The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-21
N. %. Farm Outlook
Reef Cattl~

Prices of slaughter cattle are ex.
pected to average somewhat higher
for. 1927 than for 1926 and stockers
and feeders probably will be in
strong demand. The number of cat
tie to be marketed in 1927 will be
notably less than in 1926 while no de-
crease in demand is expected. There
is little probability Of increased com.
petition from abroad.
The number of cattle in the United
States decreased in 1926 due to the
exceptionally heavy slaushterings.
The largest decrease occurred in the
west central states, due to drought
conditions but nearly all sections
showed some decrease except the
southwest where good range condi-
tions have induced some increases.
A reduction of 10 to Is per cent
in the total cattle marketings is
expected this year compared to 1926,
and a reduction in the number of
milk cows and increased prices for
them is expected to reduce the num-
Der of calves for slaughter. Stocker
and feeder demand is likely to be
large during the last four months of
this year. The usual spring decline
Of prices is not expected to be as
great as usual. Heavy feeders should
sell to advantage next fall over
light weight stuff. Cattle prices
should continue their upward swing
in the cycle which began in 1922.
Dairy Products
The prospect for good prices for
dairy products for 1927 is about as
favorable as for 1925 unless the pas
ture should be very good, which
might induce some increased produc.
ton. There was decrease in the
number of dairy cows on farms in
the United States in 1926 compared to
1925. While some sections of the
northwest were increasing the num-
Der of dairy cows other sections were
decreasing even more rapidly, due to
the relatively high price Of feed in
those areas. The ratio of heifers to
cows ut present is not large enough
to maintain the present number of
milk cows on farms. Present prices
Tor dairy stock will doubtless induce
some increase in the number Of heif-
err calves saved during the coming
year.
The greatest threat to dairy prices
is seen in imports from foreign coun-
tries. Practically every butter-pro-
ducing country has increased the
number of milk cows. The prices of
butter in the United States have been
much higher than in these countries
for some time. New York butter
prices have been as much as II
cents higher than in Denmark at
times during the past six months.
The United States has been on a
small import basis lately. While
dairy production has increased ma
terially in foreign countries the con-
Stunning demand is also increasing
and it is probable that the increased
buying power Of such countries as
England and Germany will nearly
take care Of the increased produc-
ton.
Hog prices for the next six months
should be about on level with the
same period of 1926 with about the
same essential swings. The last half
of 1927 may see hogs slightly lower
than for the same period Of 1926.
The pig crop in the corn belt was
only slightly larger in 1926 than in
1925. The breeding of sows last fall
was nearly the same as that of
year ago. Cholera losses made fur
Their decreases in supplies. If the
same number Of sows can be main
tanned and bred there is every pros
pect that hog prices can be maintain
ed through 1928, but material in
creases will doubtless reduce prices.
Consumption will be about the
same in 1927 as in 1926 or only
slightly less. Foreign demand is on
the increase but increased production
in foreign countries is also taking
place. This is not good time to go
into the hog business on q large
scale.