Hogs & pigs have historically been an important part of North Carolina agriculture. The industry has changed dramatically since the 1980's from the small farm raising a few hogs to large confinement type operations. North Carolina leads the country in this structural shift towards larger size farms, and the coordination between producers and processors. This shift is apparent when reviewing the number and size of operations.
In 1986, the state had 15,000 hog farms. Of these operations, 13,000 had less than 100 hogs and pigs, and only 800 operations had more than 500 hogs and pigs. Total hog inventory was 2.4 million head. By 2000, the total operations with hogs and pigs had decreased to 3,600. Operations that had less than 100 head controlled less than 1 percent of the total inventory of 9.6 million head. The 1,500 operations with more than 1,000 hogs controlled nearly 99 percent of the inventory, nearly 9.5 million of the June 1, 2000 total inventory.
In 1986, the state had 15,000 hog farms. Of these operations, 13,000 had less than 100 hogs and pigs, and only 800 operations had more than 500 hogs and pigs. Total hog inventory was 2.4 million head. By 2000, the total operations with hogs and pigs had decreased to 3,600. Operations that had less than 100 head controlled less than 1 percent of the total inventory of 9.6 million head. The 1,500 operations with more than 1,000 hogs controlled nearly 99 percent of the inventory, nearly 9.5 million of the June 1, 2000 total inventory.
North Carolina's number of cattle & calves on farms has remained relatively stable throughout time. The northern mountain and northern piedmont counties have traditionally raised the most cattle and remains the leading cattle producing area of the state.
Milk cow inventory and milk production have continued to decline in the State. Milk production reached a record high in 1985 with 1.748 billion pounds produced. The number of milk cows on farms was a record high 384,000 head in 1944
