The Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 71, No. 184, Ed. 2 Monday, December 24, 1951 Page: 47 of 48
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"51 Grain Crop Big, but Not
| Big Enough, so Prices Climb
er. Hog population increased. Barn-wheat harvest sod fairly sizeable
yard fowl Bombers expanded. Cat- quantities entered the government
were fed well to get high mar-loan. The loan was extended: for
ket prices. Foreign countries start- the first time, to some lower
ed. " scramble for American grain grades of spring wheat io an“er
late in theYar-fort to hold up prices.
LESS. CARRYOVER BEANS PACE MARKET
A this led the agriculture de- In the autumn the market turned
partment in discussing the 1952 higher again, paced by soybeans.
to predict the carryover of Bean prices moved up much ear-
the four feed grains — corn, oats, lier than they normally do. After
barley and grain sorghums—would that, corn came to the forefront
be cut down by the start of the 1952 It pushed ahead in reflection of
year., , . - enormous feeding demand, which
in wheat according to the de-also helped oats despite huge ship
partment, in the current 1951-52 ments of Canadian oats to Chicago
marketing year, less wheat is be- Wheat joined the parade late in
ing produced than is likely to be the year.
used in this country and exported Foreign demand for American
Consequently, the carryover on wheat became very brisk. Many
F1952, will probably be about grain “ctt felt this country would
156100000 bushels below the mid--export more wheat than originally
figure of 395.000,000 bushels.' anticipated. Foreign countries
one. result of this undoubtedly turned here because of a severe
will be a government campaign to cut to Argentine production a
encourage farmers to produce as smaller outturn in Australia and
much grain as possible. A large Canada's difficulty in moving
acreage of winter wheat already wheat off farms '
has been planted and has gotten off As the year drew to its close.
wisplendid start. . cash prices were back up around
mecheat sank below the govern- the February highs. Futures on the
ment support price after the winter (Chicago Board of Trade were
bringing the best prices in major
grains since 1948 The possibility
existed that prices would climb to
a point where OPS price ceilings
would be imposed.
By WILLIAM FERRIS
I CHICAGO, —Grain is being
■ consumed faster than it is being
grown. 2 5
I That was the stand-out fact in
the grain picture this year. It was
I the force behind an upward move
I in prices, which got under way
around, mid-year and continued
through to the winter.
Crops weren't small. But they
[weren't large as many had
hoped they would be. The weather
didn t cooperate.
A wet spring caused late plant-
ing of oats, reducing yields. The
Southwest was hit by unusually
heavy rains just as the winter
wheat harvest started. A cool sum-
mer delayed corn’s growth, caus-
ing a large acreage to be caught
by frost
The whest crop totaled a little
under 1,000,000,000 bushels, the
corn crop around 3,075,000,000
bushels, oats 1,375,000,000 bushels,
rye 25,000,000 bushels and soybeans
more than 275,000,000 bushels. All
except rye were slightly smaller
than in 1950.
On a historical basis, these were
big crops. Not big enough, howev-
PHRISTMAS
GREETINGS
The season of hope and good
cheer is at hand, and to friends
and neighbors we send our
5 sincere greetings.
r
JACK'S
"MEN AND BOY’S STORE1’
110 Chestnut St. Phone 2-0476
WISHING
4 YOU ALL A
VERY MERRY .
er CHRISTMAS
Abilene Electric Co.
1325 Pine
Ph. 4-4994
THE ABILENE REPORTER NEWS u
Abilene, Texas, Monday Evening, Dec. 24, 1891 II-D
COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IN '52
There’ll Be More Beef in ‘52
But Prices Will Hold Steady
By LAWRENCE N. ELDRED
LEGEND
Severe Drought
Poor Cover
Dry
Fair Cover
Adequate Moisture end Cover
TEXAS DROUGHT CONDITIONS — Drought-ridden areas
of Texas are shown on the above map released by region-
al headquarters of the U S. Soil Conservation Service. Di-
rector Louis P. Merrill said the drought is the worst in the
state in three decades. Farmers and ranchers in nealy 130
state in three decades. Farmers and ranchers in nearly 130
weather. Poor plant cover is exposing agricultural land to
...... damage from both winds and water in the shaded area (AP
Photo Map.)
Abundant U. S. Farm Yields
Still Fail to Meet Demands
By OVID A. MARTIN
Associated Press Farm Editor
WASHINGTON — The year saw
the nation's agriculture smash
production records as farmers
responded to rising demands of
an economy inflated by defense
spending.
The combined volume of crops,
livestock and livestock products
was slightly larger than that of
1949 the previous record pro-
duction year. Even so, the output
was not nearly enough. The
country delved into reserves ac-
cumulated in (previous years to
help supply its needs.
Topping production wss meat
animals — particularly beef,cattle
and hogs. Much of the increase in
cattle, however, stayed on farms
to form the foundation of a larger
breeding herd— a herd that should
provide a vast increase in con-
sumer beef supplies within two
of three years.
BOUNTIFUL HARVEST
- level of farm prices climb to a
new record and then drop off
again under the influence of a
favorable crop outlook. While the
farm price level closed the year
at about the same level it started,
it averaged about 8 per cent above
the 1950 average.
The year saw the problem of
postwar surpluses disappear and
the threat of possible future short-
ages arise. In 1950, the govern-
ment held a record quantity of
surplus commodities under price
support programs. The cost of
these programs had stirred up
much public criticism.
Par above average harvests
were marked up for corn, rice,
cotton, hay, soybeans, tobacco.
oats, sugarcane, sugar beets, ap-
ples. pears, grapes and pecans.
Farmers took in a gross income
of $37,500,000,000 — an increase of
14 per cent over 1950. The agri-
culture department estimates that
production expenses totaled $22,-
500,000,000 or 12 per cent more
than in 1950. leaving producers a
net income of about 815 billion
compared with $12,700,000,000 in
1950.
While up about U per cent from
1950, the net income still was
about 82 billion below the record
set in 1947 — a year in which
prices average higher and pro-
duction costs somewhat less.
FARM PRICES UP
The year saw the general
NOTICE
Te My Friends And
Customers
As Of This Date
PAUL RIDGWAY
is no longer associated with key
Parnell Trucking Co. in any way
la the future please call one of
the following numbers.
Day Phone Office 4-8045
Night Phone 8. 6 “Bill”
Wittie..........2-1072
Or Roy Pernell 2-44*7
Thanks, Roy Pernell
In 1951 those stocks were
trimmed in half. What remains is
no longer considered surplus, but
a part of a reserve which, in the
view of farm officials, should be
larger for possible future emer-
gencies.
A public concerned with rising
often was critical of farmers. Yet
the price increases were confined
largely to meat, and particularly
beef. Farm prices of crop* as a
whole increased only about 3.5
per cent, but prices of livestock
and livestock products jumped up
about 15 per cen'
ABOVE PARITY
Toward the close of the
year, only six farms produets were
bringing producers more than
parity prices. They were cotton,
flue - cured type tobacco, sweet
potatoes, beef cattle, veal calves
and lambs. All others were selling
for less than parity.
Parity is a standard for measur-
ing farm prices. It is declared by
law to be equally fair to farmers
and those who buy their products.
The farm price situation was
marked by a determined but un-
, successful effort of some farm
| groups and livestock producers
to get government price ceilings
lifted from cattle. They” contended
the price controls would discour-
age production and in time bring-
severe shortages and consumer
rationing.
These groups did succeed, how-
ever, in getting congress to bar
a ten per cent rollback in cattle
prices before it went into effect.
COTTON AND CORN
The year shaw exports of farm
products continue at a high level.
On the whole, farmers got the
big production job done with less
trouble than had been expected,
earlier in the year. Heavy losses
of farm workers to the armed
services and to urban industries
had aroused fears of a labor
shortage at harvest time.
TECHNOLOGICAL progress and
the Increasing productivity of
farm labor continued to cushion
the effects of labor losses. The
decline In the number of workers
helped force farm wages up about
10 per cent during the year
The year ended with the govern-
ment drafting plans calling for
an ever larger volume of farm
products in 1952 The Job looked
as if it would be considerably
more difficult than that tor 1951.
Farmers faced not only a smaller
supplies of machinery, fertilizers,
supply of workers, but tighter
insecticides and other production
materials which also are needed
for the preparedness program.
CHICAGO. <» - Meat coat* you
more this year than last But it
might have been worse. And pre-
diction* are that next year isn’t
likely to be much if any better.
Key influence in the situation is
beef. The marketed supply was at
a Id-year low in 1951. Calf slaugh.
ter was lowest in 18 years. That is
because cattie producers held back
several millions of cattle and
calves for feeding and breeding
stock instead of sending them to
market.
In spite of the smaller supply,
controls stabilised prices consider-
ably, although at already high lev-
els They were levels at which
many consumers couldn’t stay in
the game. So in place of beef, they
turned to pork, poultry and fish
That pushed prices on the pro
tein foods higher too
And for next year the little folk
in the crystal ball have this to say
—always mindful, that is, of the
ifs of depression or full-scale war:
Somewhat larger beef supplies
should come into the market, per-
haps five per cent more but not
enough to lower prices so you will
notice it. You may not even see
much price lowering before 1955.
That is because it takes around
four years for big boosts in pro-
duction of cattle to show up on the
meat counters.
PORK PRICES STEADY
Prices on pork animals are not
likely to change much in 1952. The
experts sre looking toward a tam-
pering off in the upward trend.
In tapping all possible supply
sources, meat was imported at a
record rate. During the first eight
months imports ran 80 per cent
above 1950, with canned beef com-
ing in from Canada, Argentina and
Mexico, and pork from Canada.
The northern neighbor in May
also lifted an 11-year embargo
against sending hogs to the United
States.
But, for all the billions of pounds
of meat in market channels, de-
mand still seemed almost limitless.
There were more mouths than ever
to feed. There was more money
than ever with which to buy meat
to fill them.
There also was a constant and
increasing withdrawal of meat for
use by the nation's military forces.
IN THE DEEP FREEZE
Another big withdrawal of meat
was by farm and city folks wit
food lockers and home freezers.
They were storing meat in great
volume in fear of possible future
rationing or price jumps. This
meat usually is bought at whole-
sale and thus further shortens the
supply at the butcher counter.
With meat prices controlled but
live cattle prices not, meat proces-
sors said they were in a money,
losing squeeze. To meet this con-
dition the government then rolled
back beef cattle prices 10 per cent
effective June 4 and scheduled two
more rollbacks of 4% per cent
piece for Aug. 1 and Oct 1. The
first rollback was intended to re.
sieve the processor squeeze and the
next two to relieve the consumer.
A
C
THE NEW TEXAS MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY LAW
BECOMES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1952
S
ARE YOU
PREPARED
TO PROVE YOUR
FINANCIAL.
RESPONSIBILITY?
Evidence of security oB proof of financial responsibility must
be established under this law following any accident in which
any person is injured or killed, er property is damaged in
excess of $100.
Failure to file security (an auto liability policy, or a bond,
or up to $15,000 in cash or securities) will result in suspen-
sion of your driver’s licensel
AUTO LIABILITY IS THE COVERAGE YOU SHOULD HAVE TO
PROVE YOUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID SUS
PENSION OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSER
A SUBSTANTIAL DIVIDEND IS BEING PAID
ON CURRENTLY EXPIRING POLICIES
* Semi-Annual Premium Payments • Prompl Local Claims Service
* Texas Standard form. Non-Assessable Policy
MT FREE COPY OF A BRIEF DIGEST OF THIS LAW AT THE OFFICE OF
BOB COPELANL
1420 Pino St.
DISTRICT AGENT
Phono 22781
FARMERS INSURANCE EXCHANGE
the West’s
Wi
Auf
see
FARMERS[
I INSURANCE 1
( GROW
tries
On the farm production front,
the year saw major emphasis
placed on cotton and corn. The
nation moved into the year facing
a serious shortage of cotton. The
1950 crop had dropped to such a
low level that the government
found it necessary to restrict ex-
E ports in order to protect domestic
users.
The government put on a big
“grow - more - cotton" planting
campaign Aided by a sharp ad-
vance in prices to a record of 45
cents a pound, the campaign sue-
ceeded. but not to quite the degree
that officials had hoped for. The
crop feU a little short of the goal
largely because of a 1st* drought
to some producing areas. Never,
theless, the increase in produe-
tion enabled the government to
lift export restrictions.
The government also ree-
ommended a much larger corn crop
than was produced in 1950. It did
this because the sharp expansion
in the livestock industry had put
the country into * position where
it was Mint feed grains at a
greater rate than It was producing
them Reserve* were Dwindling
sharply.
CORN CROP
The corn crop, while far above
average, also fell short of the
government's goal. Farmers did
not get as many acres planted as
had been urged and the fall weath-
er was not too favorable in some
areas Fortunately, the reserves
still were large enough to meet
big demand* of feeders.
' LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE or raaaaar
or PENAL ORDINANCE
: Notice is hereby given that the /
Board of Commissioners of the City
of Abilene has finally passed an or-
t dinance on the 21st day of Decem-
ber. A.D. 1951, which ordinance will
be in full force andrenent larter pub.
lication on three consecutive days
which said ordinance is on me in the
ULa TERN MARTIN
Solon to Ask Farm Panel Probe
Of Cosily Foot-Mouth Fight
Reporter-News Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec 24. —The
House Agriculture Committee will
be asked early next year to take a
close look into the huge expendi-
ture of American dollars to fight
foot-and-mouth disease in Mexico,
a Texas Congressman said today.
Rep. Ker Recan of Midland said
he will ask the committee to do it
because be believes millions have
been wasted in the joint U. S.-
Mexican program to eradicate the
cattle disease south of the border.
“We've spent something like
$160,000,000 down there " Regan
said, “and I'm afraid that some
people down there on Uncle Sam's
payroll want to perpetuate this
thing and keep it going as long as
possible. I'm getting fed up with
An El Paso cattleman. Lowell |
Barkey. was recently quoted as
saying he had ‘’conclusive infor-
mation" that the new outbreak of
the disease which was reported
last August after eight months of
no cases of the disease at all "was
a fake"
Dr. B. T. Simms, chief of the
Bureau of Animal Industry for the
Agriculture Department, told this
newspaper, however, that Ameri-
can veterinary experts established
clearly that it,was foot-and-mouth
disease. He said further that
samples were sent to England,
where veterinarians concurred in
the finding of the disease
The disease was first found in
southern Mexico) in December
1946, and the joint U. S.-Mexiean
launched with a short time be-
launched within a short time Be-
fore the August outbreak this
Began is planning a trip to Mex-
ico City before the opening of Con-
gress. One of the purposes of go-
ing. he said, is to investigate for year, there had been no known
himself the conduct of the eradica- case of the cattie malady since De-
tion program. I cember, 1950
, CHRES
Tuopy New
too!
YEAR
G
TAYLOR COUNTY LUMBER
COMPANY
Jeff Haynie
701 Too..
P. M Staggers
. Assistant Manager
- Abilene, Texes
Cattlemen promptly headed for
Washington. They would accept the
first rollback, they said, but in-
sisted the next two would take the
profit out of their business The
price stabilisers and the President
stood firm, but Congress rescinded
the August and October rollbacks,
leaving cattle prices at their Juno
levels
CHIISTHAS
^
. you may hove a most joyous and cheerful
Christmos-,
We wish to express our sincere
thanks and appreciation for the won-
derful reception we have received during
our first three months of business.
JONES KENNYE STUDIO
229 Sayles
Phone 4.4161
weas...
lies in the thought that
we live in the memory
of our friends —
aseu ,
inge to all
R.EVoung
Insurance
Alexander Bldg. Ph. 2-8449
d Chag
TO EVERYONE
Mey the old time
spirit of Christmas
fill your heart today.
R. B. CLEMENTS
HUMBLE SERVICE STATION
South 8th & Treadway.
Phone 4-7382
HALBERT'S SERVICE STATIONS
We Give S&H Green Stamps
733 Grape 1301 Pine
Phone 4-8028 phone 2-0466
JOSH MORAN'S SERVICE STATION
14th & Butternut
Phone 2-0201
ELMWOOD SERVICE STATION
JOE B DAVIS
7th & Mockingbird Lane
Phone 2-0621
J. C. PENROD
Commission Agent
HUMBLE
Esso Extra
Gasoline
Tires
Batteries
Motor Oils
Accessories
$
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The Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 71, No. 184, Ed. 2 Monday, December 24, 1951, newspaper, December 24, 1951; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1648763/m1/47/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Public Library.