Imperial Valley press., 1919-01-06
F A RIM BUREAU
REPORT SHOWS
YEARS PROGRESS


I The annual report of the Imperia
| County Farm Bureau, made public !:
few days ago, shows at glance th'
good results achieved. The report fol
lows:
Ten thousand acres planted tx
| wheat in 1918, against 1900 in 1917
Marketing of Hogs and Other Live
stock
1. Preliminary to formation o.
association a hog auction sale wa:
organized Well advertised in loca
papers. Canvass of individual hos
raiSers.
2. Abundance of hogs assured al
auction by signing of agreement by
hog growers to give 2 per cent COM
mission on their sales, 10 per cent pen
atty if they sold outside of marketing
association.
3. Invitations to outside buyers
Four outside buyers attended the sale
4. Donations of use of stock yards
and scales secured.
Results
1. When Farm Bureau took up sale
prevailing valley price was $500 un-
der Kansas City price. When sale
was accomplished, price reached with
in 65 cents of Kansas City price.
.. Six carloads of hogs sold at S15
to $15@15.45. Top price, $17.1O. At
the same time highest price realized
for a hog sale in California. Aver
age price realized, 1-2 per cent
higher than price of hogs before auc-
ton.
3. Local buyers continued to give
better prices for hogs for some time
after auction,
l. Educational results excellent.
All types of hogs sold. Some very
fine specimens and some small rough
ones. Farmers had excellent demon
stratior why some hogs sold for more
than others.
Cow Testing Observation-Disclosures
Two cow testers secured from Agrl-
cultural school to do testing work.
Members Of association frequently
auction off COWS and so association
decreased in numbers, more cows be-
ing nee5e dto retain testers.
A list OF the cows producing the
most butter fat was published every
month in local papers. This resulted
in several outside dairymen entering
their cows in association.
Results
Marked increase in selling price of
cows in the association. One tested
herd Of IS averaged $3.50 piece. An
other of 33 averaged S133.50.
Ferns Silver Ray No. 3O5OS1 made
a state record for mature cows OF
Jersey breed of butter fat, 1880
pounds. Six of her half sisters aver
a ged butter fat, 5S5.8, milk 1O983.8 In
one year-5791 cows tested in first
five months; 148 cows gave pound
and a half of butter fat per day.
Third Annual Farm Assembly
This was a great holiday for the
Holtville district. Seven hundred
people gather from all parts OF
valley to listen to educational and
addresses by prominent
speakers of state and national fame.
Results
/. Increased prominence to the
work and position of the Farm Bu-
reau in the valley.
2. Education along the lines of
improved stock on the farm; con-
servation of water and other agri-
cultural interests.
3. Formation of Imperial Valley
Milk, Producers association.
Sheep Raising on Small Farms
Articles in local papers and Farm
Bureau Monthly.
Addresses at Farm Center meet
ings.
Personal interviews with farmers.
Census of all sheep available for
small flocks for sale in the valley.
Four hundred sheep spoken for at
present writing. It is expected to
secure these from local growers and
place them on eight separate ranches.
increase Wheat Campaign for 1919
Methods
/. Article in Farm Bureau Monthly
2. Article in local papers.
3. Quotations on wheat situation
from U. S. weekly reports.
4. Talks at Farm Center meetings.
.. Careful survey of local source
OF wheat made.
6. Exhibition of samples repre-
senting this local source, kept during
the sowing season on public counter
at the Farm Bureau office.
Z. Emphasis laid on advantage OF
planting wheat on last years barley
acreage.
8. Smut control urged by-(a)
Publicity; (b), Expert from Univer.
sity visiting ranchers.
Result
/. Ranchers brought in touch WITH
seed dealers.
2. Estimated 10000 acres will be
planted.
8. Many ranchers induced to treat
seed for smut by visit of University
specialist.
Associations Organized
Completely Organized - Imperial
Valley Milk Producers association
$50 members.
Methods
The plan of organization was pre-
-