The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-03
The Agricultural Outlook for 1921

Summary: Inc lOllOWlHB Stdte-
ment OF the agricultural outlook for
1924 based upon current information
and upon reports from $4,000 farmers
representing every agricultural coun-
ty in the country, stating their IN
tentions regarding the planting OF
spring crops, has been prepared by
the Bureau of Agricultural Economics
of the United States Department OF
Agriculture to provide n basis upon
which producers may make readjust-
ments to meet economic changes.
The general agricultural outlook
for 1924 indicates that farmers are
undertaking q normal production pro-
gram. Ii IL apparent. however, that
agricultural production this year will
still be attended by the difficulties
arising from high wages and other
costs, loss Of farm workers, and the
general disparity between prices OF
farm and urban products.
Domestic demand for agricultural
products is at high level. Urban
prosperity Is reelected in heavy cur
rent consumption of flbers and high
quality foods and this may be ex-
pected to continue into the summer.
The situation this season with re-
spect to labor machinery, fertilizer,
credit and other cost items is not
such az to favor any expansion In
production.
The wheat situation shows some
tendency toward improvement with
the market continuing somewhat more
favorable for producers Of spring than
winter wheat Spring wheat grow
ers report intentions to reduce their
acreage IA per cent below last
springs paintings. Should abandon
ment of winter wheat acreage be
light, as at present indicated, the re-
duction in acreage harvested may not
be proportional to the reduction in
seedlings as reported last fall.
Notwithstanding that there Will ap-
parently be fewer animals in the
country to be fed next winter, corn
growing report intentions to increase
the acreage per cent and, in the
corn belt proper to increase it 3D.
per cent. This increase, if actually
carried out and accompanied by
Yields as good as in recent years,
would result in a large supply rela-
tive to the probable demand for
corn.
The swine industry is going through
a period OF liquidation and discour-
agement. Record runs of hogs to
market still continue. In the past,
such periods OF heavy production and
low prices have led to a reduction in
breeding so drastic as to result later
on In shortage and in reversal of the
corn hog balance. indications are
that hog production have now passed
the peak of production and may be
moving into one of the recurrent per-
iods of low production.
The dairy industry has expanded
to the point where gross domestic
production, in terms of whole milk,
slightly exceeds cross domestic con-
sumption. Although 1S,0000o0
pounds net of butter and 54000,0OO
pounds of cheese were imported dur
ing 1898, stocks of condensed milk
and other products, more than equi-
valent to these imports. were piled up
within the country. Judging from
the numbers of cows on farms, there
will be further.increase in domestic
production In 1924. Foreign surplus
production is likewise steadily in
with the already heavy production in
this country and the possibility that
| consumer demand may not be indefi-
nitely maintained at levels predicated
upon great industrial prosperity, sug-
gest the necessity for conservation as
to further expansion in dairy produc-
ton.
With indications of reduced
number of lambs on feed and lower
shipments to market, the prospects
favor continuation OF a strong market
for several months with larger mar
ket supplies in midsummer. The
wool situation is distinctly favorable
for producers and there is apparently
opportunity of present for profitable
increase in the number of sheep
Poultry production has expanded
rapidly in recent years. The~record
number of chickens now on farms in
dicates further expansion in 1924.
Consumption has also increased at q
rate that has maintained average
prices to production, Present COM
paratively low storage stocks place
dressed poultry in somewhat strong
er position than eggs. 1t would APP
pear that poultry production is. now
at point where further profitable
expansion may be dependent upon
continuation of the present high lev
ell of demand.
The tobacco growers generally in
dictate an intention to plant about
the same acreage as last year The
demand for export types of tobacco
has encouraged growers to plan ex
pansions of area of these types. while
the unfavorable market has led grow
ers to dark varieties to indicate re-
duced paintings for 1924 Barley
stocks are still high and intentions
toward increase in acreage should be
considered in the light of this fact.
A decided increase in peanut acre
age in the southern states is planned
by growers, apparently. to replace
cotton. The stock on hand and in
creased imports make 1t desirable