| Show U S A C head warns of possible drop jn in farm price farmers of utah are warned today that agricultural prices may drop while operating costs remain at a high level this prediction comes from utah state agricultural college extension marketing specialist G alvin carpenter carpente r of logan mr carpenter says that we are now in the postwar post posit war period bf rapid farm price adjustments it is a period calling for caution xe aie points out that the real problem ahead for the average farmer is that when prices drop farm arm operating costs do not drop in in the same p proportion ro portion the extension marketing specialist advises that farmers must recognize that farming will become more competitive and should expect rapid changes in agricultural prices ile he says indications are that the year 1017 1917 contains many characteristics similar to 1920 following which prices dropped sharply high purchasing power and consequent strong demand and prices will taper off somewhat towards the latter part of this year markets for foods and vegetables meats and many other food items are becoming more competitive if prices and consumer incomes continue to get more out of line there is danger that consumer buying will drop orders to manufacturers and wholesales will decline and unemployment will grow this he explained 1 aou would id mean a drop in demand for farm products and much lower farm prices and incomes to solve many of our agricultural problems in the next few years it is necessary that we maintain present high rates of consumption or even increase them mr carpenter advised ile he pointed out that the government is now supporting prices of such products as potatoes eggs and turkeys and that farmers and agricultural officials arc worried about surplus not shortages of most crops the recent high prices for wheat and a few other export commodities modi ties are due largely to purchases financed by the government to meet increased export schedules he explained these price rises may be of only short duration there have been no major changes in the basic situation government policies now being developed will determine the size of our exports and consequent effect on prices the outlook in brief on various utah farm products was reported by mr air carpenter as follows wheat recent wheat prices are the highest since 1917 and more than double the prices in january 1913 it is a gamble to carry large inventories of grain prices might drop rather suddenly as after world war 1 I however the wheat loan program is intended to prevent such a violent drop this time any changes up or down in the export schedule will likely bo be reflected in wheat prices dont speculate too much on products ready for market he advised sheep and lambs lamb a and nd mutton output will be small for some time mile but this sh should strengthen prices for sheep and lambs lamb prices are arc expected to decline seasonably after may 1 when new crop lambs move to market hogs hog prices are expected to stay high until most of the ida fall pig crop is ready for market the present ratio between prices of ho hogs gs and feed will result in a 3 larger gr pig crop next fall when this larger crop moves to slaughter prices will decline ine somewhat poultry and eggs this spring egg producers can look for moderately higher prices than a year ago in the last quarter of 1517 egg prices are likely to increase less than usual at that time dairy products consumption of fluid milk is expected to drop slightly in 1917 resulting in the diversion of more whole milk into info the production of other dairy products this expected shift of some whole milk into manufacture will tend to reduce of dairy products from th the c 1947 cash receipts rece wt below that of IWO enterprise dairy receive lower usually since farmers since for milk used in manufacture prices for than of dairy products milk consumed in fluid form fruits and vegetables there that cold weather are arc still chances fruit damage to serious can do still too consequently it is crops early to make definite forecasts early it if serious for ir fruit production frost damage can be avoided production of all major fruits will be rather large grow growers L r S ea can n look for somewhat lower prices on strawberries prices on most fresh fruits are arc expected to be slightly higher than last year because of smaller anticipated production potatoes farmers are planning to reduce potato acreage to about 88 per cent of if these intentions ent tent ions are carried out the reduction of late potatoes potato el should be more nearly in line with market requirements than has been the case this year yea r As the volume of early new potatoes increases on the markets toward the end of april prices of old crop potatoes are likely to decline |
