US hog inventory on the rise; margins remain tight

The latest quarterly hogs and pigs report from USDA showed an increase in U.S. numbers.Inventory as of Sept. 1 was pegged at 76.5 million head, up slightly from September 2023 and up 2% from June 1. In Illinois, all hogs and pigs totaled 5.6 million head, down 3% since June but up 2% compared to last year.During a webinar hosted by the National Pork Board after the report was released Sept. 26, Brett Stuart with Global AgriTrends said there is potential for swine numbers to continue to rise.&ldq