The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
AGRICULTURAL NEWS OF THE WEEK FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS Number 703 Wednesday, June 19, 1963 USE OF DETERGENTS USE FAR 0 F S 0 AP EXCEEDS Although the combined usage of soap and synthetic detergents has remained at about 27 lbs. per capita annually since World War II, the use of synthetics nmr far exceeds that of soap, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The use of soap declined from 24 lbs. per capita in 1947 to only 6 lbs. in 1962, while the use of synthetic detergents increased from 3 lbs. per person to an all-time high of 21 lbs. during the period. Output of synthetic detergents totaled an estimated 4.0 billion lbs. in 1962, or about 6% above the preceding year. Soap production, at 1.2 billion lbs., was approximately unchanged from the 1961 outturn but otherwise was the lowest of record. P R 0 CE S S I NG FEWER VEGETABLES F 0 R The acreage planted to the nine principal vegetable crops for commercial processing in the United States this year is estimated by the Statistical Reporting Service at 1.5 million acres, or 7% less than the acreage planted to these crops in 1962 and 3% below the 1957-61 average. Supplies of spring vegetables and melons for the fresh market are placed at 52. 5 million cwt. (up 5% from last year), and the volume Of"early summer vegetables and melons for the fresh market is estimated at 31.1 million cwt. (down 2°/o from 1962). P R0 DUCT I 0 N MEAT Output of red meat in the Nation during January-April 1963 totaled 9,707 million lbs., or 5% above the corresponding 4 months of last year. According to the SRS, production of beef was up 6°/o; veal, down 8%; pork, up 7%; and lamb and mutton., down 7%. WORLD FLAXSEED PRODUCTION World flaxseed output in 1962, at an estimated 131 million bu., was about one-tenth larger than the preceding-year's small outturn,according tothe Foreign Agricultural Service. Moreover, the crop was the largest since 1956 and was almost equal to the 1955-59 average. The United States, Argentina, Canada, and India accounted for almost threefourths of the 1962 flaxseed production and for 88% o:rthe gain over 1961. The increased production in the United States was responsible for nearly three-fourths of the total gain, but all important producing countries, except possibly the USSR, harvested more flaxseed in 1962 than a year earlier. AND FATS 0 I L S The annual total domestic disappearance of fats and oils in the United States has averaged around 69 lbs. per person in recent years, according to the Economic Research Service. -Use-0f f"OOd fats has averaged approximately 45 lbs. per person, accounting for about two-thirds of the total fats and oils consumed each year in this country. In the food category, reduced consumption of butter and lard has been offset by increased usage of margarine, shortening, and edible oils. In the nonfood grouping, reduced use of fats and oils in soap and drying oil products (paints, Yarnishes, floor coverings, printing inks, etc.) offset increases in other industrial products. L I VE S T 0 CK Fort Worth marketings of all classes of livestock during the week ended Thursday, ~ 13, were above the preceding week, according to the AgriCU'Itural Marketing Service. At an estimated 4,400, the cattle supply compares with 4,200 a week ago and 5,300 a year earlier. Demand was broad for most classes of cattle, and Thursday quotations generally were fully steady with the previous week's close. The bulk of the mostly Good slaughter steers and yearlings, including 740- to 1,160lb. averages, cleared at $21. 75 to $22. 50 per cwt., and Utility and Commercial cows brought $15 to $16.50. Demand for feeder cattle was broad, and closing prices for yearling feeder steers were 50¢ to $1 per cwt. higher than a week earlier, with Good 550- to 750-lb. animals quoted at $21.75 to $25. The calf run of approximately 1,150 reflects gains of 28% over the preceding week and 4~ver-the corresponding period in 1962. Slaughter calves continued to sell at fully steady prices. Good grades of killing calves sold at $23 to $25 per cwt., and Good and Choice feeder steer calves weighing around 350 lbs. brought $30 to $33. Hog receipts are placed at 1,600, or 150 more than a week earlier and 100 above a year ago. Thursday prices for barrows and gilts were fully steady to 50¢ per cwt. higher than the previous week's close. The majority of the week's supply of mixed lots of U. S. No. 1 through No. 3 Grades of 190- to 250-lb. butchers cleared at $16.50 to $17.25 per cwt. Sheep and lamb offerings totaled an estimated 10,300, or slightly more than a wee'k"ea'rlier bU't""sharply below the comparable period last year. Closing quotations were 50¢ to $1 per cwt. lower than in the preceding week, with the bulk of the Good and Choice 69- to 87-lb. wooled spring lambs quoted at $20 to $22 per cwt. POULTRY During the week ended Friday, June 14, the major Texas commercial broiler markets opened about stea"dy and then weakeried"'°'Slightly on Tuesday, reports the State Department of Agriculture. The market in east Texas experienced gradual price declines throughout the remainder of the trading period, while the quotation in south Texas held at 14.5¢ per lb. At Friday's close, the undertone was unsettled in both areas. Trading during the week ranged from light to normal. The closing price in south Texas was 14.5¢ per lb., and quotations in east Texas ranged from 12¢ to 13.5¢. During the corresponding period in 1962, the price in south Texas was 14¢, and quotes in east Texas were 12.9¢ to 13.2¢. On Monday, June 17, commercial broiler markets were weaker in south Texas and steady in east TexaB':'" -Prices per lb. were: South Texas, 13.5¢j and east Texas, 12¢ to 13.5¢. Area BROILER CHICK PLACEMENTS Week ended June 8, 1963 Percent change from Comparable Previous week week, 1962 Texas ..••.. Louisiana .. 3,096,000 666,ooo -2 4 2 38 22 states .. 4L~, 208, 000 -1 5
@FedFRASER