GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 437 



look to expanding their market in the United States. The principle 

 way this can be done is through the expansion of the use of wheat for 

 livestock feed. A diet with liberal livestock products included is, of 

 course, more expensive; hence, our direct interest in other groups 

 prosperity and in their appreciation of dietary needs. 



The Agricultural Act of 1948 takes account of, and makes con- 

 siderable allowance for, many of the differences which exist as between 

 the six so-called basic commodities. For example, the law takes 

 account of the apparent greater willingness of tobacco, peanut, and 

 cotton producers to accept production controls. 



Tobacco producers get 90 percent of parity any year marketing 

 quotas are not rejected by producers. Tobacco production involved 

 only 1,537.700 acres last year; approximately a 21/2-year supply is 

 maintained on hand at all times ; a relatively few large buyers pur- 

 chase the crop (making marketing quotas easier to administer) ; and 

 the commodity appears to lend itself to production controls better 

 than any other farm crop. 



Inasmuch as peanut producers have the option of having marketing 

 quotas every vear, theyjiave the opportunity of getting approximately 

 90 percent ol parity price supports, 75 percent plus 20 percent pre- 

 mium, every year their control program effectively controls produc- 

 tion. 



Under the act, cotton producers have a floor price of not less than 

 72 percent of parity, at any time either acreage allotments or market- 

 ing quotas are proclaimed unless quotas are rejected by producers. 

 The law provides for a vote on marketing quotas when supplies are 

 108 percent of normal, as defined in the act. Acreage allotments may 

 be put into effect at any time at the discretion of the Secretary of 

 Agriculture, The American Farm Bureau Federation last spring 

 recommended to Congress that cotton producers be authorized to vote 

 on marketing quotas when cotton supplies are normal or above and 

 the price is 90 percent of parity or less, thus making it possible for 

 cotton producers to get 90 percent of parity supports whenever pro- 

 duction controls are effective. 



These special provisions for tobacco, peanuts, and cotton have been 

 agreed to by the farmers in the other areas of the country in recogni- 

 tion of the special problems involved in these instances and the his- 

 torical pattern of farm programs as well as conditions in production 

 and use which make marketing quotas easier to administer when 

 applied to them. 



The act likewise takes account of the very gi-eat difficulties involved 

 in administering marketing quotas on grains which are primarily 

 produced for feed or which may be used for feed. Here, again, the 

 outlet for livestock products is a major factor. Its influence on the 

 production-control angle is emphasized by the fact that it takes seven 

 times as many acres to feed a people on livestock products as it takes 

 if the people eat the grain. 



Differences in viewpoint toward production and marketing con- 

 trols derive, then, from many factors such as the use to which crops 

 are put. the acreages involved, the extent to which production has been 

 or cnn be mechanized, and the iivailability of alternate uses for land 

 and labor. 



