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Extension Service in Agriculture and Home Economics 

 University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Urbana 



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WEEKLY REVIEW AND FARM OUTLOOK LETTER 



By Oren L . Whalin • ' " ' 



Associate Professor of Agricultural Extension 

 (Prepared December 27) .V 



The weather slowed up market receipts for the week. Sheep advanced in price 

 and all classes of hogs remained strong. All classes of cattle closed the week down 

 from a week earlier some as much as a dollar a hundredweight. All grain prices re- 

 mained strong at or near ceiling levels. 



The total l^k'^ pig crop ia now reported as practically the same as for 19^^ 

 but 29 percent below that for 19^5. In spite of the smaller 19^5 spring pig crop the 

 number of hoga over six months old on farms December 1, 19^^, was about the same aa a 

 year earlier. Indications point to a four percent increase in sows to farrow in the 

 spring of 1914-6 as compared with the spring of 19^5. 



Tentative state goals call for production from Illinois farmers in 19**-6 ar 

 compared to 19^5 as follows: 



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The government's intention to allow the trade to work out a solution f'^r the 

 current ^acute protein shortage was emphasized as the Department of Agriculture de- 

 clined to put into force a control order on proteins mainly because such a regulation 

 would be almost beyond enforecement. The advisability of such an order is being 

 studied, yet regardl^s of the final decision no regulatory action will be taken be* 

 fore the first of the year, it was stated by agriculture officials. The only relief- 

 likely, government feed men said, must come from within the trade itself. 



The 19^6 federal egg support program has been disclosed by the Commodity 

 Credit Corporation to interested parties. It is based on a national average of 29 

 cents a dozen for the firsT^nix months, and is expected to cost in the neighborhood of 

 $250,000,000. Official announcement is expected daily. The program calls for govern- 

 ment purchases of dried and frozen eggs in carload lots, if necessary. 



In establishing a figure for support purchases, the government arrived at 20 

 cents a dozen because this reflects 90 percent of parity as of November 1. The aver- 

 age price scheduled for the middle western egg^area will be 27 cents a dozen, it was 

 learned. The government will buy shell eggs on & basis of wholesale and procurement 

 grades. No eggs will be bought direct from the producers. Purchases will be made in 

 carload lots at as near farm price levels as possible. 



Prospects for 19^6 indicate moderate increases in charges for marketing 

 most farm products. Increases will not be uniform for all products, and probably will 

 be large for only a few foods, particularly meat products. 



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■Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics; University of Illinois 

 College of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. 

 H. P. Rusk, Director. Acts approved by Congress May 8 and June 30, 191^. 



