The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1930-02-27

L
ducts of 1880 does not now appear
likely to exceed that from the pro-
ducts of 1929. Although the vol
ume of agricultural production in
1880 cannot now be indicated with
, great deal of certainty, crop
yields are likell to be larger than
in 1929, when they were generally
below average, whereas livestock
production, in the aggregate is
likely to show little change. Larg-
er production in itself would ordin-
arily tend to lower the level of
prices received by producers, but
Improvement in business condi-
lions over the present may tend to
offset in part the influence on in
creased output.
with purchasing power of con-
sumers in 1880 somewhat reduced
below 1929, farmers need to follow
rather conservative production
policy. This is a year when it is
particularly desirable for each
come, in view of the price outlook
for each of his products, and TO
plan his production expenditures
accordingly. Farmers who are plan
ming necessary permanent inl-
provements such as buildings,
fences, bitches, or orchards may
find 1880 an opportune time for pro-
curing labor and supplies at some
what reduced cost.
No material change from recent
levels of total farm income seems
in prospect in the next few years
However, the longtime tendency
for prices of agricultural products
to advance in relation to prices OF
non-agricultural products will
probably continue. During the
period 1921 to 1925 prices of farm
products advanced, while prices OF
non-agricultural products have
tended to decline throughout the
period since 1922. During the next
five years, however, increased pro
duction of livestock and livestock
products, and increasing foreign
competition, will tend to checl
temporarily the longtime ten
dency.
The financial status of agricul
ture has become much more stabil
lied in the past five years. Lane
values, as shown by data for tn;
year ended in March, 1929, the lat
est available, have still continued
in the downward trend of recent
years, but the declines on the
whole were comparatively slight
in few states exceeding one pc,
cent. Fewer foreclosures and 9th
er forced transfers apear to have
occurred. Bankruptcies involvin.
farmers declined. Although consid
cradle progress in adjustment to tn,
postwar conditions has been made
the readjustment cannot yet o.
said to have reached completion.
Wheat: With another large crol
of hard red winter wheat in pros
pect, hard spring wheat grower:
are likely to find that an expansion
in the present acreage in this class
of wheat is undesirable. Any ex
pansion would probably result in
lower prices, if average or bette,
than average yields are obtained
unless the protein content of hard
winter wheat is lower than in 1929
Durum wheat prices will probably
continue relatively low for another
season unless acreage in the United
! States is further curtailed or pro-
duction in other competing coun-
tries is reduced.
Flax: Present prospects indicate
higher returns are to be expected
from flax in 1880 than from wheat
and other small grains grown in
the same area or under the same
conditions. Some further expan-
sion in flax acreage is therefore
warranted where land is free from
weeds or otherwise suitable for
flax.
Oats: The production of oats for
market during the 1880 crop year
is not likely to bring better returns