HOGS AND PIGS 



The inventory of hogs and pigs in Massachusetts on December 1, 1981 totaled 49,000 head, unchanged from 

 the record low set in 1980. The inventory included 12 percent breeding animals and 88 percent animals 

 intended for market. The value of the December 1, 1981 inventory totaled $3.9 million, 7 percent more 

 than on December 1, 1980, but 15 percent below the record high 1978 inventory value. The average value 

 per head was a record high $79.50 on December 1, 1981, up from the $74.50 on December 1, 1980. 



The pig crop for 1981 (December 1980-November 1981) of 58,000 head was down 11 percent from the 65,000 in 

 1980. Sows farrowing for the year totaled 9,000 head, 1,000 below the number that farrowed in 1980. The 

 litter size in 1981 averaged 6.4 pigs, below the 6.5 pigs per litter in 1980. The spring (December-May) 

 pig crop for 1981 totaled 26,000 head, down 13 percent from the 1980 spring crop. The 1981 fall (June- 

 November) pig crop totaled 32,000, down 9 percent from the 1980 fall crop. 



The 1981 hog production of 56,000 head, with a record low total live weight of 13.3 million pounds, was 

 down 19 percent from the total live weight production in 1980. The gross income from hog production in 

 1981 was $5.8 million, down 11 percent from the $6.5 million in 1980. Farmers marketings in 1981 of 

 55,000 head, with a total live weight of 12.8 million pounds, were 21 percent fewer pounds than in 1980 

 and the lowest since 1926. 



HONEY PRODUCTION 



Apiarists in Massachusetts kept 11,000 bee colonies in 1981, 1,000 colonies less than in 1980. Although 

 weather conditions were favorable in 1981 for honey production, many colonies were damaged from spraying 

 for the gypsy moths which held production to 253,000 pounds, down from the 288,000 pounds in 1980. Yield 

 per colony in 1981 was 23 pounds compared to 24 pounds in 1980. The 1981 value of production was $279,000, 

 less than the $294,000 in 1980. Apiarists in 1981 received a record high average price of $1.04 per pound, 

 up from the $1.02 per pound received in 1980. 



