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AGRICULTURAL NEWS OF THE WEEK FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS Number 567 •k ·k "/( * "/: ** Wednesday, November 9, 1960 "J'c N 0 * "J'( v ,~ * "1: * "/( -;"( E M B E R * * * * * * * * * * * * * "/( "';~ 1 8 ic ';'( ,~ * ***** ** -2 4 I s F ARM- * "J'c *** "i'c •/( ** -,'( ';'( "J°c * * * •k ';'( 'I< c ';'( ,., * **** * * "J'c I T y ** 'le wE E ,., ** K ')'( ,., -;'( . I * * * * -Jc * * * *•k * U S DA T 0 ST U D Y S P R E A D 0 F ANIMAL D I S E AS E S The Q. ~· Department £i Agriculture has named a special task force to study the spread of Salmonella and other disease-causing organisms among poultry and livestock caused by the interstate movement of animal by-products. Following the investigation, which will also study resultant economic losses, the group will recommend any additional safeguards needed to prevent the spread of poultry and livestock diseases across state and territorial lines. The public is asked to submit any pert~ information and views, in writing, during November and December 1960, to the Director, Animal Disease Eradication Division, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C. GU I DE S F 0 R SPRING V E G E T A B L E S AND MELONS The ~ recently recommended a 4% increase in the national acreage of 1961-crop spring vegetables for fresh market and a 6% increase in 1961 spring melon acreage. The guides cover the 17 major spring vegetables and two spring melon crops that will be marketed for fresh use, mainly during April, May, and June of 1961. These acreage-marketing guides are designed to assist growers in planning production of crops. The USDA points out that, if production is in line with these guides for the coming season and if harvests follow a normal time-pattern, supplies of these vegetables and melons should be in balance with requirements at satisfactory price levels. F AT S A ND 0 I L S The total Q. i· supply of edible fats, oils, and oilseeds during the 1960-61 marketing year (which began October 1) is forecast at 14.1 billion lbs. (oil equivalent of oilseeds). This supply is only 0.1 billion lb. less than the record quantity available in the preceding marketing season. According to the Agricultural Marketing Service, smaller stocks at the beginning of the current marketing year - particularly of soybeans - account for the reduced supply of fats and oils, since output is expected to be slightly higher than in 1959-60. W0 R L D B R E A D G R A I N C R 0 P NE AR RE C 0 R D The 1960 world output of bread grains (wheat and rye) is placed at approximately 291 million tons, according to preliminary estimates of the Foreign Agricultural Service. This quantity is slightly larger than in the preceding year and is only 4% below the all-time record of 1958. Wheat accounted for the increase in the 1960 world bread grain outturn as compared with a year earlier, since wheat production in both the United States and Canada was~ as a result of higher yields. L I VE S T 0 CK The Fort Worth cattle ~ during the ~ ended Thursday, November 1, was an estimated 12,300, or only slightly above the week-earlier level but more than double the year ago supply. According to the AMS, both slaughter steers and stockers and feeders sold at prices which were steady to mainly 50¢ per cwt. higher than at the preceding week's close. Mixed Good and Choice 965- to 1,165-lb. slaughter steers brought $23.50 to $23.75; Utility and Commercial cows, $13.50 to $16; and Good and Choice 510- to 650-lb. stocker steer yearlings, $22 to $24.50. The calf supply of approximately 2,600 was up 300 head from a week ago but was down 100 from the corresponding period of 1959. Trading was active, and prices advanced 50¢ to $1 over the preceding week's close. Good and Choice Grades of slaughter calves were quoted at $21 to $23, and 280- to 500-lb. stocker steer calves brought $23 to $27.80. Hog receipts are placed at 1,800, compared with 1,600 in the previous week and 2,700 a year earlier. Thursday quotations were mostly 25¢ higher than a week ago; mixed u. S. No, 1 through No. 3 Grades of 180- to 250-lb. barrows and gilts cleared at $17 to $17.25. Sheep !.!15! lamb offerings were about 7,000, reflecting declines of 10% from the preceding week and 7% under the corresponding period of 1959. Trading on slaughter lambs was slow, and prices declined in line with decreases at Corn Belt markets and a downward trend on the dressed lamb market. Quotations for Good and Choice 80- to 100-lb. wooled and shorn animals with No. 1 and 2 pelts ranged from $15.50 to $17. P 0 UL T R Y During the week ended Friday, November ~, commercial broiler markets opened slightly weaker in east Texas and steady in south Texas, reports the State Department of Agriculture.----pri~n east Texas co~e~decline through Thursday but were about steady at the close. Friday quotations were 16¢ per lb. in south Texas and 14~¢ to 15.1¢ in east Texas (26% of the sales in the latter area were at undetermined levels). During the corresponding period last year, closing prices were: South Texas, 14~¢, with a few lower and higher; and east Texas, 14~. Friday offerings at the Southwest Poultry Exchange totaled 68,600 broilers, which sold at 15.2¢ to 15.6¢ (farm producers absorbed all rejected birds). The south Texas commercial broiler market remained steady on Tuesday, November~. In~ Texas, offerings and supplies were adequate, and movement was about normal. Prices were 16¢ per lb. in south Texas and 14~¢ to 15.6¢ in east Texas, although 30% of the sales in the latter area were at undetermined quotes. BROILER CHICK PLACEMENTS Percentage increase from Previous Comparable week week, 1959 Area Week ended October 29, 1960 Texas •••••• Louisiana •• 1,660,000 341,000 1 11 4 22 states •• 2820682000 1 9 3