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Great Plains, where the greatest contraction in wheat acreage 

 occurred, weather conditions during 1943 were favorable. 

 However, the weather may not be favorable in 1944 after the 

 government belatedly permits an expansion of winter- wheat 

 production. 



Agricultural Policy Blows Hot and Cold 



From 1933 to 1942 the United States spent over five billion 

 dollars in an effort to reduce production, conserve the soil, 

 and adjust prices. During the past half-century the nation 

 has spent about one billion dollars for research and exten- 

 sion work to improve the efficiency of the farmer and increase 

 food production. 



The two policies were obviously at cross-purposes. The 

 crop-reduction policy was the more expensive and the less 

 effective. The program of research and extension was less 

 expensive and of considerable effectiveness and durability. 

 If hybrid corn had been its only product, direct or indirect, 

 the expenditures would have been amply justified. Hybrid 

 corn increases production perhaps 15 to 20 per cent. Over the 

 past five years this would have totaled about two billion 

 more bushels of corn, or more than a year's production of 

 pork. The value of such a contribution in the present emer- 

 gency is worth more than the total cost of all research and 

 extension work. 



The farmer's urge to improve and to increase, with nature 

 as his ally, usually triumphs over the forces of restriction and 

 curtailment. 



Much Depends upon the Weather 



Prices told the farmer how many acres to plant, how much 

 labor to hire, and how much fertilizer to apply, but did not 

 tell him how much he would produce. That depended upon 

 the weather. Improved machinery, better breeds of livestock, 



