The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-03-28
IDAHO FARMERS
WILL DIVERSITY
CROPS IN 1924
Potato and Wheat Acre
ages Decline Sharply
Survey Shows; Small
Crops Favorites

Idaho farmers :ntenu 10 piaht
oer cent less spring wheat and II pc
cent less potatoes than they plante
IN 1928. On the other hand. the.
intend TO pant IS per cent NOR
barley, IS per cent more corn, pc
cent more oats and 4 per cent NOR
bay than they did in 1923. The abov
represents what farmers had in min'
about March | when the survey wa
made. In Idaho, 425 farmers reported
and the United States figures ar,
based on $1,000 farmers representing
every county in the nation.
In Idaho. the tendency is evidcntl,
shif, from potatoes and wheat to suci
cash crops as beans. sugar bee,s and
pcas. The states bean acreage ha:
been as follows: 1921. 1900 acres
1922. 10000 acres; 1928. $4,000 acres
1924. (indicated) $1,000 acres, or 4e
per cent more than 1923. The mater;a
increase indicated for barley And corn
and to a less extent, oats and hay
reflects the increasing tendency to
market crops through dairy cows,
fat sheep and cattle.
Irrigation farmers arc watching the
situation with respect to water short
age resembling th.at OF 1919. Crops
and framing practices will be favored
which best meet the requirements OF a
shor, water year. The drought situa
ton in California and other western
states is factor to be considered
for 1924 indicates that farmers
ships to their markets each year.
Program is Normal
The general agricultural outlook
seem likely to maintain about the pre-
are undertaking a normal production
program. 1t is apparent. however.
that agricultural production this year
will still be attended by the difficulties
arising from higher wages and other
costs. loss OF farm workers, and the
general disparity between farm and
urban products.
Domestic demand for agricultural
products is at a high level. Urtan.
prosperity is reflected in heavy cur
rent consumption of fibers and high
quality foods. and this may be ex-
pectcd to continue into the summer
Foreign markets on the whole
favorable for producers of spring than
sent level OF demand for our cotton.
pork, wheat and tobacco The situa-
ton this season, with respect to labor
machinery. fertilizer credit. and other
cost items. is not such rs to favor any
expansion in production.
Wheats Look Better
The wheat situation shows some
tendency towards improvement. with
the market continuing somewhat more
epori intention to reduce their acreage
winter wheat. Spring wheat growers
indicated, reduction in acreage har-
~ per cent below last springs plant
ngs. Should abandonment of winter
wheat acreage be light, as at present
ndicated, the reduction inacreage rar-
'ested may not be proportional to the |
eduction in seedlings, as reported last
all.
notwithstanding that there will ap-
'arently be fewer animals in the coun-
ny to be fed next winter. corn grow
rs report intention to increase the |
Icreage 80 per cent. and in the corn
'eli proper to increase it 3.5 per cent
MS increase, il actually carried out
md accompanied by yields as good
IS IN recent years. would result in
arge supply relative to the probable
lemand for corn.
Inc swine industry is going through
period OF liquidation and discourage
nent Record runs OF hogs to market
ul continue. In the past such peri
as OF heavy production and low
'ices have led to a reduction in
feeding so drastic as to result later
p" IN shortage. and in reversal OF the
''h-hog balance. Indications arc that
OK producers have now passed the
eak OF production. and may be NOV
x INTO one or the recurreni periods
low production.
Dairy Supply is Light
ne dairy production has reached
point where gross domestic produc-
0H IN terms OF whole milk slightly
,0eeds gross domse,ir consumption.
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