THE YOUNG FARMER 



fited, because the increase in price is greater 

 than the decrease in yield. One year, for 

 example, the decrease in the production of 

 maize was 30%, while the increase in price 

 was 50%. If, therefore, the crop had been 

 sold it would have brought more than the 

 crop of the previous year. The farmers, 

 however, require about 80% of the maize 

 crop in the production of their live stock, 

 so that when there was a decrease of 30% in 

 the yield of maize, many had none to sell, 

 while others had to purchase maize at 

 increased prices or use other crops, such as 

 oats, which they might otherwise have sold. 

 Still others would be compelled to sell, at 

 reduced prices, their partially fattened 

 animals. There is a constant fluctuation in 

 the price of animals and animal products, 

 due to variation in yield and hence in price 

 of food supplies. It requires continual 

 vigilance on the part of the stockman to 

 secure food supplies at such cost as will 

 enable him to secure a profitable return 

 from his animals. 



