<^/ SL Extend i en Service in Agriculture and EoBe Economice 



University of Illinois College of Agriculture, TArbana 9^C£lVED 



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WEEKiy BBYIEl/ ANP FAHM (XJTLOCK LETTER ^^ /^flp 23 IQJc 



By O.L. Jordan '"^ ^^"^^^ '«WmHU»«^ 

 Professor, Agricultural Bcononiics 



(Prepared March 22) APR 1 1946 



The past veek has been characterized by stateo»{^/f^])|^i«ojBvpMKa^ officials 

 emphasizing that further restrictions on domestic consumption or meats aHrscrao other 

 food items may he expected, and hy stroog deaands for all classes of lireetock and 

 ceiling prices for most hi^-quality grains. 



According to March 1 intentions of farmers, the total 19^5 plantings of feed 

 grains — com, oats, harley and grain sorghums — ^vill "be ahout I7I million acres, or 

 ahout 2 percent below the l^W^ acreage. Planting intentions for all feed grains vere 

 under the 19M^ figures with the excepticxi of oats. An 8 percent increase in oats 

 acreage is planned. Only in the case of oats will the 19^5 goals he met according to 

 these estimates. The reduction in livestock numbers, the uncertainty concerning the 

 duratioi of the war and prices folloving the var and the need to get more clover into 

 rotation were the factors that were cited as influencing farmers' intentions this 

 year. 



The total meat production for 19^^^ vill be about 10 percent smaller than 

 the record product iem in I9M1-, according to government estimates. A further decrease 

 in the numbers of cattle other than milk covs, sheep, horses and mules is in prospect 

 for 19^^. No material change in the nuiober of hogs, chickens or milk ccme is ex- 

 pected. The hog-corn price ratio has recently been more favorable than at any time 

 since the spring of 19^3 and well above average. This, conibined vith the expectation 

 of a continuation of this favorable ratio during the sunnier, may lead to heavier feed- 

 ing and some increase in fall farrovings. 



The U. S. Bepeurtment of Agriculture estimates that the total supply cf fats 

 and oils in the United States will be substantially reduced in 19^5* Production frcn 

 domestic materials will be reduced over one billion pounds, princii)ally because of 

 lowered lard production. A slight increase in the production of donestic edible oils — 

 cottonseed, soybean, com and peanut — will be more than offset by decreases in output 

 of lard and butter. Militeury demands are very heavy, both for the expanded militaxy 

 program and for relief distribution in areas under militazy control. Lend-lease re- 

 quirements continue large. 



Cash receipts from farm marketings for February were down k percent trotL 

 February 19^, according to a government estimate. Part of this was due to the inabil- 

 ity to get boxcars to get grain to market. The decline in cash receipts frcn live- 

 stock and livestock products in February was greater than usual and greater than 

 occurred in either 19*f5 or 19M^. 



The stocks of merchantable potatoes held by growers and local dealers in the 

 37 late euid intermediate states on March 1 were 26 percent below the record stocks of 

 a year ago but were 19 percent greater than on March 1, 19^3* 



Some of the leanest months of the var period were predicted for the h( 

 front during the past veek. Included in this prediction vere food, tires, shoes and 

 manpower. Bven though the var in Europe should end by midyear, no substantial in- 

 crease should be expected in output of manufactured consumer goods for several months. 



-0- 



Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Hcne Eccncmics: University of Illinois 



College of Agriculture and the Iftiited States Department of Agriculture cooperating. 



H. P. Busk, Director. Acts approved by Congress May 8 and June 30, 19lU. 



