3.12 million sows farrow during the March-May 2019 quarter, a 1 percent increase from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2018 and up 3 percent from 2017. The December-February pig crop of 33.0 million head was 102 percent of last year. Pigs saved per litter were 10.70, up from 10.58 in the prior yea...
What You Need to Know Today: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
