The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1929-01-02

T.
NAL. In this connection we sug-
gest consideration of a bonus on
exports Of animal products, to
the end that the live stock indus
try be stimulated, thereby be-
coming factor in consuming
surplus of grain and in the pro-
cess keeping fertility on Ameri-
can farms instead of shipping it
abroad as would be the case if
grain exports are stimulated in
stead of live stock products.
We suggest, however, that in
case of grain surplus emergen-
cy, provision for an export
grain bonus be considered but
with suitable penalties for con-
tinued overproduction.
This suggestion is largely self-ex-
planatory. We presume there is no
dispute over the contention that the
American farmer should have the
American market and have it free of
foreign competition. The tariff
should be so adjusted that there be
substantially no importation of meat
and poultry products or of other
food products that can be raised or
produced on American farms. We be-
lieve that in all practical ways the
live stock and poultry industry
should be protected and encouraged.
The animal itself as whole should
be protected. By-products from the
animal should therefore have pro-
lection so as to encourage their manu-
facture or preparation here. If ami
NAL or poultry by-products are i'm
ported, the price on the animal as
grown on the American farm is af-
fected.
AS to the suggestion to stimulate
the live stock industry as a means of
cutting down grain surplus, we be-
lieve the suggestion is practical and
that if adopted as matter of gener
al policy twill mean much to Amer
lea as the years pass. For instance,
there is seldom surplus of wheat
that exceeds 200 million bushels
from any one crop. 1t might not be
practical to try and feed it all, but it
would be easier to get rid of sur
plus of beef than a surplus of wheat.
Hence the suggestion for bonus on
live stock exports to stimulate the
live stock industry. More live stock
to eat more grain would be a factor
in reducing grain surplus and in
the process fertility would be kept on
American farms instead of being
shipped to Europe as would be the
case if grain exports alone were to
be stimulated. A nation can rise no
higher than the quality of its soil;
that is, and stay risen. Hence the
vital importance to the future of
America that as general policy we
feed cur grain to American animals
on American farms. Any system
which proposes an agricultural poll
cy for our country that overlooks or
ignores this is merely laying up
trouble for the sons and grandsons of
present day farmers.
1t would not take much stimula
ton of the live stock industry to con-
sumo every pound of surplus grain
raised or that we could raise. We
have only to visit the dairy sections
to learn what a feed shortage there
is as the industry developes. Practi-
cally all dairymen are feed buyers
and every dairy agency is busy urg-
ing them to buy and feed still more.
More hogs and beef cattle would soon
have the grain farmer hustling to
supply the demand. Increased acre
age to flax and. sugar beets induced
by proper tariffs would also help
cut down wheat and grain acreage
and hasten the approach of the time
when we could produce no surplus of
grain such would be the home de-
mand.
The suggestion of grain export
live stock industry would so con-
sumo the grain production that the
wheat and grain area would be un-
able to supply the demand with the
consequent ultimate suggestion of
foreign imports to meet the demands
of farmers themselves.
The suggestion of grain export
bonus in emergency is what is i'm
plied-a device for emergency use
only. We do not believe in stimulat-
ing the export of grain as matter
of national and regular policy. 1t
is better to try and prevent sur
plus of grain than to arrange to reg
ularly handle a surplus. However,
in emergency and to provide an i'm
mediate present relief to the grain
sections, we suggest the export bon
us. We also suggest protecting the
use of this device by providing suit
able penalties for Continued over
production. Any system which pro-
tects price without guarding against
overproduction will fall of its own
weight as it is put into operation.