The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-05-31
n, D. PRODUCE DROP
RESULT OF LAGGARD
BUSINESS FACTORS
Industry Seems R~eadjusting It.
self to Shifting Conditions
Over the Country
WHEAT OUTLOOK NOT GOOD
Flax, Steers, Poultry Also Fall
and Only Hogs Give Hope
of Seasonal Advance
BY Rex e. willard, Farm Economist,
North Dakota Agricultural College.

BY Rex E. willard, Farm Economist
North Dakota Agricultural College.
The general business situation has
not improved materially during the
past month in comparison with the
early part of the year. All Of the
facts seem to point to a period OF re-
adjustment in industrial activities
Some further decline in retail price
of industrial commodities Is to be ex-
pected. Some important tariff bar
riers erected by some European coun-
tries against both industry and agri-
cultural products tend to impede ex-
ports Of these commodities from the
United States.
Farm prices have generally tended
downward during the past month. Of
North Dakota products. steers, poul'
try, flax and wheat have fallen ir
the last 80 days. Flax has dropped
off sharply from a level OF slightly
above $3.50 to about $40 ana even
lower at some points.
Farm products prices in North Da.
kota have dropped from an index Of
about III, April IS, to an index Of
III, May IS, compared to the pre- wa1
level Of 100.
Wheat
Some Improvement in foreign de-
mand for American wheat may be in
ferred from the fact that recent de-
mands have been Comparatively
small. The decreased activity Of in
dustry in some foreign countries
however, may still be . deterrent to
large demands for U surplus prod
uct. At best, the outlook for wheat
prices in the immediate future Is any
thing but bright.
Flax
World supplies Of flax May ! were
the smallest in several years and u
per cent less than a year ago. Cana
dian stocks virtually are exhausted.
Linseed oil prices have been high. ~
has been the price Of flaxseed. Sep.
te.nber futures At Minneapolis for
flaxseed have fluctuated widely,
dropping from about $3.50 per bushel
to Is low Is SALT.
s &, Cattle
There seems to be little indication
that dairy producers are following the
advice. to reduce numbers. Cows
and heifers slaughtered during the
first quarter Of 1880 show . decrease
OF about 2 per cent from 1929. De-
creased consumption rather than in
creased supply was responsible. foe
the weakness in the cattle market
during April. Both receipts at seven
leading markets and inspected
slaughter Of cattle In April were 4
per cent smaller than in April, 1929,
and slaughter was 10 per cent below
the five year average for April.
Prices Of all kinds and grades Of cat
tie declined during April.
Cold storage holdings Of frozen beef
in the United States May l amounted
to 100000 pounds compared with
81 5000 0 pounds May I, 1920. and the
five-year average of 100000 pounds.
Hogs
Present indications are that the
seasonal advance in hog prices, in
late June or early July, will be in
fluenced largely by material changes
in the industrial situation. The lower
level Of prices this spring reflects the
weaker demand for meats and lard.
Larger demands r In prospect dur
ing the next few weeks, when 1929
fall pigs reach market In volume.
Lambs
Lamb prices continued low during
April, the average being the lowest
for the month since 1914. The de-
cline In spring lamb prices was larger
than with aged lambs. Prices re-
ceived by producers for lambs In
North Dakota, April Is, averaged
$40 per hundredweight and about
the same May Is.
Wool
Indications point to slightly larger
1890 wool clips than last year stocks
In foreign primary markets In April
were larger than q year ago. Average
wool quotations In North Dakota were
~ cents, April IS. and a cents. May
18th
The trade output Of butter In April
appears TO have been slightly larger
than . year ego. but at prices aver.
aging shout ~ Per cent lower and
there q no indication of IA tmmedi-
ate increase In demand. The foreign
situation has wakeued % much that
imports can come into the United
States over the tariff. Moreover. the
seasonal increase In domestic produce
ton Is just beginning to exceed ap-
parent consumption requirements.
May ! storage holdings were below
those Of April and q new storage
movement Is under way. Creamery
butter production at q lower rate dur
ing April than early May.
Eggs and Poultry
Egg prices usually advance in May
and June. but the advance this year
may not be as large as usual. The
farm price Of chickens is making its
seasonal advance. Storage stocks Of
eggs this year are the highest on rec
ord for May and this may tend to
discourage storing. Storage holdings
OF dressed poultry are still large, but
offsetting the effect Of these larger
storage stocks is heavier consumption
than last year.
HOW'D HE STAND IT?
Worcester, Mass. Any man who
can stand being beaten by his wife
five times q week for four years de-
serves = medal, not q divorce. But
Frank B. woodward was recently
0rnnkAd. the latter wyhen hn "a ~ IN.
disputed testimony to the foregoing