OCR Text |
Show A recent test of six farms in one county of Southern California showed show-ed 36.6 per cent return on capital invested in pork production. This result was shown after proper consideration con-sideration of labor, land and equipment equip-ment and all feed used was charged at current market prices. This showing should not serve as an inspiration for everyone to rush into hog production, hut the demonstration demon-stration proves that there is good profit in raising hogs, if properly handled. Successful operations in that line depend upon several things some knowledge of the business or proper guidance of those who have had the actual experience, available feed and proper facilities. It is reasonable to assume that the business of hog raising is not adaptable to all sections of the state or to all of the great West, but keep- j ing in mind that in most of the Southwest, two pig crops can be had from the same sow that would only yielU one crop in other sections, we begin to recognize the tremendous advantage of climate which' is also a sideration the salvaging through the hog of many things that would otherwise other-wise be wasted and we should also appreciate that by charging the feed at market prices, we have a source of profit in addition to the possible profit in the sale of the hogs. The test shows the highest market values on the Coast between the first of April and the first of October and also shows the heaviest marketing during that period with July, August Aug-ust and September as the peak months. During the remainder of the year the heavy movement of the Corn Belt hogs brings about a decline de-cline in the Middle Western market, which in due course is reflected on the Western markets. Notwithstanding this situation, the Western producer marketing two hog crops throughout the year has a big advantage over the Corn Belt producer marketing only the one crop and at the time of the heaviest movement; hence, at the lowest price levels which occur during the winter months. We must keep constantly in mind the nee'd for the bacon -tvr.fi which commlands the best price on the Coast markets, limiting the weight to not exceed two hundred pounds. Again, the milder climate Is a favorable fav-orable factor for the reason that breeding, farrowing and fattening may be timed to fit the best marketing market-ing period. Other tests will doubtless doubt-less be miade in due course and it is encouraging to know that our Universities, Uni-versities, Farm Extension Service and farm agencies are taking such active measures in this important subject to find the cost of production and it is reasonable to assume that hog raising in the West and Southwest South-west will depend a great deal on the result of these tests; so let's all work through such channels to develop the facts. material factor in the number of pigs saved. The fertilizer element is an important im-portant feature and one of great value in building up and maintaining soil fertility, so that while we cannot can-not always figure the commercial value, still we know that without fertilization our lands continually decline in productivity until they finally become valueless from the standpoint of production; so It logically logi-cally follows that even though live stock is carried at a loss, the benefit bene-fit to the soil might still pay satisfactory satis-factory returns. But we come back to the 36.6 per cent profit, after paying pay-ing 6 per cent on the capital represented rep-resented in the transaction and after charging the market price for the feed used, which means another source of profit. But again speaking of the chance for profit, we must take into con- |