The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
• Cl AGRICULTURAL NEWS OF THE WEEK -llll .,I· ----FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS Number 690 Wednesday, March 20, 1963 FARM LABOR FORCE SMALLEST IN OVER 50 YEARS The number of workers on the Nation's farms in late February 1963 was the smallest in over 50 years, according to the Statistical Reporting Service. At an estimated 5 million, the number is 3% fewer than a year earlier and 10% below the 5-year (1957-61) average for the month. In the states of the Eleventh Federal Reserve District (Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas), the farm labor force in late February totaled approximately 575,000, or 7% below both a year ago and the 5-year average for the month. S EED 0 F NEW SORGHUM HYBRIDS AVAILABLE Certified seed of four ~ dwarf grain sorghum hybrids is available from seed firms for planting this year, reports the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The new hybrids - designated as RS 616, RS 621, RS 622, and RS 623 - have improved resistance to lodging and head smut. These varieties have been recommended for Texas, and preliminary tests indicate that they may also be well adapted to other sorghum-producing areas. L I vE BORDER S E I Z E D AT MEXICAN BR0 0 CHE S " Large numbers of decorated live beetles, to be worn as costume jewelry, are being intercepted at the Mexican border, according to the USDA. Importation of live insect pests is restricted, because they may escape and start damaging infestations in crops, forests, or ornamentals. The two species of beetles most commonly used for "live brooches" are reported to feed on woodj they are not known to be present in the United States at this time. II S 0 IL YOUR KNOW The story of soil surveys and how they are used for a wide variety of both agricultural and nonagricultural purposes is explored in Know Your Soil, an illustrated 16-page publication recently issued by the USDA's Soil Conser:Y'ation Service. In addition to farmers and ranchers, some of the frequent users of soil information cited in the publication are land appraisers, realtors, builders, engineers, city planners, foresters, nurserymen, canners, pipeline manufacturers, and insurance companies. Single copies of Know Your Soil may be obtained, without charge, from the Office of Information, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C. NE W ME X I C 0 C0 UNT I E S DE CL ARED S CAB I E S - F RE E The USDA recently declared nine New Mexico counties scabies-free in the drive against sheep scabies - a highly contagious skin disease caused by a parasitic mite. The nine counties are Bernalillo, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Quay, Roosevelt, Socorro, Torrance, and Valencia. USDA FOOD DONATIONS RISE USDA food donations at home and abroad totaled nearly 2.4 billion lbs. during the first half (July-December 1962) of the current fiscal year. According to the USDA, this volume is 4% larger than in the corresponding period a year earlier. L I VE S T 0 C K An estimated 4,100 head of cattle were received at Fort Worth during the week ended Thursday, March 14, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. The figure is 100 above a week earlier but is 500 below a year ago. Trading on slaugh ter steers and heifers was slow throughout the week. Prices declined on Monday and then held unchanged during the remainder of the trading period. Thursday quotations for slaughter steers were mainly 50¢ to 75¢ per cwt. lower than the preceding week ' s close. Good 725- to 1,100-lb. slaughter steers sold at $20.50 to $22.50 per cwt., and Utility and Commercial cows brought $1~- to $16.50. Feeder cattle prices were mostly steady to 50¢ per cwt. lower, with Good 500- to 700-lb. steers quoted at $20.50 to $24. The calf supply totaled about 650, compared with 850 in the previous week and 600 during the corresponding period in 1962. Prices for slaughter calves weighing under 500 lbs. were steady. Good grades of killing calves were quoted at $23 to $24 per cwt., and feeder steer calves brought $22 to $26. Hog marketings of approximately 1,850 reflected gains of 48% over a week ago and 12~ver a year earlier. Trading was rather uneven, and closing prices f or barrows and gilts were weak to 50¢ per cwt. lower than on the preceding Thursday. The majority of the mixed U. S. No. 1 through No. 3 Grades of 190- to 255-lb. but chers sold at $14 to $15 per cwt. Sheep and lamb receipts are placed at 8,ooo, compared with 6,800 a week earlier and 13,100 a year ago. Trading was rather slow at the ope~ing but was moderately active thereafter. Closing quotations for slaughter lambs were steady t o 50¢ per cwt. lower than on the previous Thursday; prices for other classes held mostly steady. Good and Choice 85- to 103-lb. shorn slaughter lambs with No. 1 and fall-shorn pelts cleared at $17 to $17.50 per cwt. POULTRY Commercial broiler markets opened weaker in south Texas and steady i n east Texas during the week~ Friday, March 15, reports the State Department of Agriculture. The south Texas market became steady on Tuesday, and markets in both areas remained steady throughout most o~ the week. At Friday's close, the market in s outh Texas was fully steady, but that in east Texas had weakened slightly. Closing pr ice s in south Texas were 16¢ to 16.2¢ per lb., and those in east Texas ranged from 15 ¢ to 16¢. During the corresponding period in 1962, the closing quotation in south Texas was 17.5¢, and prices in east Texas ranged from 16¢ to 17.3¢. Texas commercial broiler markets were slightly weaker on Monday, March 18. Quotations per lb. were: South Texas, 15.5¢ to 15.9¢; and east Texas, 14.5'¢tc)°15:°6¢. BROILER CHICK PLACEMENTS Percent change f rom Comparable Previous week week, 1962 Area Week ended March 9, 1963 Texas •••.•. Louisiana .• 2,657,000 516_,ooo 10 -2 -12 22 states •. 39,745,000 4 -6 -3
@FedFRASER