SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

NEWS RELEASE
United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
South Dakota Field Office - Sioux Falls, SD

Media contact:  South Dakota Office, 605/323-6500
Email:  nass-sd@nass.usda.gov


                SOUTH DAKOTA HOG NUMBERS UP


SIOUX FALLS, December 28, 2005 -- The state's December 1 
inventory of all hogs and pigs was 1.48 million head, compared
to 1.34 million a year ago and 1.37 million on September 1, 
2005. This is up 10 percent from December 2004, and up 8 percent
from last quarter, according to the South Dakota office of 
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Breeding stock totaled 165,000 head, up 18 percent (25,000 head)
from December 2004 and last quarter.  Market hogs totaled 
1,315,000 head, up 10 percent (115,000 head) from December 2004
and up 85,000 head from last quarter.

The September through November pig crop was 744,000 head, 14 
percent (91,000 head) above last year.  During the quarter 
80,000 sows  farrowed, 13 percent (9,000 head) above December 
2004.   Pigs per litter averaged 9.30, up from 9.20 a year 
earlier.   Producers intend to farrow 83,000 sows during December 
2005  through February 2006, 11,000 more than actual farrowings 
one  year ago.  Intentions for March through May 2006 are for 
85,000  farrowings, up 10,000 from a year earlier.

                Access this complete report at:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/livestock/php/-bb/2005/hgpg1205.pdf