WHAT ARE FEEDER PIGS WOKTH? 



Feeder pige are selling at sacrifice prices in some sections of Illinois. 

 This raises the question of the short-time outlook for hog prices. In addition to 

 availability of feeds and lahor, what are some of the facts which should "be consid- 

 ered? 



As illustrated in the charts "below, marketing of hogs is normally- heavi- 

 est in the v;inter when the bulk of the previous spring's pig crop is sold, and in the 

 late spring and early summer when marketings of the previous fall's pig crop is 

 heaviest. Prices decline during these periods but usually rise during the months in 

 between. Although the range in price between the government support price of $15,75 

 and the ceiling price of $1^1-. 75 does not allow a normal seasonal fluctuation in hog 

 prices, same rise In prices may be expected from the government support levelv^ How- 

 ever, when the 19^5 fall -pig crop, now estimated at U7.8 million head, and 10 percent 

 larger than the record 19^2 fall pig crop, is marketed, slaughter will be heavy and 

 prices may again decline to support levels. 



Hogs sold in between these periods of large marketings should sell at 

 ceiling prices. Normally, March is a month of light marketings and higher prices. 

 Feeder pigs which can "be gotten ready for market in March or early April are worth 

 more than present hog prices indicate. 



L. F. Stice 



HOG PRICES 



Normal Seasonal and 

 Dol.lars Av. of Barrows and Gilts 

 per cwt, at Chicago, 19^5. 

 16,0 



15.0 

 li^.O 



13.0 



12.0 

 11,0 



Normal Seasonal^ 

 Based on 19^2 Average 



( 



19i^3 



J 



HOG SLAUGHTER 



U.S. Federal Inspected, 1952-U1 Av. 

 Million and 19^5 to Date, 

 head 

 7.0 



6.0 



5.0 



k.o 



3.0 



2.0 



t 



1932-^1 Av. 



J. »■: .-i. J". Kj 



J ; S N D 



