CATTLE SLAUGHTER
during first half 1972 rose 1
percent over a year earlier but
heavier weights and a little
higher dressed yield boosted total
beef output 2 percent. Fed cattle
output, up 5 percent, accounted
for all the increase. Cow
slaughter fell 4 percent, while
nonfed steer and heifer slaughter
was down by about a third.
CATTLE FEEDERS plan to
market 7 percent more cattle this
fall and will probably keep
marketing large during the first
half of the new year, too. On
October 1 there were 10 percent
more cattle on feed than a year
earlier. Also operators had large
numbers of medium weight cattle
on feed that will be sold in the
winter. Moderately bigger
marketings next spring will
likely stem from a larger feeder
supply, expanded feedlot
capacity, and large cattle
placements this fall.
xxx
COW SLAUGHTER hit a
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John Cope (left) is a dairyman-businessman, equally
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Commonwealth National Agri-Loan Corp.
Serving the Agricultural Community
of South Central Pennsylvania
record low proportion of total
cattle slaughter for the first 9
months of 1972—17 percent of all
cattle slaughtered in federally
inspected plants, compared with
the average 20 percent. Despite
high cow prices, excellent feeder
cattle prices encouraged stock
men to hold back cows in an ef
fort to increase their 1973 calf
crop.
XXX
HOGAROUND . . . Farmers in
10 Com Belt States are having 1
percent more sows farrow during
June-November 1972 than a year
earlier and expect to have 7
percent more sows farrow during
December-February. This
reverses the downtrend in
production that began in early
1971 and expanded pork supplies
are expected by next spring.
xxx
PIG PRICES ... At seven
major markets barrows and gilts
ran $29 per 100 pounds in early
October, up $9 from a year
earlier. And while some price
weakness is developing as
slaughter reaches a seasonal
high this fall, prices should run
substantially ahead of 1971’s
October-December average of
$2O. During 1973’s first half hog
prices should pretty much match
this year’s January-June
average of $25 as strong con
sumer demand for meat absorbs
production increases.
EGG EXPECTATIONS
TOPPED . . . This year’s
healthier hens are laying more
eggs than in 1971 due to the
dramatic effects of Marek’s
disease vaccine. So, despite an
estimated 5 percent drop in layer
numbers by yearend, egg
production for 1972 will likely
stand very close to 1971’s 71.6
billion eggs. On September 1 the
Nation’s layers numbered 309
million, 4 percent below a year
earlier, but the rate of lay was up
2 percent and it continues to set
new records despite an aging
flock.
xxx
IN EVERY POT ... The
number of broilers raised in 1972
will probably exceed last year’s
total of 2.9 billion by around 6
percent. Output, however, will
exceed last year’s 7.8 billion
pounds by more than 6 percent
because average broiler weights
increased and condemnations
were sharply lower.
HOLIDAY BIRDS... A record
128 million turkeys are headed for
holiday dinner tables, 7 percent
more than last year and 1 percent
more than the previous high of
1967. Out put of turkey meat for
the heavy September-December
marketing season, which usually
accounts for half the annual
volume, will continue moderately
above last year’s total.
MORE MILK AND BETTER
PRICES mean dairy cash
receipts for the year will
probably hit $7.1 billion, up about
4Vz percent from 1971. Milk
production, up IVz percent during
January-August on a daily
average basis, looks likely to hit
120% billion pounds for 1972.
That’s up from 1971’s 118% billion
pounds. Prices, too, have been
up—2% percent through August
over a year earlier. Averaging
$5.90 per 100 pounds through
August, they may run about $6.05
for the entire year.
MILK CONSUMPTION, per
capita, may increase this year,
the first break in a long down
trend that has lasted since the
mid-1950’5. Last year’s figure
was 558 pounds per person.
Steadying factors include higher
meat prices, aggressive dairy
promotion, and relatively small
increases for retail dairy
products. Through August large
sale gains were reported for
cheese, and fluid skim and low fat
milks. Butter, frozen dessert, and
John Cope
Vice President and Farm
Manager, Ashcombe Farm
Dairy, Inc, (This 550-acre
farm has a 400-cow
Holstein herd, two retail
stores and its own
processing/packaging
plant.) Mr. Cope is a
Director and Treasurer,
Pennsylvania Holstein
Association. He is also a
member of the Dillsburg
Advisory Board of
Commonwealth National
Bank, and is active in
church and civic
organizations.
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 16.1972 —
cream sales gained moderately.
In August retail dairy prices
were less than 1 percent above a
year earlier. However, larger
increases may occur in the fourth
quarter
FEED . . . The feed grain
supply for 1972-73 totals about 242
million tons, slightly above last
year’s record volume. An
ticipated disappearance of
around 4 percent over 1971-72 will
exceed this year’s crop of 193
million tons, resulting in a
carryover decline next Sep
tember While supplies are
ample, feed grain prices for the
coming season will average
stronger than in 1971-72.
XXX
HERE AND THERE
Domestic feed grain use is
projected to rise about 3 percent
above 1971-72’s 164 million tons
due to more grain consuming
animals (particularly cattle),
continued heavy feeding rates,
and a decline in wheat feeding.
Exports are projected to increase
5 to 10 percent over the 27 million
tons shipped abroad in 1971-72
Export totals hinge upon large
sales to the U.S.S.R, Japan, and
Europe, and also upon the size of
spring feed crops in Argentina
and Australia.
Use the Positive
Approach
You can maintain discipline
with your children without ever
using these words: “Don’t do
that; stop that; quit it.” James
Van Horn, Extension family life
specialist at The Pennsylvania
State University, says the secret
is to use the positive approach
and transform all the don’ts into
do’s. For example, say “Roll the
ball on the floor” rather than
“Don’t throw the ball.” or “Hold
the kitten gently,” instead of
“Don’t squeeze the kitten.” By
using a negative approach you
tell your child only that he has
done something wrong. The
positive approach, on the other
hand, offers an accepted alter
native that will make life more
pleasant for you, your child and
your family.
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"Positive