Evening star., 1948-10-03
Milk Producers
on'tAsk Boost
|nPriicesHere
Reduced Cost of Feed
For Livestock Seen
Factor in Decision
By MoIcolm Lomborne, j

The Maryland and Virginia Milk
Producers Association announced
last night that its board of directors
had voted not to ask for an increase
in the producer price of milk, assur-
ing Washington area consumers that
their milk bills will not be raised at
this time.
Bruce B. Derrick, association man.
ager, declared in a statement, that
there would be no price revision "un-
less there is material change in
economic conditions that would add
to present milk production costs and
jeopardize the Washington milk
supply.
He disclosed that the action was
taken at the directors meeting here
Friday after more than three
months careful study OF milk pro-
duction costs and economic condi-
tions."
Baltimore Price Raised.
There had been speculation for
more than a month on whether pros
ducers in this area would seek an
increase. In the past, dairies have
passed on higher wholesale prices
to consumers. On September /, the
producer price of milk in the Balti-
more area was increased the equiv
alent of one cent a quart. This fol-
lowed half-cent increase in July
and the two increases brought the
wholesale price in that area above
the Washington milkshed price.
While Mr.. Derrick's statement
made no mention of it, lower prices
for livestock feed was believed to
have been factor in the decision.
Bumper grain crops this year in
dicate there will be no feed short
ages this winter.
Mr.. Derrick said this was the Sec
ond time in more than two years !
of continually rising commodity
prices. wage rates and living costs
that the association has voted not |
to increase the price of milk to its
buyers"
Chain to Cut Meat Prices.
Another pricee development yes
terday was announced in New York |
ov thhe Grand Union Co. effective
reductions in retail prices
Of 40 cuts of meat will be posted in
the companys supermarkets. The
price cuts were attributed by the
to a general break in the
dressed beef market, resulting from
heavy receipts of live cattle.
While the company has no Wash
ngton outlets, spokesman for a
group of supermarkets here said the
reductions in New York may be
he forerunner of general price re-
auctions" here. Some stores here
educed steak prices last week.
Hog prices on the Chicago live
took market last week were at the
owest level since last June. Factors
nthe drop were sharply lower mar
,ets for pork, increased livestock
'eceipts and larger deliveries of :
lew crop hogs expected in the COM
ng weeks.
The Agriculture Department has
'autioned farmers to slow the
of N1eir hogs to market
n view of fallinn prices.
Consumers Warned on Buying! L
Compared viii week ago.
butcher hogs were 50 to $3.50 lower
md sows So so 10 s3 lower. Slaugh-
er steers were so cents to $3.50
over.
The department reported yester-
lay that unless consumers cut down
IN their buying. they can expect
title relief in high meat prices.
Bureau Of Agriculture Economics
'eport stated:
Since total meat output will be
title different next year, changes
n prices of meats and meat ami
nails will be due mainly to changes
n demand. A continued strong
consumer demand would hold prices
lose to their 1948 level"
The report estimated per capita
upply of all meat next year would
,e between 140 and Jas pounds.
This years estimate was 145 pounds
yer person.
Consumers, the survey continued.
will find more pork and less beef
available in 1949. Because OF the
arge grain crops, more cattle will
,e granted. This means better
grades of beef. II