Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-03-02

Pork production is in a distinctly
less desirable situation than IL
months ago. Horses and mules are
on about the same basis as a year
ago.
The production of dairy products,
marketing period and slowed down
beef, lambs and wool is affording
satisfactory returns. Since violent
changes in production programs are
likely to prove Improbable, stress
should continue to be laid upon eff
cient and economical production
rather than upon large production.
Dairying:
Dairying in Maryland would APP
pear to be in about the same posi-
ton it was a year ago. The price
received for milk is likely to be
maintained at a satisfactory level.
Although the price of concentrates
relative to the price of milk is
slightly higher than a year ago,
milk production should continue to
be a satisfactory source of income,
if no material expansion in dairy
ing is made.
There is a tendency toward a
slight expansion in dairying. On
January l, 1928, there were esti-
mated to be $4,000 dairy cows two
years old and over, on farms in
Maryland. This is an increase of
a per cent over year ago. The
past year has also seen an increase
of about per cent in the number
Of dairy heifers one to two years of
age. Although $500 dairy cattle
were condemned on test for tubercu-
losis during 1927 the total number
of dairy cattle on farms is in ex-
cess of year ago. This slight in
crease in the number of dairy cows
will probably no more than keep
pace with consumptive demands con-
sequent upon the growth in popula-
ton and the increased per capita
consumption of milk and other dairy
products.
Economical milk production
through the use of pure bred sires,
elimination of Improbable cows, the
rearing of young stock superior in
production to their dams, and inteli-
gent feeding practices and herd
management, should be the object
sought rather than greater produc-
ton through a mere increase in the
number of dairy animals.
Beef Cattle:
Beef cattle feeding promises to
continue to occupy a strong position
during 1923. The recent tendency
to recognize the superior market
value of the higher grades of dressed
beef may offer an opportunity for
the profitable finishing of a larger
proportion of good, choice, and prime
beef cattle on some farms in the
State. Feeders should not undertake
on this account to make a radical
change in their feeding operations
without giving careful consideration
to the requirements for the success
full production and marketing of the
better grades of cattle. Producers
who raise their own cattle for fatten-
ing should not raise low grade beef
cattle, though cattlemen who pur-
chase stocker or feeder cattle may
sometimes find it most profitable I'M
der their conditions to use cattle of
relatively low quality. Market con-
siderations continue to deserve care
full attention in buying stocker and
feeder cattle and in disposing of fat
cattle.
Swine:
The present January, 1929.
market price of hogs is relatively
low, as compared with the price of
corn, and any extension of pork
production in 1928 should be under
taken only on farms or in localities
where conditions are highly favor
able. Efficient production is needed
if satisfactory returns are to re-
suit under the present corn-and-hog
price ratio. The situation is not so
acute as to justify any large elimina-
tion of hogs from the usual farm
production program, but there
should be a general adoption of eco
nomieal methods of feeding, manage
ment and marketing. The high price
of corn emphasizes the need for
using suitable supplements in con-
neetion with corn and rations for
hogs. Sanitation that will hold down
losses from diseases and parasites
should be generally adopted. Those
farmers who have the requisite
ability and a good outlet may ma
terially increase the net returns
from their market hogs by selling
them as sausage, cured meat, or
other meat products. Especial at
tention to the use of efficient ami
mails and sound methods of produc-
ton and marketing is needed. Should
there later develop a need for a
larger volume of production, this
may be brought about by holding
hogs until they attain relatively
heavy weights, though it should be
borne in mind that heavy hogs are
more costly to produce than are
hogs of light or medium weights.
Sheep and Wool:
Prices for market lambs are some.
what lower than a year ago, and
there seems small reason to expect
any early marked increase in mar
ket prices. On account of the dis
examination against heavy lambs and
the increased cost of producing
lambs of extreme weight it is i'm
portant that lambs be brought to a
desirable market finish before they
attain such size as to be unattrac-
tive to buyers. Moreover the mar
keting at lighter weights will have