.-- *i»w,-. r-y-'-^i^jmi --r-..^- 



« 



r 



c- 



THE HOG PRICE SITUATION 

 By L. F. Stlce, Extension Marketing Specialist 



Last veek*s break in hog prices, the first noticeahle one since mid-January 

 of 19^5 > raises the question of whether hogs should be held to heavier weights or 

 marketed now. The answer to this question depends partJ^Tupon the weights of hogs 

 and the quality of com on hand. 



Prospective supplies of pork are not large Ih relation to demand. Storage 

 stocks of pork on November 1, 19^5, were down k^ percent from a year previous and the 

 smallest on record. The 19^4-5 spring pig crop is 7 percent less than the 19^^ crop. 

 However, there are indications that marketings have been delayed this fall and may be 

 bunched more than nonoally in the winter months. Since last February, monthly receipts 

 of salable hogs at the 12 public markets have been less than half of those of a year 

 previous (see chart). But combined receipts for the first four days of last week at 

 12 public markets, I9 concentration points and 11 packing plants in Interior Iowa and 

 southern Minnesota were nearly as large as a year ago. Although shortage of packing 

 plant labor--one reason for the present price decline — may Improve after the first of 

 the year, hog prices will likely remain below ceilings through the season of heavy hog 

 marketings. 



MONTHLY RECEIPTS OF SALABLE HOGS AT 12 PUBLIC MARKETS 

 SEPTEMBER 19^15 TO OCTOBER 191^5 



# 



2,500 



2/000 



1,500 



.^^^ 



/ 



191^3 -U1+ 



\ 



./ 





\, 



J 



\ 



\ 



191^1^-1^5 



\. 



\ 



^ 



\__ 



19^5-1^6 

 .^1 J K 



Sept, Oct, Nov. Dec. Jan, Feb. Mar, Apr, May June July Aug. 



