The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1929-02-28
Washington Farm Situation
BY R. M. TURNER

l.
Farmers in Washington can look
| forward to somewhat improved
conditions during this year in the
wheat situation, continued good
prices for sheep, wool, beef, dairy
products and alfalfa hay. The pres
| ent low hog prices are expected
to improve during the winter and
spring season of 1929-30. Potato
growers must reduce their acre
age in the state if they expect to
! increase potato prices in the fall
of 1929; the apple industry is fac
ing a continued high commercial
production for to 10 years, while
poultrymen can expect somewhat
/ lower prices during the first hall
of this year, than the prices recelv-
ed for eggs during the first SIX
months of 1928, but higher than
those of 1927.
Poultry and Eggs
The poultrymen OF the country
can expect somewhat lower egg
price during the first half Of this
wear than the prices received for
! eggs during the first six months
of 1928, but higher than those of
1927. Prices for poultry are also
expected to be higher during the
first six months of this year than
they were last year.
To maintain the leadership in the
eommercialized poultry sections of
the Pacific Coast, high flock pro-
duction, careful poultry breeding
and flock management, and care
of eggs must be continued. Where
this is followed, indications point
toward the opportunity for a
steady expansion and growth on
the part of poultrymen throughout
the state.
Since Washington is special
lied poultry area, it is not so like
" to be affected adversely by the
disasterous outcome of last sea-
sons storage deal, provided that
| the usual high quality production
| is carried out. While buyers Of the
| many kinds of storage eggs last
summer suffered losses in their
operations, the fine reputation for
Pacific Coast eggs will undoubted-
ly react favorably to the Pacific
Coast producers. On the other
hand, eggs which are neglected will
likely not be profitable.
The larger markets continue to
show a strong tendency for high
quality eggs and have been dis
eliminating against eggs of infer
ior quality. "Total receipts Of
eggs at the four principal markets
in 1928 were slightly. less than in
1927, but about two per cent above
the five year average. Receipts
during the first halls Of 1928 were
below those for the correspond
| ing period in 1927, but in the SEE
ond half were heavier. The heavier
fall receipts are largely attributed
to the favorable weather for pro-
duction and to generous feeding"
according to the U. S. Bureau of
Agricultural Economics.
On January 1, 1929, holdings of
shell eggs of 1,40O, 900 cases were
60 per cent greater than January
1, 1928, but anly 6 per cent great
er than the five year average.
Holdings of frozen eggs of Sc mil
lion pounds were an increase Of 10
percent over last year and 81 per-
cent over the five year average.
Export of eggs for the United
States were considerably lower in
1923 than in 1927. For eleven
months, they totaled 10 million
dozens compared to ~ million in
1927. The Pacific Coast developed
some new exports, as whole, were
perhaps largely due to the five
cents per dozen higher price last
spring over that of 1927. Imports
of eggs and egg products were
heavier in 1928 than in 1927. How
ever, the balance of trade in egg
products has been very favorable
to this country in 1927.
1t is expected that there will be
some increase in the number OF
| pullets and hens on hand In the
| fall of 1929 in the commercial
poultry flocks in Washington
largely due to increases IN the
chicks being Matched in compar.
rison to the lowered number last
year. However, it is expected that
the large part of this increase
will go to replace older hens now IN
flocks. Reports from eastern COM
mercial poultry sections indicate
that any increases in chicks hatch
ed will go to replace old stock, SO
that no large increases in numbers
are expected.
/ Wheat
Washington wheat growers may
expect a more favorable market
AI