The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-16
WET WEATHER,
LOW RETURN IS
FARMER ENEMY
Farmers Have Large Crops
But Small Cash Return,
Speakers Tell Shippers
N. u. HAS LARGEST CROP
Cattle, Hogs and Poultry AM
swer to Farmers Problem,
Gunkelman Says

UuIuLn, Mlnn., VcC. 1O.-lfD-AI-
though North Dakota is just COM
pleting -threshing one of the largest
crops of all time, several factors will
prevent farmers from getting ar
appropriately large cash return for
the crops, R. F. Gunkelman, Fargo
said here today.
Gunkelman was one of the prin-
cipal speakers today at the fall meet
ing of the Northwest Shippers Ad-
visory. Vice chairmen from North
Dakota, Minnesota and Montana re-
ported big yields generally, but that
several factors, principally low
prices, are keeping the farmer
from reaping a financial harvest as
great as is his return in terms of
bushels of grain.
"North Dakota is just completing
the threshing of one of the largest
crops of all grains the state has pro-
duccd. Councilman said, "Only
twice has the state produced more
wheat than in 1923. Other crops
have been fair to good. Another
favorable factor has been the even
distribution of the crop. With the
exception of a few badly hailed dis
tricts, almost every section in the
state has an average crop.
I'm view of the above statements,
it would appear that this season has
been very prosperous one for
North Dakota farmers" said Mr..
Gunkelman. But number of fac
tors have an unfavorable bearing
on the situation in the state.
Rain Damages Grain
First of all the price of grain
and potatoes is not satisfactory to
the producer. Wet weather in large
areas of the state damaged the
grain. further reducing the price"
Mr.. Gunkelman said there are
large sections of the state where the
grain crop is no longer responsible
for the major portion Of the farmers
income, and that where cattle, hogs,
and poultry are found, his position
is much more favorable.
Sheep and wool are factors, he
said, and prices are favorable. Much
corn has been grown in the southern
part of the state, and this converted
into beef and pork, will add much to
the farm income.
Building in large and small COM
munities of North Dakota is well
ahead of last year, said Mr.. Gunkel-
man, and indications are for big
program during the winter and
spring. New farm buildings are
going up and repair of old buildings
is quite noticeable.
Combines, trucks and large
number of small threshers are speed
ing movement of grain from farm
to market in North Dakota, he said.
There are more country elevators
filled to the limit today than at any
time since 1918, he added, and rail-
roads are taxed to the limit.
Potato Price Poor
Farm price for potatoes in Mime
sofa and North and South Dakota
is the lowest since potatoes have
been grown in large quantities in
the territory, said Mr.. Gunkelman
in the report Of the potato and vege-
table committee.
"In fact, the price could not be
lower, as then the farmer could not
afford to dig, for at present prices
only actual labor and hauling ex-
pense is taken care of.
1T really is a serious situation for
the farmer, when 100000 bushels
of a product that is q necessity in
every home, hardly pays for the
labor necessary to take that prod
uct out of the ground, sack it, and
load it on cars.
"Not only does the farmer suffer,
but business in the producing Sec
tions is slowed up, collections in the
same area are affected, transpor.
tation suffers, and the demand fol-
labor is lessened."
Low prices have caused ware
houses to be filled, in the hope that
higher prices will prevail later. Pc.
tato yields have been good generally
he said, but due to low prices, farm
ers are Indifferent about saving the
crop.
Without question a considerable
acreage in Minnesota and North Da.
kota will remain undug, he said.