The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-14
Onlv "a Acres

Only "a Acres
BY means Of newspaper advertisements posters ano
word of mouth. farmers Of North Dakota are ufeeo 70
plant less wheat this year.
The seeding season is almost at hand and the time
for the farmers Of the state to accept or reject TINS
suggestion is now. Upon their verdict appears 10 oe?eno
much Of the prosperity Of this region. for unless the
farmer gets more for the products which ne produces
business and industry in this area will continue under
a handicap.
It. is no altruistic attitude which causes agricultural
experts and businessmen to join in the cry 10 Pian'
less bread grain. They are thinking OF the farmer AZ
terms OF what he can buy and pay for. They wane nin
to do well, that they may do well.
The specific appeal is that the average farmer plaln
"a acres less wheat this year. If he does, according 10 'ne
d.ta nrenared by the Greater North Dakota association
the states wheat acreage Will be reduced ~ pei ee""
This will be in line with the recommendations OF inc
federal farm board and if that organization has accom-
pushed nothing else, it has demonstrated that the sur
plus is what reduces the market price.
The posters make no promises as to what VIII happen
II the farmers act under the plea. In q business 50 vet
IS wheat-growing, no one can reasonably ne eApecsou
TO make promises. With millions OF dollars at MS co"-
uand. Alexander Legge hoped to bolster the falins prce
of grain more than a year ago. ANer pouring "l 1ol0
If dollars into the purchase of this commodity. the el-
fort was partially successful, but the price at which wneat
.,ao,,, stabilized is a heart-breaking one for the
1lIlddly - s0SAA
farmer.
IF huge crops continue to come on the markes' 50
that American wheat must continue to be exported "e
farmer can expect prices little better tnan ne = 40"
getting. This is certainly a discouraging prospect
on the other hand, il each farmer cuts down MS Wnea'
acreage, there is a possibility that we may work OIL 1e
tremendous surplus still hanging over the American mar
kt and return the price OF wheat 10 some'iu"s - ~.
NAL. So the advertisements and posters assert 'na'
--l,..;>, L. Tho uI,eat acreage may mean more UlOuCJ
for less wheat. ,
r. NAV sound unreasonable but the thougnt pehAho
the statement is true. The value OF a product-eSpecai-
w one in common use and which people must nave
often is measured by it's scarcity. In countries Wnele
water IS difficult to get, it is very expensive
What to do with the "a acres which is taken out OF
wheat production is not really a problem. Otner crops
may be planted and should be planteo' ou1 even -
nothing else is available it might be good business 70
maize the cut anyway. With wheat selling far below the
cost Of production, every additional acre planted means
m increase in the loss.
The suggestion that alfalfa, corn, sweet clover or 1eeo
crops be substituted seems sound. Records kept by 1arm-
es who have fed their wheat and rye as we'll as coarse
grains show an additional profit in marketing tne1
grain ION the hoof."
Wa have heard much in recent years OF the "cow, SOW
and hen" and some farmers have hesltated 70 get INTO
these diversified lines. However, 1t Is clear that tnose
,ho have made the step are relatively better off than
their neighbors who failed to do so-everythlng else oelas
equal. .
Finished hogs, well-fed steers and fat lambs bring IN
more money than No. i wheat at 81 cents and rye at 10
cents. A bushel Of wheat will add many pounds 10 a
pig or a steer and some feeding tests have shown rye
worth l6 cents in the elevator, to be worth more tnan
80 cents on the hoof.
What the farmers of this area do will be watched with
interest. It is most important to them. OF course, but
the Importance of their action with regard to business
generally cannot be overestimated. for farmer and bust
ness-man rise and fall together.