The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-08-01
THE FARMERS ASSOCIATION

most successful IN the entire country, is the
Southern Rice Growers Association, farmers
rough rice marketing organization composed
ol rice farmers Oh Louisiana, Texas and Arkan-
sas. Ibis ASSOCIATION MAINTAINS local agency
al w elsh under the direction Of Philip Il. Gov
eluale local agent. The Welsh district is re-
sarued as one OF the strongest IN the assocla-
llon, both in numbers and in percentage OF to-
tai acreage unuer contract.
The Southern Rice Growers Association was
organized in November, 1910, and began busl-
hess IN January, 1911 At the time Of the Or
ganization the rice market was IN a democrat
lied condition, roug rice being quoted at $2.3V
per barrel and very little rice moving. The as
ISOLATION declared that it would not sell the rice
OF It's members for less IMAM 9z.|o for NO. l.
For several weeks very little rice was sold, and
it soon became apparent that heavy carry
over into the ne wcrop was imminent. The as
ISOLATION then organized what was known as
1.-The export DEAL" by which quarter OF mr.
lion sacks of rice were exported, the ASSOCIATION
paying the farmers $40 for their rice anu
standing the loss involved. This loss amounted
to about $4,000.
AASSSSN
convince the trade that the association had
strength and financial backing. The result
was that the trade took hold of rice at the farm
ers' figures and pushed it into consumption.
The prospective carryover was cleaned up and
the season of 1911-12 began with bare mar
ket.
In the fall of 1911 the association put It's
prices up to 1926 and rapidly advanced them
to 1886 and $3.50, and the season closed with
rice selling around 1915. Conservative mlllers
said that the association had saved the farmers
fifty to seventy-iv cents sack on the crop.
The season of 1928 opened favoraby and
the association started the mnlmums at $3.oo
barrel. afterwards advancing the minimum
for Honduras to 1910 and $3.50. 1t was
thought that the price had been put too hgh,
but the trade responded to the farmers ad-
vance and the crop was sold by January at
high prices the last of the rice selling as hlgh
as $3.50 barrel.
While it is claimed that the association ran
the price of rice up to dangerously mgh hg-
ure. the season settled one point effectively,
and that was that the association could TX
prices high and maintain them. When the
minimums were fixed at $500 in September 1t
was freely predicted that the price could not
be maintained and that the ASSOCIATION would
have to recede from it's position. Association
members sold their rice on basis OF $500 ana
over. while many non association farmers look
a great deal less
It is safe to say that the Southern Rice Grow
ers' Association maintained the price OF rough
rice seventy-fve cents above what 1t Woulo
have been if the association had not been In
existence. .
The present outlook is that the farmers OF
Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas Will neeo the
services of this cooperative selling organlza-
ton this season more than ever before. Inc
indications are now that there will be conslu, q,
cradle carryover into the new crop, which VIII
be added to the visible supply to be marketed.
There is unquestionably very large acreage
planted, and with average weather conoltlono
until the end of harvest very large crop may
reasonably be expected
Tbe marketing Of the coming crop on basis
profitable to producers will call for the wlses'
efforts of every interest in the industry
It will be necessary to take advantage 81
every available market outlet
Above all COOPERATION will be neces
sary. =, e.. h,o,
Co-oneration has been successful for three
wears and it can be made successful TINS year
Co-operation in handling the raw material
tho basis Of all successful cooperation III tn
l.a4u1, Tf tho rice farmers WILL all &c