U.S. pork industry continues to grow

The U.S. pork industry continues to grow as producers take a measured approach in advantageous market conditions including cheap feed prices and strong demand.Analysts saw no surprises in the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs report, which indicated a healthy, profitable industry going forward.Total U.S. inventory as of Sept. 1 was 73.5 million head, up 2 percent from the year earlier and up 3 percent from the June report.Breeding inventory, at 6.09 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up slightly from the previous quarter.Market hog inventory, at 67.5 million head, was up 3 percent from last year and up 3 percent from last quarter.The June-August 2017 pig crop, at 33.0 million head, was up 2 percent from 2016.