EAST LANSING, Mich. — Indiana pork producers went against the grain in the first quarter of 2021 as Indiana saw its pig numbers go up, defying the national trend, which saw lower U.S. pig numbers — and pork supplies — across the board.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Hogs and Pigs Report for the first quarter of 2021, Indiana’s total pig inventory as of March 1 was at 4.35 million, up from 4 million a year ago.
The Indiana breeding herd was at 260,000 sows, up from 250,000 a year ago. The Indiana market herd as of March 1 was at 4.09 million, up from 3.75 million a year ago.
The Indiana farrowing and pig numbers saw year-over-year increases.
The December-February sows farrowed for Indiana were 125,000, up from 115,000 a year ago. The March-May intentions were at 125,000, even with a year ago, and the June-August intentions were at 130,000, up from 125,000 a year ago.
The December-February Indiana pig crop was 1.338 million, up from 1.219 million a year ago. The Indiana pigs saved per litter were at 10.7, up from 10.6 a year ago.
The Indiana weight categories: under 50 pounds at 1.01 million, up from 910,000 a year ago; 50 to 119 pounds at 1.23 million, up from 1.05 million a year ago; 120 to 179 pounds at 890,000, down from 920,000 a year ago; and 180 pounds and over at 960,000, up from 870,000 a year ago.