Illinois inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1 was 4.35 million head, down 6 percent from Dec. 1, 2013, and down 5 percent from last year. Breeding inventory, at 500,000 head, was equal to previous quarter but up 2 percent from last year. Market hog inventory, at 3,850,000 head, was down 7 percent from last quarter and down 6 percent from last year.
The December 2013-February 2014 pig crop, at 2.55 million head, was up 3 percent from 2013. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 255,000 head, up 4 percent from a year ago. The average pigs saved per litter was 10.00 for the December-February period, compared to 10.10 last year.