Milford chronicle., 1930-02-28
FARMERS ADVISED TO
CURTAIL PRODUCTION
TO MAINTAIN PRICES
Continued from Page u

least the first few months of thu
year. The general price level o
farm machinery is expected to re
main about the same as during the
last four years. Both wholesale anC
retail prices of fertilizer are slightly
lower than year ago, and no i'm
mediate increase in price is indicat-
ed. Feedstuffs prices are expected
to continue slightly lower during
the remainder of the winter season
than they were last fall, being af-
fected by the usual seasonal
changes. Any lower prices which
farmers may receive for their pro-
ducts in 1880 may be somewhat off
set by lower prices for some of the
things which they buy.
If present indications of Delaware
farmers production intentions are
carried out and normal weather con-
ditions prevail, the total production
of crop and livestock products in the
State in 1880 will exceed that OF
1929. Delaware farmers are faced
with immediate prospects Of heavy
over-production of dairy and poul-
try products which is not justified
in the light of present general pro-
duction and market prospects. On
the other hand there is a decided
tendency to increase the acreage of
legume hay, and pasture, which will
tend to reduce feeding costs for
dairy herds.
All indications point to prices for
the 1880 wheat crop about the same
as in 1929. The acreage devoted to
wheat in Delaware is being gradu-
ally reduced in favor of better pays
ing cash crops. Wheat growers of
this region must, in the near fu-
ture, be prepared to grow wheat
only on land. which will maintain
high average yields in order that
their margin of profit may be COM
parable to that of the western
growers who are reducing produc-
ton and harvest costs through in
creased use of modern machinery.
The situation as to corn is about
the same as for wheat, with some
prospect for better cash corn prices
before the new crop comes in. Pro-
duction should be planned mainly to
maintain an adequate supply for
local feeding purposes.
Soy bean growers should not ex-
pect returns for beans as great as in
1929 although farmers who can pro-
duce good yields of beans will no
doubt find them more profitable
than wheat. There is an available
supply of good seed beans in Sussex
county for Kent and New Castle
farmers who are planning to in
crease their acreage for hay.
The trend of hay prices is in fav-
or of legume hay, and alfalfa prices
are expected to average higher in
1880 than in any other year except
1928-29. Delaware farmers are rap
idly increasing their alfalfa and
clover hay acreage. In doing this,
particular attention should be paid
to soil requirements, incubation,
and the source of seed. Your County
Agent can tell you what seed to use.
Too much milk is coming into the
market at the present
time and local farmers. who are de-
pendent upon that market should
give serious thought to production
plans which will eliminate surplus
milk. Until this is done reductions
at least in the price of surplus milk
may be expected. Enough dairy heif-
ers are now being raised to main
tain dairy COW numbers during the
ond fsY1- IN
IS seem undesirable. In Delaware
he number of cows in milk increas-
I'd 2.7 per cent in 1929 while the
number of dairy heifers being rails
I'd for replacement increased 20 per
,ent. Farmers having old or Gull
,ows should dispose of them now
While the price of beef is relatively
high. A reduction in the price of
10Th beef and dairy animals is ex-
'ected during the next year or two.
Any increase in the production of
poultry in 1880 over the production
n 1929, for the country as a whole,
ither for eggs or meat, will tend
0 reduce prices of poultry and eggs
D below the levels of recent years.
n Delaware a recent survey by the
extension Department to determine
he intentions of poultrymen for
$50 indicates a reduction of 2.3 per
emit in the birds in laying fiocks, but
n increase of 70 per cent in the :
umber of chicks to be Matched for /,
rollers, and an increase of 21.4 per !
emit in chicks Matched for laying '
Jock. :
If these increases are carried out, ,
satisfactory margin of profit will
. hard to maintain. Poultrymen =
18th well equipped plants may pos +
bly, be able to increase. their pro- q
1ction and maintain a profit on the n
asis of increased volume of bust =
ess, but it is obviously not time
IT farmers to plan to enter the Y
)ultry business or to increase the h
re of ordinary farm f1ocks. Della n
are farmers are planning to grow Z,
ore turkeys in 1880 than in 1929. @
Planting of fruit trees should be
lily for replacement purposes for m
e next few years, as there are still
o many orchards in full produc-
IN throughout the United States.
Reports from potato growers in .,
,arly all states indicate that a .,
rger acreage will be planted in O. :"
80 than in 1929. Apparently Della y, "
are growers are planning about a -.
per cent increase in acreage. I'm. -
IS this is reduced, unfavorable re- ~
rms may be expected. If the acre o1
e of sweet potatoes can be main Al,
med at about the 1929 figure, fair ~ ~
turns may be expected. ~ a,
Canning crops such as tomatoes, ~ ~
cen beans and lima beans, are y,
'gely under normal weather con- ~
ions, fairly profitable return Az Az
" be expected by farmers follow y,
: cultural proctises which will
Ike good yields possible. =,
L. l.. III