MILK-FEED PRICE RATIO*
FOUNDS
2.0
1972 1
is ——
— :
16 1 •; —
14 1974 1971 -J-
i.o j-T- J i Lj — L=^
JAN. MAR. MAY JULY SEPT. NOV.
FOUNDS OF CONCENTRATE RATION EQUAL IN VALUE TO ONE ROUND OF MILK SOLD TO PLANTS
U S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEC. ERS JO4- 74 (7 I uCONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE
(Continued from Page 361
up in only 5 of the 34 States reporting monthly
production.
January-May milk output came to 48.8 billion
pounds, about 2Vi percent below a year earlier. The
average number of milk cows for the period was down
2.7 percent from a year ago, while output per cow rose
only slightly.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of 1974
The sharp seasonal declines in farm milk prices
have clouded the milk production outlook. Will these
price drops discourage farmers to the point of
speeding their exodus from dairying during the
remainder of 1974?
Here are some factors to consider:
(1) Seasonal declines in farm milk prices havebeen
sharper than normal. All-milk farm prices dropped
$1.06 per 100 pounds from March to June and
FOR SALE
113 ACRE FARM
(75 acres tillable - balance in woodland)
4 BEDROOM FRAME HOUSE - IV 2 baths,
full conveniences, bank barn. All farm
buildings in good repair. Spring fed farm
pond. 3000 ft. frontage on hard road.
Location: Rt. 118,2 mi. E. of Hughesville,
Pa.
Call Elizabethtown 367-2699
for further details
PUBLIC AUCTION
AT THE NEW
HAT & GAVEL AUC
Big Sale - Thursday, July 25-6 P.M.
GENERAL LINE HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS
IN GOOD CONDITION.
Air Conditioners, Sweepers, Furniture,
TV's, Glassware, etc.
WE ARE NOW RECEIVING ANTIQUES
FOR THE ANTIQUE SALE AUGUST 1.
YOU MAY CALL 626-0254.
WILBUR H. HOSIER
306 Owl Hill Rd., Lititz
HAT & GAVEL AUCTION CO. SELLS ON COMMISSION - Call 626-0254
Receiving Hours: Monday. Noon to 9 P.M.; Wednesday, 9 A.M. to 6 P M.; Tuesday, Pickup Day.
One mile North of Lititz along Rt. 501
manufacturing milk prices declined $1.61, about to
support levels. The support program will prevent any
further drop in manufacturing milk prices.
(2) Milk prices will likely be increasing seasonally
this fall and winter, althoughprobablynot backup to
the levels of earlier this year.
(3) Depending on the outcome of the 1974 crops,
feed prices may moderate later this year, and this
would help boost milk-feed price relationships.
However, the feed price drop may not be as great as
earlier anticipated and other costs will likely
continue to rise.
(4) There was a large supply of replacement stock
on dairy farms beginning this year.
(5) Slaughter cow prices have declined and will
probably continue well below year-earlier levels
during the second half. Consequently, culling rates in
dairy herds are not expected to increase materially.
Alternative farm enterprises do not look very
attractive at this time with lower beef and hog prices.
(6) The general economy continues soft with the
unemployment rate likely to average higher this
year. This means off-farm employment opportunities
are not very favorable for dairy farmers and for dairy
labor, tending to keep them milking.
(7) Pastures and hay crops are reported in good
condition this year.
(8) USDA has started to buy process American
cheese under the price support program which should
help remove excess cheese supplies from the
commercial market. Also, no further increases in
nonfat dry milk imports will be allowed at this time.
However, USDA did turn down a request for a
hearing to put a floor under Class I prices in Federal
order markets.
(9) Preliminary reports indicate Class I prices
negotiated by dairy farmer cooperatives have been
declining less than Federal order minimum Class I
prices. There is uncertainty however, over how much
of the over-order payments can be maintained.
On balance, milk production will likely remain
JAY M. WITMAN
RD3, Manhelm, Pa.
m
In Central America, gold is
believed to have a soul.
JUNE-JULY-AUGUST
STOCKER and FEEDER AUCTION SALE
Next Sale July 26, 1974
SECOND AND FOURTH FRIDAY EACH MONTH
All Grades, Breeds, Weights
LANCASTER STOCKYARDS, INC.
LANCASTER, PA.
MEMBER FIRMS
WALTER M. DUNLAP & SONS JOHNSON CATTLE CO.
J. B. HOOBER & SON
LOUIS LYONS & SON
incaster Farming. Saturday, July 20,1974 —
below year-earlier levels in coming months, although
the rate of decline may continue to slow. Milk output
per cow should strengthen further in the second half,
particularly late in they ear if feed prices do moderate.
With large numbers of herd replacements available
and with beef cattle prices remaining below a year
ago, the rate of decline in milk cow numbers may ease
some more in coming months.
It still looks like we may see milk output rise above
a year earlier late this year. However, it will not
prevent total 1974 milk output from being down to 1 to
VA percent from 1973’s 115.6 billion pound output
Protein Feed Prices Favorable
This year’s protein picture of larger supplies and
lower prices is in sharp contrast to last year when
supplies were tight and prices were skyrocketing
Soybean meal at Decatur was around MOO per ton in
early July, down from about $2OO last winter and over
$4OO a year ago Recently, soybean meal has been
I Continued on Page 38]
M> GAP AUCTION
FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 26, 1974
6:00 P.M.
Located Off Route 41 - Lancaster Ave. Op
posite Turkey Hill Minit Market - Cross RR
Bridge.
SELLING COMPLETE HOUSEHOLD OF
CHRISTIAN HERSHEY, Kinzers
Round oak extension table; oval glass china closet; old
blanket chest; nice glassware, etc.
IRA STOLTZFUS & SON, Auctioneers
442-4936 or 442-8254
CONDUCTORS ALL TYPES PUBLIC SALES
BRED HOLSTEIN
HEIFER SALE
FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 26,1974
7:45 P.M.
LOCATION - TURBOTVILLE, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY,
TWENTY-FIVE [251 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WILLIAMSPORT, TWELVE
(12] MILES NORTHWEST OF DANVILLE. JUST OFF ROUTE 54
50 Heifers 16 Registered, 34 High-Grade,
45 due August, September and October -
Balance due Later.
SELLING Registered Daughters of Lucky
Typeblazer, UNH Admiral, Carnation First
Million, Ivanhoe Dandy, Arlmda Chief Jupiter,
Leader Ideal, Ivanhoe Royal, Transmitter, Oak
Ridges Improver - Grade Daughters of R. Maple,
Nunesdale High Mark, Skagvale Supreme.
Selling daughters of dams with DHIA records
of nearly 19,000 pounds milk and 700 pounds
fat.
PREGNANCY EXAMINED HEALTH CHARTS
LUNCH —VISITORS WELCOME
LEWIS BROWN,
OWNER
DILLER and KREIDER, Auctioneers
TERMS —CASH
Starting Time 12:00 Noon
MERTON W. McCOY
WM. W. McCOY
Load Lots Small Lots
PHONE 717—394-2611
T. G KREIDER
EOW. L. BROWN
S. L HEILBRON & SONS
37