The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-02-07
SURPLUS-CR0W|NG
WHEAT COUNTRIES
INCREASING ACRES
South America May Shift Away
to More Corn and Flax as
Result Of Better Prizes
RUSSIA NOT YET A FACTOR
Canad:. However,, Can Not
Substitute Other Crops, s.
Will Burden Supply

Prices for the 1890 wheat crop in
the United States will probably not
be much different than those prevail
ing for the 1929 crop. unless fall
sown wheat suffers severe winter
damage or spring wheat acreage is
reduced. according to The 1880 agrl-
cultural outlook report prepared fer
North Dakota by Rex E. Willard,
farm economist Of the agricultural
college.
The trend of production Ct wheat
in all of the surplus producing
countries is upward. This is par
ticularly true III Canada where there
is little chance to substitute other
crops for wheat. 1t Is possible that
the low yields and low prices o: 1929
may prevent great expansion in Whea.
acreage in ON of these foreign
countries this year. In Soutl. Amer
lea high prices of corn and OF flax
may cause a shift away FROM wheat.
Russia will probably not be much of
a factor In contributing to world sup
plies this year, but she undoubtedly
will In the future.
The acreage OF winter wheat has
been increased in the United States
2 per cent over last year, the most i'm
portant increase being in tl.e acre
age of hard winter wheat. Unless
adverse weather conditions occur,
there will be another large crop OF
winter wheat.
Hard spring wheat was less in 1879
than in 1928, due to drouth. If Tire
same acreage Of spring wheat is
this year as In 1929. and lO-year
average yields arc made. there Will
be about l80, COO, 900 bushels of this
class of wheat. which is considerably
above domestic requirements. An
expansion of acreage with average
Yields or better than average yields
will undoubtedly result in lower
prices, unless the protein content OF
hard winter wheat should be low.
Where land is fitted for flax. farm.
ers may find 1t more profitable tt
substitute this. crop for some OF tn
wheat acreage in 1880, believes MI
willard.
Durum Wheat
Prices for durum wheat will prob
ably be relatively low unless acreag'
is further reduced or production II
competing countries is cut. A larg'
crop in southern Italy and a larg'
carry-over in the United States las
veal has supplied the demand at low
prices. Foreign demand Tor durun
has been light. Durum Consumption
in the United States is increasing
somewhat, but the probable require
mcnts in this country will be less thar
so 900 900 bushels. Last years shor'
crop amounted to about 57,OOO.OO Y
There are two classes OF whea'
farmers In North Dakota, states MI
Willard. One class produces whea'
in the general system of farming will
other crops and livestock, while in tn
other wheat is the major crop pro
duced with large machinery units o
tractor and combine at costs general.
below present market prices. Tn
tendency has been in the last few
wears for the diversified farmers t.
decrease wheat acreage and substi
tute other crops and stock. the !arg
wheat producers on the other an
are increasing their acreage and ar
justified In doing so according I
the profits which they arc making
This is particularly true in western
North Dakota and Montana.
Flax
Farmers in North Dakota are likel
to increase flax acreage a half mil
lion acres or more in 1880, If they ar
controlled by the same motives as I
the past. When the ratio of the prlc
Of flax to the price Of wheat has bee
high or higher than that Of the pre-
yious wear, they have increased acre
age; II the ratio became less they de
creased acreage. This happened !
times out of 10 crops since 1911. A
average acre of flax in North Dakot
costs about 81 more than an averag
acre of wheat. Returns OF eQus
amounts will be made with averag
Yields Of both crops when flax is 8
So a bushel and wheat is at s1.20
bushel. When flax is 1925 a bushe
the equivalent price Of wheat woul
be $40.
That flax will be relatively MOI
profitable than wheat II we are Q
an import basis for flax in 1e:
seems certain at this time. Furths
expansion in flax acreage Is therefor
warranted, where land is free fro
weeds and otherwise suitable Tor II
crop. A 20 per cent increase IN acr'
age. Will, average yields. will produ'
! ron about 100000 bushels le
than the annual $4,000, O0-bush
consumption III the United States.