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IN ANNUAL FARM OUTLOOK - The Squeeze Is Tightening For Farmers, Agent Foresees ? By T. H. FAGC (County Agent) Each year through the coopera tion of the U. 8. Department ol Agriculture, the Department of Agricultural Economics at N.C. State College, and other agricul tural agencies, up-to-date Informa tion and statistics are prepared on progress in agricultural enter prises during the past year and predictions or the outlook for these enterprises during the com ing year. In this article, an attempt will be made to briefly give the out look. on farming operations for 1960. particularity as they con cern our farmers in Macon Coun ty. Sqneeae On FVst. let's briefly look at the over-all economic situation of the United States as a whole. Two things are clearly Indicated from a .quick look at 1958: (1) Non feOSa txople are enjoying the most prosperous year in history and; (2). Farmers are being squeezed more and more by high costs and low prices. Even though over-all economic activity has been at record levels farmers nave not shared in this prosperity. In 1959 more goods and services were produced and used in the United States than ever before. The gross national production amounted to 479 billion dollars and it would easily have reached the 500 billion mark had it not been for the steel strike. This Is 37 billion dollars more than in 19S8. Consumer spending exceed ing 311 billion dollars in 1959. This spending Includes such things as food, clothing, automobiles and trucks, appliances, medical, dental, services expenses, etc. Government spending, which includes federal, state, and local governments in 1959 amounted to approximately 98 billion dollars. This is five billion more than 1958. Private investment spending In 1959 reached 70 billion dollars, which Is the highest in our his tory. Private investment spending consisted of residential cons true tion of new facilities. Spending Up The outlook for 1960 in general is that consumer spending will continue to rise, government spending will also Increase. Oross national production will exceed the 500 billion dollar mark. Em ployment will be at,? high level, wagea will average slightly higher, consumer Incomes and expendi tures will likely Increase, and farm Income will be lower. So much for the general eco nomic situation of the United States as a whole. Now let's take a quick look at the outlook and predictions on certain specific farming enterprises that definitely concern our Macon County farm ers. Larger Crop The 1959 burley tobacco crop is estimated to be some 7 per cent larger than 1958. Carry-over sup plies from previous years are slightly less and total supply for 1959-60 will be approximately 1 per cent less than the previous Wide-Track widens the stance, not the car. With the widest track of any car, Pontiac gives you better stability, less lean and sway, accurate control. SEE YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED PONTIAC DEALER IVIE PONTIAC COMPANY NORTH MAIN ST. CLAYTON, GA. GIRLS .... this is Leap Year! don't ASK him . . . SHOW him he's Your Valentine! FINE FROSTY-WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS. Cotton or linen, your choice of plain, initialed, oc> and bordered jDC lO ?5>1.UU SUPER SELECTION IN NECKWEAR. Some are, "neat but not gaudy". Others speak for them- ?1 CA selves. By Regal 3)1. DU SLEEP EASY PAJAMAS. In broadcloth or rayon. Handsomely tailored and 3>4."D WHITE SHIRTS. Why not make it a Manhat- q- , tan? The finest he has ever worn, yet only and OJ.UU GIVE HIM A COLORFUL SPORT SHIRT in ^ Q[- ftft those colorful in-between season fabrics TO OJ.UU HANDSOME MALE JEWELRY. By Swank. Tie clips, cuff links, and other trinkets to dress him up. DRY MAN'S MEN AND BOYS' STORE year. Farmers in Macon and sur rounding counties took a definite beating on their tobacco this year due to so much rain and fog dur ing the cutting and curing season. This condition caused a definite reduction in both quality and poundage which reflected a drastic reduction In price per pound and total income from their tobacco. Domestic use of burley tobacco is expected to Increase slightly due to Increasing number of cigarettes being manufactured. Ex ports are expected to remain steady because of rising economic conditions abroad and the im proved dollar position in foreign countries. This indicates that prices for burley in 1960 should remain good provided quality is anywhere near normal. Feed Surplus The feed situation in the United States shows a surplus carry-over of corn. oats, barley, and milo of 166 million tons, or S per cent more than ever before. North Carolina shows 2.8 million tons, or 8 per cent more than 1958. Hay production is 9 per cent lower In the United States and 4 per cent lower in North Carolina than 1958. The outlook for 1960 on grains is that grain feed will aver age a little tower than 19S9 due to the tremendous carry-over of supplies. Indications are that higher prices may develop on good quality alfalfa and lespedeza hays. Supply of all feeds in relation to numbers of livestock to be fed ap pears to be very adequate. i Hon Increasing Hog numbers have been increas ing for two years and the 1959 pig crop of 10414 million is 10 per cent higher than 1958. The critical point in this hog cycle is expected to come in the fall of 1960. No price increases in swine are anticipated during 1960. Money In Sheep Sheep raising is an enterprise that is not being given as serious consideration as should be in Ma con County. There is money to be made in sheep, provided proper care and management are used. Sheep numbers In the United States during 1959 were close to 30 million head with a 2 per cent larger lamb crop than in 1958. The outlook on lamb prices for 1960 are good with prices for both lambs and wool averaging close to the 1959 level. More MUk Dairying Is one of our main income producing enterprises in Macon County It is also one of the most stable farming enter prises in the United States and shows less fluctuation both in pro duction and price than most any agricultural commodity. In North Carolina during 1959. some 875 million pounds of grade A milk' was sold, an increase in sales of 4.6 per cent. More milk was pro duced on fewer dairies, indicating a slight increase in size of herds and a definite improvement in quality of dairy cows with a trend toward improved feeding ? con ditions. Outlook predictions for dairying suggest a continued rise in production and consumption for 1960, with an average price per hundred for grade A milk test ing 4 per cent of close to six dol lars. This figure is approximately the same as received in 1959. Ri[ Enterprise Beef cattle Is also an enterprise of great concern to our Macon Farm Is Defined By '60 Census Of Agriculture What is a farm? The U. S. Census Bureau, now engaged in taking the 1960 Census of Agricul ture, has come up with a new definition. The new specifications call for either more acreage or higher farm product sales. For a place of 10 acres or more, farm product sales must be $50 or more a year to qualify as a "farm". Where the acreage Is less than 10 acres, actual sales must exceed $250 a year. Since 1950, the census bureau had labeled a "farm" any property measuring three acres or more, providing it produced $150 worth of agricultural products a year. Property smaller than three acres qualified if actual sales total $150 or more. It's estimated that about four million farms in the U. S. will qualify under the new label. This will be a significant decrease from the number now listed as "farms." PLUMBING And HEATING For A-l Work .t Reasonable Rate* CALL W. G. HALL Call LA 4-2913 County farmers. Most of our cattle, however, are marketed fm Krass fat cattle rather than grain fed. Beef cattle numbers are at an all-time high and further expan sion appears likely. The 1959 calf crop in the United States amount ed to 43.328.000 head, total cattle and calves in 1959 on the farm was close to 102 million head and Is expected to continue to rise. Cattle-on-feed in 1959 was 10 per cent above 1958. The outlook for 1960 is that cattle marketing will continue to increase steadily and that the price will be from $2 ? $3 per hundred lower. A sharper break may be expected In the price of feeder animals, cows, and other low grade animals. Market Needed Fruits and vegetables Bring In a sizable Income for our farmers, in the county and could mean a great amount more If adequate markets were available. The trend of consumer spending in this field Is more and more toward pro cessed foods, which means that the producer will be selling more to the processor than to the fresh market In the future. The outlook for fruits and vegetables for I960 appears to be favorable due to somewhat lower acreages and yields In 1959. Predictions are that Irish potatoes will be higher In price, also apple prices should I show Improvement along with a | steady market for rertain other vegetables. Bad Situation Poultry production, which has in years past provided a big gross income, has about hit bot tom and has now become a very serious problem for our farmers. The picture at the present time is still very gloomy. The market egg and hatching egg situation show seme indications of slightly higher prices by the fall of 1960. This is due to drastic reductions in laying birds on the farms during the last year. Broiler prices are not ex pected to be much higher for 1960 than 1959, even though there has been a reduction of broiler placements on the farm. This is due in part to the cheap price of pork which competes on the mar ket with broiler meat. Not So Good For the average farmer these outlook predictions are not at ail encouraging. It Is the same old story, "the farmer will have to pay more for the things he has to buy, and take less for the things he has to sell". He is truly in the squeeze. Therefore, It Is even more Important than ever before for the farmer to do a good Job of farm management. This means Increasing production. Improving quality of his products to assure the best prices possible, watching costs and keeping them as low as possible, keeping records so that / he knows where his dollar be spent, and In general to do a better job in his ti operation! ambe?l tryinfl n-rrlri B NEW DAFFIN FEEDMOBILE Grinds your home-grown grains, hays, and rough ages the way you want theiy right on your farm. Give us a call and let us show you that the Daffin way will save you money, time and hard work. Darnell & Vinson Phone 6550 Dillard, Ga. Plato (427-347 B.S.t Said: "1GNORANCK IS THK ROOT OF MISFORTUNE' Your body Is a machine with complicated parts. A physician has to devote years of study to learn how to keep It functioning properly. It Is Important that medicines be safely potent. That Is why phaftnacists are now required to attend college of pharmacy for five years, before being licensed to prac tice pharmacy. To obtain medicines from people Igno rant of this necessary Knowledge can lead to misfortune. 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Feb. 11, 1960, edition 1
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