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AGRICULTURAL NEWS OF THE WEEK FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS Wednesday, December 13, 1961 Number 624 BE DE DI CAT E D D I S E A S E LABORATORY T 0 ANIMAL Secretary of Agriculture Freeman is scheduled to dedicate the u. s. Department of Agriculture's new $16.5 million National Animal Disease Laboratory at ~' Iowa, on December 14. The laboratory - consisting of 33 buildings - is designed for basic and applied studies of the principal infectious animal diseases prevalent in the United States. The USDA installation will enable scientists to find new ways of conquering livestock and poultry diseases, which now cost the Nation's consumers and producers $1.4 billion annually. When fully staffed, the laboratory will employ approximately 500 persons. INCOME FARM Cash receipts from farm marketings in the states of the Eleventh Federal Reserve District (Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) during J1!.nuary-October 1961 totaled $3.l billion, reflecting a 5% gain over the corresponding period last year, according to the Economic Research Service. Receipts from crops were up 6%, and those from livestock and livestock products were 3% larger. F E ED GRAI N E X P 0 R T S RE DUCE D feed grain exports during the first guarter of the 1961-62 fiscal year (which began July 1, 1961) were an estimated 2.2 million tons, reflecting a 17% decrease from the corresponding period last year, reports the Foreign Agricultural Service, Shipments to most of the Western European markets and Japan were smaller, while those to Canada, Latin America, and Africa were larger. Exports of corn were above those in July-September 1960, but shipments of oats, barley, and sorghums declined. u. s. C H I C K E N P U R C H A S E PROGRAM COMPLETED On December 7, the USDA announced that by use of funds appropriated under the National School ~ ~' it had purchased 930,000 lbs, of frozen, cut-up young chickens. At the same time, the Department announced completion of the chicken purchase program, which began on July 19, Total purchases under the program amounted to 37.7 million lbs., at a cost of approximately $10.9 million, WH A T ' S H A P P E N E D T 0 0 U R T R A D E WI T H C U B A ? "What Has Happened to Our Trade With Cuba? is the title of an article in the December issue of the Foreign Agriculture magazine, The article points out that Cu ba's agricultural imports from the United States during the past 2 years have declined from $66,5 million in the first half of 1959 to $9.5 million during the corr esponding period of 1961, Cuba's exports of raw sugar to the United States decreased from $349 million in 1959 to $235 million in 1960 and to zero during the first 6 months of the current year. 11 F L AXS E E D CR 0 P W0 R L D S MA L L E R The Foreign Agricultural Service estimates world flaxseed production in 1961 at 112.7 million bushels, or almost one-tenth less than in the preceding year, Although 2% above the 1950-54 average, the 1961 output is the smallest world flaxseed crop since 1953. Most of the decrease from 1960 is the result of substantially reduced outturns in the United States and Canada, which were only partially offset by larger crops in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. L I VE S T 0 CK z, The f.2.!i Worth cattle supply during the week ended Thursday, December is placed at approximately 6,000 head, representing decreases of 15% from a week ago and 21% from a year earlier, points out the Agricultural Marketing Service. Trading was fairly active most of the week, and closing prices were steady with those on the preceding Thursday. High-Standard and lowMGood 805- to 1,060-lb. slaughter steers cleared at $23.50 to $24,25 per cwt., and Utility and Conunercial cows brought $14,50 to $17.50. Compared with a week earlier, closing quotations on stocker and feeder steers were strong to $1 higher. Good 750· to 900-lb. feeder steers sold at $21.50 to $22.90. At an estimated 1,300, calf receipts were about the same as a week ago but 32% fewer than during the corresponding period in 1960. Good slaughter calves sold at $23,50 to $25, and prices for Good and Choice 250· to 500-lb, stocker steer calves ranged from $23 to $28.90, A total of 1,500 hogs was received at Fort Worth during the week ended December 7, compared with 1,300 in the precedins week and 1,600 a year ago, Quotes on barrows and gilts were strong to 50¢ higher than at the previous Thursday's close , u. s. No. 1 through No. 3 Grades of 190- to 265-lb, butchers cleared at $16 to $16. 75· Sheep and lamb offerings totaled approximately 8,500, or slightly below the week-earlier figure but 55% above the comparable period last year. Trading developed very slowly on Monday but was rather active thereafter. Prices were 25¢ to mostly 50¢ lower than on the previous Thursday, with Good and Choice ·75. to 105lb. wooled and shorn slaughter lambs with no, 1 through No. 3 pelts quoted at $15 to $15,75, POULTRY During the ~ ended Friday, December Q, conunercial broiler markets opened stronger in south~ and unsettled in east Texas, reports the State Department o f Agriculture, Markets in both areas became firm during the latter part of the week and closed with a strong undertone. Closing prices were 16¢ per lb. in south Texas and 15,5¢ to 17,1¢ in east Texas. During the corresponding period in 1960, closing quotations were also 16¢ in south Texas; the weighted average price in east Texas was 16,2¢, On Monday, December .ll, commercial broiler markets in south Texas were stronger pricewise, while those in east Texas were unsettled. Quotations were: South Texas, 17¢ to 18¢, mainly 17¢; and east Texas, 16,5¢ to 17,8¢. Area BROILER CHICK PLACEMENTS Week ended December 22 1901 Percent change from Previous Comparable week week 2 1960 () Texas •••••• Louisiana,. 1,956,000 399,000 12 -2 7 22 states •• 31 639 000 5 3 (.)
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