News Release

SIOUX FALLS, March 24, 2005 _The state's March 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs was 1.36 million head, up 9 percent from one year ago and 2 percent above last quarter, according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Office.

Breeding stock totaled 145,000 head, the same as March 2004. Market hogs totaled 1,215,000 head, up 10 percent from last year.

The December through February pig crop was 677,000 head, up 5 percent from 644,000 head last year. During the quarter 72,000 sows farrowed, up 3 percent from 2004. Pigs per litter averaged 9.40, up from 9.20 the previous year. Producers intend to farrow 73,000 sows during March through May, 4 percent above the actual farrowings a year ago. Intentions for June through August are 73,000 sows, up from 68,000 actual farrowings one year earlier.