The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-11-15
new PLAN FOR
STABILIzING
HOG PRICES

The following oficial statement Of
vital importance to the agricultural
interests has been issued by the
Food Administration as the conclu-
sions OF a conference between the
livestock subcommittee of the agri-
cultural advisory board, including
special members. representing the
swine industry, and of the Food Ad-
ministration:
The entire marketing situation
has so changed since the September
conference as to necessitate an en-,
tire alteration in the plan of price
stabilization. The current peace talk
has alarmed the holders OF corn and
there has been a price decline OF from
rs cents to 40 cents per busheL
The fact that the accumulation
of low priced corn in the Argentine
and South Africa would, upon the
advent of peace, and liberated ship
ping, become available to the Euro
pean market, has created great deal
of apprehension on the part OF corn
holders. This decline has spread
fear among swine growers that a sim
liar reduction in the prices OF hogs
would naturally follow. Moreover,
the lower range of corn prices would,
If incorporated in a 13 TO 1 ratio,
obviously result in a continuously
falling price for live hogs.
Rush Hogs to Market.
"In view of these changed condi-
tions many swine producers antcipat-
ed lower prices and, as a result,
rushed their hogs to market in large
numbers and this over-shipment has
added to and aggravated the decline.
"The information of the Depart
ment of Agriculture indicates that
the supply of hogs has increased
about per cent, while the highest
unofficial estimate does not exceed Is
per cent increased production over
last year. On the other hand, the
arrival of hogs during the last three
weeks in the seven great markets
has been 27 per cent more than last
year, during the corresponding period,
the unusually heavy
marketing of the available supply.
In the face of the excessive re-
ceipts, some packers have not main
a. onHnnd Loot month
On the other hand many Of the pack
ers have paid over the price offered
to them in an endeavor to maintain
the agreed price. The result In any
event has been a failure to maintain
the October price basis determined
upon in the September conference
and undertaken by the packers. An
other factor contributing 10 the
break in prices during the month has
been the influenza epidemic; it has
sharply curtailed the consumption Of
pork products and temporarily de-
creased the labor star OF the packers
about rs per cent.
THE exports Of 13o ,O0a, 900 pounds
Of pork products for October, com
pared with about $4,000, 900 pounds
in October a year ago, and the export
orders placeable by the Food Admin
istration for November, amoant to
170, ,000, 900, eontTasted with the
lesser exports Of S6,OoO,O for No
1917.
Allies Demand Increase.
"The increased demands of the al
Hes are continuing and are IN them
selves proof of the necessity for the
large production for which the Food
asked. The increase
In export demands appears to be am
ply sufficient to take up the increase
In hog production, but unfavorable
market conditions existing in October
afford no fair index of the aggregate
supply and demand.
1T must be evident that the enorm-
ous shortage In fats in the central
empires and neutral countries would
upon peace result in ad-
litional demands for pork products,
which, ON top of the heavy shipment
% the allies, would tend materially
10 increase the American exports, in
Lsmuch as no considerable reservoir
If supplies exists outside OF the
United States.
1T seems probable that the pres
mt prospective supplies would be in
adequate to meet this world demand
With the return of peace. So far as
t is possible to interpret this fact,
t appears that there should be even
! stronger demand fer pork products
lfter the war, and, therefore, any
llarm of hog producers as to the
,ffect of peace is unwarranted by
he outlook,