La Grande observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1959-1968, December 31, 1959, Page 3, Image 3

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    Oba-rvtr, j Grande, Ore., Thure., Dec. 31, 1959 flago 3
300
280
260
240
220
PRICES RECEIVED AMD
PAID BY FARMERS
(inc. mnntsT, Yaxes and wages
lfes m mm
II0I14 -100) M
- 411
iH wm P
jjP pfll ,
Market
1956
1957
19S8
1959
GROWING PAINS Economic ups and downs on the
farm added up to bad news for farmers last year. After
a good return in 1958, farmers' income dropped sharp
ly during 1959. At the same time, prices they had to
pay out continued their steady pull-away. Farmers
showed another drop in gross income in Union County
during the year. It was the 10th straight year that farm
income has dropped in this county.
Large. Belt Of Great Plains
Acreage Damaged By Erosion
WASHINGTON UPI The
Agriculture Department said to
day about 200,000 acres ot land in
the Great Plains states were dam
aged this season by wind erosion.
Reports from 263 counties cov
ering about 240 million acres in
the 10 Great Plains states indi
cated that, an additional 12.600.000
acres Were in condition to blow
during this winter and next
spring.
Nearly all the wind damage this
season occurred in November.
200,000 acres damaged through
Dec. 1 compared with about 400,
000 acres on the same date in
1958 and 100.000 acres in 1957.
The damaged acres were con
centrated in Nebraska, Kansas,
and North Dakota. These three
states accounted for about 80 per
cent of the total damaged acres
in the plains states.
WASHINGTON LPI The
Agriculture Department will hold
a public hearing Jan. 26 at Spring
field, 111., on a proposal to quar
antine Illinois against the Soy
bean cyst nematode.
The hearing also will air plans
to regulate a localized Infestation
of , the nematode In Pulaski
County.
The soybean nematode was dis
covered on a single farm near
Mounds in Pulaski County during
September. Samples have been
taken from some 1,600 farms com
prising nearly 93.000 acres in 82
Illinois counties without- finding
additional infestations
Infested areas in Arkansas, Ken'
tucky, Mississippi. Missouri, North
Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia
already are under quarantine.
WASHINGTON HPI - The
Agriculture Department today es
timated 1959 production of dry
edible beans in the United States
and 27 foreign countries at 84,
000,000 100-pound bags, five per
cent less than in 1958.
WASHINGTON (UPI) The
Agriculture Department will re
sume buying dried whole egg
solids which, it halted last Septem
ber when egg prices began their
seasonal rise.
The department said today it
would start buying the eggs again
Jan. ' 12 in an effort to stabilize
prifes received by egg producers.
The eggs will be made available
to states for distribution to school
lunch rocms and to needy per
sons.
WASHINGTON (UPI) The
Agriculture Department said to
day feedstuff markets were mixed
for the week ending Dec. 22 with
ga:ns slightly offsetting losses.
Prices averaged 25 ' cents per
ton higher than in the previous
week. Dairy and cattle feeds re''
mained the best movers among
formula feeds, mainly because un
favorable feeding ratios (lowed
movement of egg. poultry and hog
feeds.
Soybean meal weakened at most
markets, averaging around 50
cents per ton lower.
Market Quotations
By Unittd Press International
Outlook
Is Dim
CORVAU.1S UPI) - The 190
farm market outlook is none too
ncrtiraghg, according to special
ists at Oregon Suite Colleg.v
Marion D. Thomas, extension
agricul ual ccor.onist, said pros
pects for abundant looi supplies
have led Department of Agricul
ure analysts to forecast i960 na
tional net farm income at least
5 per cent below the 1959 level.
In articles in the Oregon Farm
and Market Outlook, a publication
of Crrgon Slats College, farm
specialists in poult'y, dairy, live
stock and croo fields sec a lower
income H the coming year.
Thomas said that Oregon agn-!
culture is likely to continue short
on rewards largely because food
is being prenuced in such great
abundance. Consumers, he said.
now prefer to spend their extra
dollars on comforts and conveni
ences, including processed foods.
Changes Suggnttd
He added however, that farmers
who make the right change at (he
right time, will be rewarded. He
said one of these changes is to
adjust prrduction to changes in
market prospects and marketing
practices. Another method is to
adopt cost-cutting, income boost
ing tools and practices growing
out cf new technology.
Oregon s cattle, hog and lamb
prices will average moderately
lower in I960, according to S. C.
Marks, OSC extension economist.
He said the drop will be due to a
further increase in the national
supoly of perk and beef.
Marks said the cattle industry
is entering a period that calls for
caution. He added, however, that
a sharp drop in cattle prices is
not expected. Further declines be
yond 1960 are likely, but prices
need not become as distressing as
in the 1950 s if the industry avoids
high cost expansion, he said.
Dairy Outlook
Oscar Tlaag. dairy marketing
specialist, added the dairy market
to the danger lone. Profit-wise.
1960 looms as none too promising,
he said.
Prices paid by dairymen in re-
recent months have averaged the
highest ever for a corresponding
period, but indications are that
mixed feed and hay situations
will add further worries to the
dairyman's cost problem, at least
during the first half ef the coming
year. ...
A brighter picture is seen' for
the poultry' market in gome as
pects, according to specialist C.
M. Fischer. Farm prices for eggs,
broilers and turkeys in 1959 reach-
ed the lowest levels since the
early 1940 s, he said.
No sharp cutbacks in the indus
try rare Seen for "i960 except pos-'
sibly for broilers 'during part of
the year. With total quantity de
clining ' Very little and increase
moderate, the miajoi4 source of
downward price pressure will be
flight, he said.
Bill Bebout, Editor
Valley Farm-Ranch-Home Agricultural Use
Of Chemicals Due
For Special Study
The -grawing concern with us
'cf chemicals in agriiMlture will
'come lfr.re k study trommitwe
whUh will sift out and evaluate
nrvsont information in this field.
' Frank MrKennon. state director
ot agrietiltunv Mid the state
board of agriculture that he and
Dean V. E. Price of Oregon State
College have held preliminary
discussions toward calling togeth
er a selected Vommittec early in
the new year.- i i- .
! Hopresentatives will be
r'onttodll
ffeK-'jiTo Stock
PORTLAND DAIRY
PORTLAND i UPI i Dairy mar
ket: Eggs To' retailers: Grade AA
extra large. 49-52C; AA la'ge. 46
48c; A large. 44-46c: AA medium
41-43c: AA small, 32 37c; cartons
l-3c additional.
Butter To retailers: AA and
grade A prints, 70c lb.: carton,
lc higher: prints. 68c.
Cheese medium cured' To
retailers: A grade cheddar single'
daisies, 44-51c: processed Ameri
can cheese, 5-lb, loai. 42-44c,
PORTLAND LIVESTOCK
PORTLAND i UPI' 'USDAi
Weekly livestock:
Cattle 1125: average choice 1132
lb. fed steers 27.50: low choice
under 1000 lb. 27; good 24-16.25;
good-choice fed hcilers 24; utility
cows 15-17, canner cutters 11 50
13.50; cutter-utility bulls 16-19.50.
Calves 150; vealcrs strong to
1.00 higher: some good - choice
vealers 28 - 33, couple head 34;
standard vealcrs and calves 22
27; good-choice stock calves 23-26.
Hogs 1025: butchers mostly 1.00
higher; 1 and 2 at midweek 14.75
15, early sales Monday 15.25-15.50.
NEW YORK STOCKS l"
NEW YORK (UPK Industrial
shares broke into new high ground
in their average today on mod
erately active turnover.
The section went over the top
at the opening as traders focused
I their attention on the high quality
, issues included In the averages
I The industrial shares closed
I just l is points away from the
peak Wednesday. . The previous
, top was 678.10 set Aug..S, but by
the first hour today the average
stood at 679.83, a difference of 1.75
points. . . "
However, the only .high that
counts is the one that comes at
the close. "
Among the components of the
average to score were U.S. Steel
up more than 1, DuPont, Inter
national Paper, Jersey Standard
art Bethlehem Steel all up' frac
tions, and General Electric up
nearly l'. -
" Motors gained on balance with
Ford up more than 1, and Gen
eral 'Motors, Chrysler and Amer
ican Motors all up around a half
or more." Steels were -strong, as
were electron), oils, and the
electrical equipment.
V We Will Be
CLOSED
SATURDAY
January 2nd
T
GLOBE
FURHTTUBE
Beef Council
Will Collect
For Promotion
Voluntary state" fteM- -promo
tion pre gram of the Oregon Beef
Council will be launched in Jan
uary, the council has announced.
Brand inspectors of the State
Department of Agriculture, auc
tion yards, terminal markets and
meat packers throughout the
state will be collecting for the
program at the rate of 10 cents
per head on all cattle and calves
sold. -
These collections for beef pro
motions will be made cither at
the point of origin or at the
market place as authorized by
the seller on ' either the state
brand inspection certificate -or
the livestock transportation cer
tificate. .
The program was enacted by
the 1959 Oregon Legislature and
funds collected will be used to
conduct a program of publicity,
consumer education, research
and trade relations' for beef.
The beef cattle industry ac
counts for 20 per cent of Ore
ton's farm -income with annual
sales of $80,000,000. - "
The council will work closely
with -ctristmg state and national
oYgatmtatftMs In in effort to 'in
crease beef consumption. Pro
grams are presently conducted
long this line by the Oregon
I Cow Belles, National Beef Coun
cil - and ' the National Livestock
and Meat BoaTd." The council
will give financial Support to re
search programs of the latter
organization.' '
M. H. Tippett, Enterprise, atifl
fas.!- lL'ilctfi KTwtl. .J m.
. . .. i.u, iu ruwuci, arc
1 i - r .i . . . . .
memoera oi we council wnicn
was appointed earlier in the year
by Gov. Mark O. Hatfield. ' -
CHECK EXPERIMENT RESULTS
Ted Sidor, left. Union County extension agent, and Vance Pumphrey, agronomist at
the Eastern Oregon Experiment Station at Union, check production figures on ex
periment currently being conducted by Pumphrey. Results of the experiment which
will continue for at least two more years show effects of nifrogen fertilizer appli
cation time on wheat production. - (Observer Photo)
t ...
Wheat Fertilizer Application
Time Shows Production Effect
men
Nearly Repaid
WASHINGTON IUP1 The
Agriculture Department ' reports
that all but 10 million dollars of
the 88 million dollars loaned to
western stcckmen for drought re
lief has been' repaid. ' 1 '
The special livestock loan pro
gram was authorized hack hi 1953
when drought had thousands of
western stockmen on the ropes.
The loan program was open
from 1953 through 1957. Since 1957,
no new applications have been
accepted, but a few of the earlier
borrowers were given additional
credit.
By TED SIDOR
Union County Agent
UNION (Special I Effect of
nitrogen fertilizer application time
on wheat production is currently
being studied by Vance Pumphrey,
agronomist at the Eastern Oregon
Experiment Station here.
Pumphrey has found that early
spring and mid-spring applications
result In considerable differences
in yield, straw weight and straw
height as compared to nitrogen
fertilizer application in the fall.
Basing his results on one year's
trials, Pumphrey said that the
results are preliminary and at
least two more years of continued
study must be maintained before
results can be considered conclu
sive' Results for his ' one year trial
show an increase on one central
Grande Ronde Valley farm, using
30 pounds of nitrogen per acre.
Thirty bushels per acre wer
harvested when fertilizer was ap
plied in the fall; 45 bushels were
harvested when the 30 pounds i
of nitrogen were applied in April; J
and 39 bushels were harvested
in mid-spring.
On a farm located near the
north end of Sand Ridge. 64 bushels
per acre were harvested when 30
pounds of nitrogen were applied
in the fall: 70 bushels were har
vested when the same amount of
nitrogen was applied in early
spring; and 76 bushels were har
vested when the nitrogen was ap
plied in mid-spring.
In this field, straw production
and lodging were considerably less
where the nitrogen was applied In
mid-spring.
Pumphrey points out that in
the mid-spring application had a
three point advantage over other
times of application greater yield.
less straw, and less lodging.
A close correlation was found
between bushels per acre produced
and straw prcduction per acre
with variations found in lim? of
nitrogen application and native
ferti'itv of the soil.
Farm Groups To Ask Federal
Study On Food Chemicals
WASHINGTON I UPI I Farm
organizations soon may ask the
government to set up an inde
pendent commission to study prob
lems raised by the use of chemi
cals in feed.
The tentative decision to seek
an unbiased government-endorsed
study was made at a meeting of
farm group leaders here earlier
this week. A final decision is ex
pected to be reached at another
meeting shortly after Jan. 1.
The move stems from the fear
of farm leaders that recent gov
ernment crackdowns on cranber
ry and caponcttc growers m.-iy
shake the confidence of consum
ers in the purity and safety of
the nation's food supply.
The farm leaders, do not ques
tion the need for rigid policing to
insure food purity. But they a c
oppofed to the use of nationwide
publicity in food contamination
cases involving only a small per
centage of producers.
This, they say. hurts innocent
as well as guilty growers.
Arthur S. Flcmmitig, secretary
of health, education and wel
fare, recently halted the distribu
tion of cranberries and capon
ottos found to be contaminated
with substances which produced
cancer in laboratory animals.
Some rial on.il farm leaders
were bitterly critical of what they
considered unnecessary fanfare
acccmoanying the actions.
Farm leaders fear that unless
the government takes some dra
matic oction. there win be con
tinuing public agitation about
chemicals in agriculture possibly
some heavily-publicized congres
sional investigations of the sub
ject. They feel this may be avoided
if congreunonal leaders and the
administration agree on the quick
appointment of a study commis
sion. One possibility is a group
appointed by the President from
among well - hifo med scientists
both in and out of government
service.
An average of three high yielding
tests on the 30 pound nitrogen rate
showed that fall application result
ed in a yield of 55.1 bushels per
sere and 9.0M pounds of straw or
163 pounds ot straw per busnei
produced.
The same rate of nitrogen Bp
pliad in early spring gave pro
duction of 59 bushels per acre with
9,200 pounds of straw or 157 pounds
of straw per bushel of wheat per
acre.
Mid-spring application of fer
tilizer gave 64 bushels per acre,
8.470 ' pounds of straw or 132
pounds of straw per bushel cf
wheat produced. (
Other experiments on less pro
ductive sites showed an early ap
plication of 30 pounds of nitrogen'
producing 35 bushels of wheat per'
acre and 2600 pounds of straw
or 76 pounds of straw for every
bushel of wheat produced.
An increase in wheat from nitro
gen can be expected In most fields.
Pumphrey summarized. Fields
which are most likely not to need
nitrogen are those with deep, dark
colored soil which has been ro
tated, have been in alfalfa or le
gume pastures.
Trials on spring oats and bar'ey
showed that production yields were1
increased by the applications o:
nitrogen and phosphorus.
Yield increase in most cases,
however, did not warrant the ap
plication of commercial ferti'izer.
Sulfur de'icicneies were noted in
some fields tested. As the weather
warmed and the sulfate became
available the deficiency disap
peared. Additional fertilizer (rials on
WASHINGTON iL'Pl' The
Agriculture Department says that
construction began on more than
100 small watershed projects dur
ing 1959.
By Dec. 1, there were a total
of 120 small watersheds approved
for construction with 210 approved
for federal aid.
WASHINGTON VPI -Funeral
services will be held here to
day for Dr. George W. Pope, who
once headed the Federal Veteri
nary Quarantine Service. He died
Thursday at the age of 92.
Pope, a native of Madison. Wis.,
was a Veterinary surgeon for the
Agriculture Department for ' 42
years. His service included posti
in Boston, New York and San
Diego, Calif. f (
WASHINGTON (UPI I The
Agriculture DepflTtment has
asked farmers and other in
terested persons for their views
on a proposed change in stand
ards for sweet peppers.
The revised standards include i
U.S. fancy grade requiring highei
quality than the present US
fancy. The change would mean a
wider spread between U.S. fane)
and U.S. no. 1 quality than exists
be-tween the two grades now.
to pr.rticiitate from ' the state
board of health, chemical com
panies, ground and nir applicators
and others directly concerned
with tin problem.
In connection with the discus
sion of spray residue, the bcrrd"
approved the stand taken by thej
State Department of Agriculture
in the recent cranberry ;ftuatlnn
Members agreed with McKen
non that the first ce.neern is Tor
4 fthe needs of the public and its
asked 'welfare but that within this
framework the needs of agricul
ture should alo be guarded.
Ward Spat. Meclford horticul
tnriit. referred to the need for
spray on fruits, hut said, "I
cannot see for the lite of my why
growers should not follow the
recomfnndations made for the
use of these products."
MeKennon reported that the
department has found no amino-
trlazoie contamination in cran
berries analyzed in its laborator
ies, nor was any found in samples
the department sent to the feder
al laboratory in Atiany. Calif.
The board approved a sugges
tion that Ihe director of agricul
ture, in consultation with Ihe
OSC dean of agriculture, sift se
lections proposed by commodity
commissions and that the gover
nor make the appointment oa
basis of this screening. '
This proposal will be submit
ted to Governor llutiielil. whb
earlier asked that he be relieve
of the many commission appoint
ments. :
240,000 Acres Of
Oregon Cropland
Will Be Dormant
PORTLAND (UPP-About 240.'
000 acres of Oregon cropland wilt
be held out of production in 1960
under conservation reserve con
tracts, according to J. E. Mc
Burney, chairman of the Oregoq
State Agricultural Stabilization
and Conservation committee.- s
He said some loo.ooo acres in
Oregon already are ont of nroduc
tion under a program and about
50.000 aridttiosal ncres are expect
ed to be added. ' -4
The land is held back to help
ease the farm surplus situation;
The government pays an annual
rental for Olo land, i . . I -
FIND OLD TOOLS
TEHRAN, Iran UPH A team
of Chicago University archacolo
g'ists have ' unearthed tools be
lieved to have been fashioned
100.000 years before Christ at Ker
manshuh In western Iran, accord
ing to press reports Wednesday.
The 14 man team is headed try
Prof. Robert Braidwood.
grass and legume fields were also
conducted by Pumphrey and win
be reported to (armers of the area
in the future..
"NO, NO, HO,.
STORM DOORS
STORM WINDOWS
fn Aluminum and Wood
Millafa Cabin Shop
These Are
Most Essential!
i ; - i ,
ADEQUATE COVERAGE! . . .
B certain you hava all of the
right kind of insurance protec
tion. ! '
COMPLETE SERVICE! ... We
make sure your coverage it al
ways up-to-date. We process
yor claims!
DEPENDABLE COMPANIESI -We
handle only old tine end
proven concerns. Call today.
EAUM INSURANCE AGENCY
ANNOUNCING
NEW NAME..
NEW YEAR..
. Effective January 1,. 1960, all National Farm Loan
Associations will be known as FEDERAL LAND BANK
ASSOCIATIONS. The now name better identifies the
associations with the purpose for which they were
chartered and for which they have operated through
the years, namely, the making and servicing of long
term, low-cost FEDERAL LAND BANK LOANS.
!, i " ! t . il ' ':... V
As in the past, the associations will continue to
operate with just one aim in mind to provide the
very finest in long-term farm financing.
. FEDERAL LAND. BANK
ASSOCIATION OF LA GRANDE
. : . a. , J.,.,. ....
Serving Union, Baker A Wallowa Counties
The Foley Bldg.
field OTnW: Baker, 'Antfttrs
Hotel; Enterprise, Rum Fen's
Office.
ArWi -STANLEY'
Association. Manager
MERTON A. DAVIS CHAS. SMUTZ ' MARION McfRAe
LEE SAVELY ORIEN HUG GRANT CONLEY DON KOOCH
Seera of Director .
I WANT THAT
BRAKDED COAll".
Smart man... won't settle
for a substitute . . knows
that coal good enoujh to
brand must be something
special. . . ., , .., ,
ADC COAL
is. something speciiil .. .
lowest ash-highest heat
Homogenized lor smooth
est firing. . .
free of tramp metal
never a stalled stoker...
Duspruf for cleaner homes.
For ckinlmru, comfort and eomrtntenca
THY SOMt AIC . . . AND SOS
LOOK FOR THE BRAND ... THE F0Jt
I DISCS SCjaUBCD TH EVERY TOF4
LA GRAKEE
LUK3E71 CO.
(ABERDEEN COAlj
i. W0 441U u
sniTn c;c3v
Ilivbg Serrict
(BLUE BLAZE COAL)
. hs..Wd,8-433 , ..
a
c
1
.'.'
10S Depot
La Grande- .,
WO 3-2125