Show 4 cross currents in farm picture PROD raj WAL aft ro EX rr S UP 1 J PRIME K 1 0 02 RIC E N EMS aap 00 COM CES 11 do t PRICES LID i aim 1 I C ow of MCI wa 01 0 1 ad VOLUME pon j cross currents are running now in the agricultural situation the U S department of agriculture reports higher prices income and costs are in prospect this year coupled with anxiety over drouth early crops and livestock were in good condition but the long dry spell has seriously damaged pastures and fields washington anxiety is felt over the possible effects of continued dry weather on the food for de bense program but drouth would need to be serious in view of the reservoir of feed in the ever nor mal granary winter wheat will soon be in harvest the crop is practically made a crop estimated at bushels the largest in 25 of the last 30 years total sup ply of wheat during the coming r s should hould J be of near record aj 21 ns eigher commodity loans have aided farm markets prices of agricultural staples rose to new marks in more than a year the tood food for defense program has raised the prices of livestock poultry and dairy products prospects for farm income in 1941 are above earlier estimates total agriculture al production may be larger this year than last notwithstanding the smaller 1941 pig crop unless drouth prevent reports of a serious farm labor shortage have been received by the department of agriculture nevertheless there was no evidence in late may that farm production schedules in areas adjacent to industrial du centers engaged in defense production had been curtailed field crops were being planted in about the same volume as last year in the past farmers usually have found it possible in the face of reductions in the supply of farm labor and increasing wage rates to cut production costs by working longer hours and by calling upon members of their families to help with work that had previously been done with hired help |