Cavalier County farmers press. (Langdon, N.D.) 1920-1921, 1920-07-15
~ A - -
Wheat in United States J
Produced at a Loss

WneaC IN UnlCeQ states
Produced at a Loss
Cost Of wheat production studies
made by the United States department.
of agriculture and just published indi-
cate that in many sections Of the
United States wheat is being pro-
duced at a loss.
The department Of agriculture made
its Investigations on 4S1 farms. It
says of its method:
Trained enumerators interviewed
the wheat growers and obtained from
them careful estimates with reference
to the man, horse and tractor labor
that was utilized in producing the 1919
wheat crop. These records were taken
in such a way as to provide complete
data concerning the hours of man,
horse and tractor labor required in
performing the various, field opera
tons, beginning with the initial prep
aration of the land and concluding
with harvest and market costs. "A
careful analysis was also made Of the
value Of man and horse labor, the
quantity of seed and Irvine used and
the value of same, rental value of
land, taxes and insurance, crop risk
and overhead expense"
The department does not tell what
interest was allowed the farmers on
their investment, but it is significant
that a Kansas investigation along the
same lines allowed the farmers q re-
turn Of only 5 per cent, whereas war
contractors were allowed 10 per cent
on the "cost plus" basis and 10 per
cent is now charged by practically all
western banks.
The investigation shows, however,
that the average cost of raising a
bushel of wheat on these 4S1 farms
was $2.15, allowing NJ profit to the
farmer, while the cost of producing
spring wheat was placed at $2.65.
The Investigations of the cost Of
producing spring wheat were confined
to North Dakota, Minnesota and South
Dakota. North Dakota was found to
have the lowest average. cost per acre
-$20.35-but the highest average cost
per bushel-$3.25. In Minnesota the
average cost per acre was $23.26 and
the average cost per bushel $2.S1. In
South Dakota the records show an
average cost per acre of $23.70 and a
cost per bushel of $2.4O, but it is sig
aificant that the investigations were
all made in Sphinx county, one Of the
best producing areas in the state, and
hat of the $500 acres seeded in the
farms selected for these investigations
every acre was harvested, a record
hat hardly can be maintained
throughout any large section.
Fifty per cen Of the total wheat
produced cost from 1920 to $500 per
bushel, the investigation showed.
Therefore nearly half the farmers, in
stead of making a profit, operated at
IN actual loss.
NewtonaD. Baker, secretary Of war,
las just squeaked again on universal
Military traing. This time the mouth
,iece for General March issues an or
Ter for a special survey by the war
Mans division Of the general staff to
ind out just what changes will be
necessary in the existing scheme Of
lrmy posts and environments to per-
nit of universal compulsory military
raining.
Bismarck, July.-More than $50 lille
| gal votes were cast in Bismarck, ac-
| cording to States Attorney Edwards.
Allen, who is Investigating the alleged
frauds.aL v. A. supporters voted mem
bers Of a road gang passing thru, some
of whom confessed that@they had been
in the state only two days previous
to the election. Several cases are on
hand where Minnesota citizens who
voted in the Minnesota primary also
sa.ed IN bismarck.