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Show GROWERS AGREE ON RAY PRICE FOR ... THIS YEAR v Taking into consideration tho aver-ago aver-ago increase In prices on commodities affected by tho hay industry, 250 hay producers of Idaho, in session July 12 at Caldwell, agreed upon a basis for fixing the IMS price to consumers in Idaho. Tho Increase is 142 per cent over the prices prevailing for a three-year three-year period before the beginning of the world war. Tho percentage was arrived arriv-ed at by adding the percentage of price increase on sheep, wool, daily products (using the Elgin market) and cattle since before the war and dividing divid-ing the total by four. it was calculated that the price of hay last year was an increase of 115 I per cent above the price before the war. This was subtracted from the 142 per cent average increase on the sheep, wool, cattle and dairy products, and the difference added to last year's hay price, resulting In a tentative 191S price of approximately $17. On account of differentials applying ,to profits in the commodities considered consider-ed an allowance of S per cent will be made and deducted from the basic price. Another factor and possibly the main pne to be considered will be tho prevailing price established by outside markets. As soon as this is determined de-termined Harvey Allred, director of i farm markets, will set the final price, using the basis decided upon by the growers at tho Caldwell meeting. This decision was reached after an all-afternoon all-afternoon conference and with only two dissenting votes. The subject was aired most thoroughly, thor-oughly, the discussions being participated partici-pated In by growers and feeders from various countries of southwestern Idaho As 73 per cent of the hay of Idaho is consumed by sheep, the sheep men came in for a good deal of mention. men-tion. Sevoral held out for a greater increase in-crease than was decided upon, contending con-tending that the sheepmen could well afford to pay it, while others declared that small dairymen, who this year are having a hard time at best, should be considered even though a $20 price might not work a hardship on the sheepmen and would add materially to the income of the hay growers. In this Mr. 'Allred concurred, contending that the limitations of the small feeders should certainly be borne in mind. The dry farmer who has no hay crop this year was another factor that was mentioned by O. F. Strobel of Weiser. One grower called attention to the price that was fixed last year, $15, and to the fact that much hay was later disposed of at $10 a ton, sold wherever opportunity was afforded, and much was held over until late. In answer to this Mr. Allred declared there would not have been a ton left in Idaho at the going price of $15 had the shippers been able to secure cars when needed. It is estimated that there will be 15 pen cent less hay in Idaho this year than last. Discussion as to the results of holding hold-ing last year's crop for' $15 brought from Mr. Allred the statement that the growers, in spite of the car shortage, had realized on an average $14.90 whilo it had cost them only $S.9S to put it up. This is the first time in the history of Idaho, it was declared, that the grower had realized anything for his labor. In 1911 the cost of growing averaged $6.02 per ton and the selling price averaged but $6.92. During the conference President McDermolt of the Idaho Dairymen's association declared for a better quality qual-ity of hay and following considerable discussion of the matter it was voted to adopt some system of hay grading to be determined upon later. Among those who participated In the discussion were Dow Dunning, state representative from Owyhee county; O. F. Strobel of Weiser; L. G. McGee, secretary Boise Project Water Users' association; R. H. Woods of Payette; C. C. Tobias, well-known seed grower of Caldwell; V. D. TIanna of Caldwell, J. F. Llttooy of Boise, John McClusky and Hugh Sproat, president of the wool -growers' association. Gem State Rural. |
