As of May 2012, Iowa had 19.7 million pigs and hogs, more than any other US state and about one-third of the country's pig and hog population. North Carolina was a distant second, with only 8.6 million hogs.
More about pigs and pork consumption:
- Christopher Columbus' ships brought pigs to the US in 1493.
- Before World War II, most pigs in the US were classified as lard pigs, capable of putting on large amounts of fat. Leaner beasts, on the other hand, were known as bacon pigs, which were better suited for being butchered for meat. Lard was rationed during World War II, so many people got used to using vegetable oils, reducing the demand for lard pigs and increasing the market for leaner animals.
- Pork consumption in the US peaked in 1944, at 54 pounds (24.5 kg) per person. Experts predicted that number would be about 44 pounds (20 kg) in 2012.