Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-31
FARMER TO FACE
VITAL PROBLEM
SHORTLY IN Sd.
May Use Corn For Feed Or
Market It; Stock Stu
alton Important

: Pierre. S. D., July Sit Will not
be many months before the farmers
in the eastern part OF South Dakota
corn or to haul it to market, while
at the same time the western South
Dakotan will be figuring whether he
should ship his feeder lambs or
steers. says J.. G. Holmes Of the state
department Of agriculture. The decis-
ion is always a vital one, Mr.. Holmes
points out, for upon it may depend
the difference between profit and loss
for both individuals. Should tho east
erner decide to sell, he dumps his
crop onto an already flooded market
probably when the price is at its low
est point. The westerner, If he, sells,
must take the going price the day his
unfinished product arrives at the cen
trail market
I'm 1921" Mr.. Holmes continued,
there were a number of lambs and
cattle fed on contract in this state
to the mutual profit of both the stock
man and the grain grower. Under the
plan fostered by the state agricultural
department, the stockman In the west
furnished the stockers to the formers
in the eastern part of the state who
had q surplus of grain. When finished
the animals were marketed and the
net return divided according to the
agreements made before the stock was
put In the feed lot.
This year, financial conditions be-
ing improved, the farmer~may be in
a position to buy his feeders, and nc
doubt many Of. them will. but there
will be a great number in the corn
belt who will hesitate on account Of
back freight charges and the wear
tear and fill Of shipping"
The department, according to Mr.
Holmes, is gathering information and
perfecting plans to eliminate SC, fal
az is possible the Objectionable fea'
lures of marketing and handling
feeders and substituting a practica'
pasture to feed lot plan.
"In the first place." Mr.. Holme:
points out. "most farmers cannot at
ford to go west and spend a week Oh
possibly ten days picking up a carload
of mixed steers. Neither do they take
and back haul necessary when the,
purchase their feeders at the stool
markets. Therefore the contract feed
ing scheme makes an appeal and it i!
one way of avoiding price misunder
standings"
Representative buyers for a com
munity is, another suggestion for tn,
pasture to feed lot" scheme. which
Mr.. Holmes makes. A good dealer. HI
declares. could go west and fill or
ders for a whole community. A stock
err and feeder day once or twice
month during September and Octobe
at Huron, Mitchell, Aberdeen AM
Sioux Falls might be another methot
! which would eliminate to a large ex
tent ~shrinkage and back haul.
The most efficient way. accordin!
to Mr. Holmes, and one which is be
Ing used only by a very few. is 70
a feeder to establish confidence II
the stock producer and take hi
feeder stock year after year. This. h
explained. requires a co-operativ,
spirit, a knowledge of values and fai
dealing by both parties.
South Dakota Mr.. Holmes con
cluded, must always be a %livestocl
state for the reason that 1t produce
in abundance plenty of rough fee,
and. is a long way from the consum
ing centers. Any saving that can b.
effected for the development Of SCUM,
production principles. which will ge
the producers a more equal share o
the consumers dollar, will be a prof
to the state"