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Show June, 1966 UTAH FARM BUREAU Page 5 NEWS I (continued from Page 4) POTSHOTS AT THE DAIRY INDUSTRY THE BULLSEYE ON BEEF "The Administration has been giving away butter and cheese for years. Now it has suddenly decided that butter is too expensive for our servicemen and that cheese imports should be increased to "moderate possible further increases in cheese prices. As a minimum this situation suggests a lack of foresight posed on cattle hides. The January 1951 average price of steer hides was approximately 37-1- 2 cents. Hide prices were at 22 cents per pound when the export controls were introduced. It should be noted that in 1951, with ceiling prices on hides imposed at 33 cents per pound, the index of prices paid by farmers, interest, taxes and wage rates, as published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was 282. In March 1966, when export controls were imposed to force prices below 20 cents per index was 331. In spite of the fact that pound, the prices-pai- d index has increased by 17 per cent, an attempt the prices-pai- d is being made to control hide prices at approximately 35 per cent below the 1951 level." "In a speech before the Annual Convention of Super Market Institute on April 27, 1966, Gardner Ackley, Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers said: . . Recently, the support price for milk was increased in the hope that it would help to encourage a larger output By assuring milk producers that (they) will get at least this higher minimum, we may well obtain lower actual prices on milk thap would otherwise be the case.' "Secretary Freeman on March 31, 1966, in announcing his action to raise dairy support prices from $3.24 to $3.50 said: 'I am announcing moderate increases in dairy support prices and in minimum prices to producers ofbottling milk which will encourage an increase in the production of milk and avoid substantial price increases in milk and dairy products to consumers in months ahead.' (Emphasis act- ed.) "The USDA announcement of the increase in support prices further stated: 'Secretary of Agriculture Orville L. Freeman took action today to encourage expanded milk production . . . ExOn They pushed on beef prices" I I "Lower milk prices OUT OF THE WOODWORK for consumers" 0 times past, kept their actions and motives secret, seem now to be openly admitting that support prices are being manipulated for the express purpose of keeping farmers from getting higher prices on the basis of supply and demand in the market place. Perhaps they feel that public apathy is so widespread that they needn't worry and perhaps they're right "Farm Bureau has long taken the position that government intervention in the production and pricing of farm products reduces the farmer's ability to get a good income. We hope that farmers and those others who realize the damage these actions do to our economy, will register their displeasure at the polls, and do everything else within their power to change the present undesirable situation. panded output will mean lower retail prices for consumers ( than would otherwise be expected . . .' (Emphasis added.) March 31, 1966, in a letter to President Johnson, Secretary Freeman wrote: 'I believe that a condition exists which requires emergency treatment and that in order to moderate the possible further increases in Cheddar cheese prices, you should take immediate action to increase the Cheddar cheese quota for the current quota year ending June 30, 1966, by 926,700 pounds without awaiting the formal review and recommendations of the Tarriff Commission, in accordance with the provisions of Section 22(b) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, as amended.' "Officials admit they are manipulating prices" Ki22EgflagaimagmmBmaMiiaBaHBMBgaB FOOD PRICES ACROSS U.S. YEAR YEAR NOW AGO AGO (WMkof 59 Bacon, lb Ham, (center slices), lb. 99 A survey of grocery prices in eight major cities across the nation reveals sharp increases from year-ag- o levels. In each metropolitan area, a grocery chain provided price comparisons. Price variations for similar items reflect sales in some cases, or local supply and marketing conditions. CHICAGO, ILL. ATLANTA, GA. A LOOK AT Center-cu- pork chops, lb Sirioin steak, lb Chuck roast, lb Ground beef, lb Butter, lb. Milk, Vk gal Margarine, 2 lb. Eggs, large, doz. Bread, 2 loaves $1.29 99 85 $1.19 $1.29 69 59 59 49 75 75 55 55 39 40 Bacon, lb Ham, lb Center-cu- t loin pork chops, lb. ... Sirioin steak, lb Chuck roast, blade, lb Ground beef, lb Butter, lb Milk, qt Margarine, 2 lb large, grade A, doz. Bread, loaf Flour, 5 lb. Navy beans, lb. Potatoes, 10 lb Apples, 2 lb. Oranges, doz. 69 59 79 98 April 18-2- 89 59 79 $1.29 55 59 75 26 33 Eggs, 47 A, Flour, 5 lb. Navy beans, lb. Potatoes, 10 lb. Apples, 8 lb. Oranges, doz. SAN 18-2- 79 loin t grade (Wnkaf April 35 45 59 39 59 17 15 89 $1.09 $1.58 $134 49 FMNCISn, 49 LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 49 27 59 19 $1.19 49 98 CAUF. IB IB (Wnfepf 111) (top priet, April 18-2-3) |