The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-04
PRICES ON FARM
STOCK SURPASS
FORMER RECORDS.
In NORTH DAKOTA.
Pork Reduction on Decline
In State With Prices
Making New Records
STOCK MARKETING
UNUSUALLY HEAVY
A. J. Surratt Issues An
nual Report on All
Glasses Farm Stock

Production costs have scared to
new high records and with the ex-
ception of horse and mule values
which have slightly declined, the
value OF all classes of farm stock
noticeably exceeds all former records,
according to the report of A. J.
Surratt of Grand Forks, state field
agent, which deals with estimate of
numbers and prices per head of
livestock on January /, for a period
covering FIVE years.
The most noticeable feature Of the
report is the big decline in swine
production. when has been falling
since the year 1915 with an esti-
mated number Of swine in the state
at 706, 900. In the following year,
this number was reduced to $50, 900
and on January /, 1918, Mr.. Sur
rats estimate is 100000. but note
the increase in prices. In 1916
swine brought nine dollars; in 1917,
thirteen dollars and on January ],
1918. twenty-dollars and eighty
cents.
Sheep production shows an in
crease of $4,000 head in a years
time: mich cows an increase Of g.
600 head and horses an increase Of
jumped from $40 to S11.S0 from
1917 to January /, 1918; the price Of
milch COWS from $3.50 to $69. and
the price to horses fell from $106
to S102.
The increase in swine production
in the United States is given at g.
ST1 900 head in the United States;
sheep show an increase of 1,284,00O
head: milch cows, 100000 head;
horses, $4,000 head and other cat
tie 1851. 900 head.
The plans of the North Dakota
farmers last spring were to continue
the practice Of the last few years OF
increasing the number of livestock
on the farms, especially OF cattle
and sheep. The obligation placed on
farmers as a result OF the present
war needs further stimulated their
uleas for increased meat production.
Stock Marketing Heavy.
Agent Surratt states that the
1917 crop which followed was very
disappointing. Due to scarcity and
high priced feed farmers in large
areas in the state were obliged to
ctlrtail their earlier plans. Livestock
marketing has been unusually heavy.
Excepting hogs which have decreas-
ed % per cent from year ago ship |
ping receipts indicate tnaL the BtdLe~ !
ment so commonly heard about the
state of tremendous decrease IN
livestock numbers from last year is
with the possible ex-
ception Of certain localities chiefly |
outlined to the northwest quarter OF
the state.
He says that the increased ship
ments Of cattle represent more
nearly tho entire natural increase
for the past year than inroads into
the supply a year ago. The January
report shows noticeable decrease
in steers Of all ages, but this loss
is about Offset by the gain in breed
ing cattle of all ages. Mich cows
for the state as a whole even show a
slight increase. Owing to the at
tractive price of mutton and the
increase in the price of
wool, the sheep industry is rapidly
favor in the state.
Demand For Horses Light.
The demand for horses for mill
tary purposes has been extremely
light and on the other hand the use
of autos, auto trucks and tractors is
displacinR the usual de-
mand for horses. The most encour-
aging feature OF this seasons live
stock report is the unusual effort