Evening star., 1947-11-05
B,ooo,0o0-BusheI
Wheat Saving Seen
In Livestock FEEDING
By the Assoeioisd Press

Government grain experts pre-
dicted today that livestock
farmers will save at least 75,000,-
600 bushels of wheaton three
fourths of the 100000, 0,000- -bushel
food conservation target.
Brewers, distillers. bakers and pub
lie eating places have promised the
Citizens Food Committee to cut
down by 25.0Oo,oo bushels or more
to help meet the Administrations
grain export goal.
Six weeks ago the Agriculture De-
partment authorities estimated live
stock farmers would feed at least
350,000,000 bushels of wheat this
crop year because Of the short corn
crop. Last year they fed about 1885,
100000 bushels of wheat.
These department officials now
have revised their wheat feeding es-
innate to around 275 200, 900 bushels.
High Prices Cut Feeding.
Reports from the field indicate
that many farmers who own both
wheat and livestock feel that the
grain Is too high in price to feed to
animals. particularly to animals
which will not be ready for market
for several months. Such farmers
are said to fear that something may
happen to bring down livestock
prices in the meantime. In that
event. the farmer would not get his
wheat money back.
Another factor holding down the
volume of wheat feeding is the fact
that many wheat producers who do
not feed livestock are holding on to
their grain in expectation of posi-
BILE higher prices next spring. BY so
doing, they limit market supplies of
wheat available to livestock pro-
ducers and poultrymen who buy
grain for feed.
Livestock market statistics provide
still additional evidence that less
wheat is being fed. Hogs are being
marketed at considerably lighter
weights, and beef cattle are being
fed, on grain for much shorter
periods than had been expected.
Gives Next Years Outlook.
The corn thus saved becomes
available for farmers who otherwise
would be forced to use wheat.
The department said In report
on next years feed outlook that If
livestock feeding of wheat Is held
down to 250,000,000 bushels, this
country could export 100000, 900
bushels of the grain and still have
a reserve of 10000, 900 bsuhels at
the end of the crop year next June
80. The reserve at the end of the
past year was about 10000 900
bushels.
The Presidents grain export goal
calls for at least 500.000000 bushels
of wheat and 100000 bushels of
other grains.
In another report, the Agricul-
ture Department said food supplies
will shrink even lower in 1948, and
that retail food prices in this coun-
try will remain high for most Of
next year.
Picture to Be Brighter.
JIG ufpdl llllc1G 4CPoi tcO y eAAoc Y
despite its prediction Of scantier
supplies next year, the overall sup
ply picture will be somewhat bright
er than in the war years.
The department said United
States consumers will have more
sugar, cheese, butter. bananas and
dried food in 1948 than in 1947, but
supplies of lard, sweet potatoes,
meat, chicken and some canned
fruits are expected to be lower.
1t predicted that foreign needs
for food produced In this country
will be even greater during the 1947-
4S crop year than In the preceding
period, with the result that the COM
petition for food and other nom
durable supplies at high prices will
continue to be Strong"