Show Soil Bank Enables Farmers to Strike Blow at Surplus Problem If we hadn't moved out o that 5 billion dollars dollars' worth of commodities com com- the Inventory today today to to- day would be above 11 billion dollars Instead of 6 billion said Marvin L L. McLain Assistant Secretary Secretary Sec Sec- of Agriculture in a recent address He lIe added however that in spite of or disposal efforts we have been forced to take In a dollar ano and a half's haUs worth through the back door for tor every dollars dollar's worth we moved out the front door Because of this situation the Assistant Secretary pointed out the Soil Bank Dank was developed to provide a frontal attack upon the surplus problem We Ve are goIng goIng going go- go Ing to the field now making the program available as quickly as I possible in line with the expressed express express- ed intent of Congress A number lof of farmers will still be able to toI take advantage of Its Us provisions I this season making adjustments in their production and earning payments under the program The Soil Bank flank holds great promise promise prom prom- ise for 1957 and the later years years of its auth authorization It Is not a panacea or a cure all It is a temporary tem and emergency program designed to get agriculture back Into balance Through the Soil Bank Program Program Pro Pro- Program gram farmers can strike directly at the surplus problem problem cutting cutting production temporarily below the present acreage allotment minimums minimums minimums mini- mini mums with payments to protect their current income The resulting result result- ing bag improvements in the supply situation will strengthen agricultural agricultural tural markets markets-a a major step in improving overall farm income The Soil Bank hank also especially also especially through its Conservation Reserve Program offers a major incentive for tor important conservation work again with payments to help cover cover coyer cov coy er er costs and protect income Referring specifically to wheat the Assistant Secretary stated that it seems certain that a 55 million-acre million national allotment will not by Itself serve to cut down the surplus under present yield conditions We also know that wheat farmers have felt the Imp impact ct of the 23 acre 23 adjustment adjustment adjustment ad ad- they have already had to make The loss of volume has affected affected af af- af total income directly Further Further Fur Fur- ther cuts would increase the pinch where the Acreage Reserve Reserve Re Re- serve Program of the Soil Dank Bank I I comes into play he explained I IThe IThe The payments will permit the the wheat farmers as a group to make the necessary additional production production production tion adjustments without loss of I current Income By using the wheat Acreage Reserve they can I I get the wheat carryover down to manageable size in la 3 or 4 years years years- and not be hurt financially while they are doing it it II I I |