OCR Text |
Show Hog Prices Were Very Low in 1922 Pure Bred Swine Business Suffered Depression With Other Farm Branches. (Prepared by the Tnlted States Department of Agriculture.) Sale prices of pure bred hogs reached a very low level In 1922, according to a recent survey made by the United States Department of Agriculture. Analysis of the reports on the sale of 30.3S2 pure bred hogs In 1922 indicates that the pure bred sw ine business has suffered depression along witli other branches of agriculture. The reports received present a fairy accurate picture pic-ture of the business, in the opinion of department officials, although they do not represent a large number of animals. ani-mals. Number and Price of Hogs. The number of hogs of the five breeds on wdiich reports were received are: Berkshire, 1,762; Chester White, 8,922; Duroc Jersey, 8,556; Hampshire, Hamp-shire, 4,910; and Poland China, 5,232. The average price received for each breed, Including all ages and both sexes at both private and auction sales was: Berkshire, $30.57; Chester White, $42.72; Duroc Jersey, $45.91; Hampshire, $44.42; and Poland China, $41.94. Auction sale averages were from $10 to $25 above those sold at private treaty. This difference, It Is pointed out, is due partly to the large number of pigs under eight months of age sold privately, whereas auction sales are usually confined largely to more mature animals and involve a larger number of bred gilts, service boars and bred sows. Highest Prices by Breeds. Sales reported at less than $7.50 per head were omltpted in calculating the averages, as sates at such low figures were not considered to be legitimate pure bred sales. The highest prices by breeds indicated by the reports were: Chester White, $740; Poland China, $500; Hampshire, $500; Duroc Jersey, $550; and Berkshire, $250. Of the 30.3S2 hogs reported upon, 421 brought $150 or more. These were distributed by breeds as follows: Berkshire, Berk-shire, 19; Chester White, 15S; Duroc Jersey, 130; Hampshire, 47; Poland China, 67. A few bred sows and gilts sold above $150, but the average price was about $50. This survey Is a new feature of the new service work of the bureau of agricultural economics, of the department, depart-ment, and is the first of a series of surveys to be made at intervals of six months. |