USDA report reveals startling facts about pig farms

A report released last week by the US department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed some startling numbers: US hog farm numbers dropped by 70% from 1991-2009, but hog farm inventories remained steady. According to ERS (Economic Research Service) the declining hog farm numbers suggest that the increased size of hog operations likely led to many small, high-cost operations ceasing to exist. Specifically, the report said the average hog farm grew from 945 head of hogs sold or removed under contract in