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Show nSWLivestQCle JnSituaxionJ There continues to be broadcast a wealth of information, and in some cases misinformation, on the merits of selling at the farm or country concentration con-centration points or at the central livestock markets. By the advocates country buying, the unexpected break of hog prices during 1927 is attributed attribut-ed to weakening of export demand, falling off in consumer demand and various and sundry other reasons too numerous to mention. The believers in the economic soundness of the central cen-tral livestock marketing system of our country claim, of course, that the unknown quantity represented in the trade by country hog buying caused the severe break in the face of a curtailed cur-tailed hog supply. Some of the arguments advanced seem incompatible. For instance, in a recent article a prominent packer pointed out the benefits to the producer produc-er of having access to the world markets mar-kets and how much more profitable this was than the old situation when the producer of livestock was forced to seek for what he could' get for his product in his home market. This article stated that in case there was too much livestock at the local point, the producer suffered, but by the same grace, if there were fewer few-er animals, he profited. This article shows, without the question of a doubt, that having had the world markets mar-kets made available to the producer of livestock has been of great benefit to the industry and this, from an economic ec-onomic standpoint, certainly is true. Naturally, the broader the scope and number of outlets which the producer has for his commodities, the stronger position he is in, as he receives the benefit of the function of the laws of supply and demand and is given the opportunity to choose the best market for his livestock. On the heels of this article there appeared an article by another packer stating it was immaterial where hogs were marketed, they are simply so much pork and the price level is gauged nationally rather than locally, reflecting the influence of the price of other foods, the weather, industrial conditions, etc. From this theory the hog purchaser would be in as strong position to follow the old time custom of waiting for the country buyer to come to his farm, or ranch, or to sell in the country coun-try in .some manner as he is to take advantage of the wide range of markets mar-kets which are offered him under the system of public livestock markets, which have logically developed to meet the needs of economical marketing market-ing and distribution. There seems to be a sincere desire on the part of all concerned to bring out all the facts in connection with the marketing of hogs and there probably prob-ably is no element in the industry that would accede to a chcange more quickly than the central markets if a more practical, efficient and economically econ-omically sound method of marketing livestock were brought forward. However, How-ever, when a step appears in the offing of-fing which does not seem progressive naturally & great many arguments arise and from the advancing opinions from different sources much good will come. It would seem to be the duty of producers and everyone connected with the industry, both for his personal per-sonal information and in the interest of the industry, to secure all possible data in connection with this situation. |