The U.S. hog and pig inventory totaled 74.5 million head as of September 1, representing a 1% decline from the same period in 2024, according to the latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Of the total, 68.5 million were market hogs, while 5.93 million were kept for breeding purposes. This modest year-over-year decline comes amid concerns over input costs, global pork demand, and tightening margins across animal agriculture.

Iowa continues to dominate U.S. pork production, reporting 25.1 million head, far outpacing Minnesota (8.75 million) and North Carolina (7.8 million), which ranked second and third, respectively.

The report also noted a 3% year-over-year drop in piglets weaned between June and August 2025. Producers weaned an average of 11.82 pigs per litter during this time-an efficiency metric closely watched in the swine industry. While still historically strong, the figure may reflect shifts in herd health, sow productivity, or management practices.

Despite the annual decline, the total hog inventory actually rose 1% from the previous quarter (June 1), indicating a potential stabilization in production trends.

Breeding Plans Show Cautious Optimism

Looking ahead, U.S. hog producers plan to farrow 2.86 million sows from September through November, with an additional 2.82 million sows expected between December and February. These figures suggest continued confidence in market conditions, even amid volatility in feed prices, pork exports, and processing capacity.

For many producers, the focus will remain on optimizing litter size, managing herd health, and navigating ongoing biosecurity and labor challenges.