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AGRICULTURAL NEWS OF THE WEEK
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS

Number 786

Wednesday, January 20, 1965

SCREWWORM
PROGRAM
I S
S UCCE S S F UL
Screwworm eradication officials are looking forward to another successful
year for the program in 1965, according to Texas A&M University. Only 65 Texas counties were reported to be infested by the livestock pest in 1964, and only 223 cases
were discovered. In 1963, a total of 4,916 infestations was detected in 182 counties;
in 1962, a total of 49,484 cases occurred in 242 counties. New Mexico had only 14
outbreaks in 1964, compared with nearly 1,500 the preceding year. Oklahoma, Arkansas,
and Louisiana had no infestations during 1964. Eradication activities have reduced
annual losses to southwestern livestock.men from an estimated $100 million to less
than $1 million since the program began in 1962.
BUMPER
W0 R L D
R I C E CR 0 P
I N P R0 S P E CT
For the second successive year, world rice supplies are expected to reach
record levels, points out the Foreign Agricultural Service. Excluding Communist
Asia, world rice production is forecast at 164.1 million tonsJ rough rice, compared
with the 1963-64 peak of 162.6 million tons and the 1962-63 outturn of 153.4 million
tons.
In AsiaJ where 88% of the world's rice is produced, output is expected to
approximate the record 144.4 million tons of 1963-64 and is 8 million tons above the
previous peak in 1961-62. Other important growers - such as the United States, the
United Arab Republic, and Communist China (not included in the Asian total) - are
also producing outstanding rice crops this year.
FEED
MORE
CATTLE
0 N
TEXAS
The number of cattle being fed for slaughter market in Texas on January 1,
1965, totaled an estimated 488,000 head, reflecting a~ gain over both a month ago
and a year earlierJ according to the Statistical Reporting Service. Feedlots with
a capacity of 1,000 and over held 438,000 cattle being fattened for slaughter market. Of the 234 large feedlots, 82% had cattle on feed as of January 1. The 234
feedlots with a reported capacity of 805,200 head showed a 54% occupancy. Lots of
less than lJOOO capacity held 50JOOO cattle, or 14% below a year earlier.
Texas feedlot operators have reported intentions to market 290,000 cattle
(excluding short-fed animals) between January 1 and March 31:" This figure would be
59% of the number on feed at the beginning of the year and 1% less than the number
marketed (including short-fed animals) during the first quarter of 1964.
BENEFICIAL
LIVESTOCK
WATERERS
Automatic electric livestock waterers can save time and prevent trouble
for stockmen, say Agricultural Engineers with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Use of these waterers can (1) eliminate ice chopping and frozen water lines,
(2) reduce labor costs, and (3) improve feed efficiency.
FARM
LABOR
The average number of all U. S. farm workers in the 12 monthly survey
periods of 1964 declined to a new low level'()f 6.1 million persons, or 6% below
1963, points out the SRS. The number of farm family workers averaged 4.5 million
persons - 5% below the year-earlier figure. The number of hired farm workers for
the 12 periods averaged 1.6 million, which is 10% under 1963 and a new low level.

L I VE S T 0 CK
Cattle marketings at Fort Worth during the week ended 'Ihursday, January
14, are placed at 4,600, or about the same as a week ago but 44% above the yearearlier level. According to the Agricultural Marketing Service, slaughter steers
sold at prices which were 25¢ to 50¢ per cwt. lower than on the preceding Thursday.
Good. 850- to 1, 205-lb. slaughter steers brought $19 to $22 per cwt., and the bulk
of the Utility and Commercial cm-rn cleared at $12 to $13.50. Closing quotations
for feeder steers and heifers were mostly steady with the week-earlier prices; Good
and Choice 475- to 700-lb. feeder yearling steers sold at $19.30 to $20 per cwt.
Calf offerings of about 1,525 were 75 more than in the previous week and
more than double the year-earlier figure. Quotations for slaughter calves were
mainly 50¢ per cwt. lower than a week ago. Good grades of killing calves weighing
up to 575 lbs. brought $17 to $19.50 per cwt., and mixed Good and Choice 245- to
475-lb. stocker steer calves cleared at $19 to $21.90.
The hog supply of 825 was about unchanged from a week ago and was 3% below the corresponding 1964 period. Trading was · fairly active, but prices fluctuated.
Thursday quotations were steady to 25¢ per cwt. higher than the preceding week's
close. The majority of the week's supply of U. S. No. 1 through No. 3 Grades of
195- to 265-lb. butchers were quoted at $16 to $16.25 per cwt.
Sheep and lamb receipts of approximately 1,450 were down moderately from
the preceding week and were only about one-third of the year-earlier offerings.
Demand was broad each day, and prices were fully steady. The bulk of the Good and
Choice 58- to 80-lb. shorn slaughter lambs with No. 1 through No. 3 pelts sold at
$18 to $20.50 per cwt.
POULTRY
For the week ended Friday, January 15, the principal Texas commercial
broiler markets opened stronger, reflecting price increases in other states toward
the end of the preceding week. The Texas markets became steady as the week progressed, and the undertone was firm at Friday's close, according to the State Department of Agriculture. The closing quotation per lb. in south Texas was 14¢,
and east Texas prices ranged from 13¢ to 14.5¢. During the corresponding 1964
pericd, closing quotations in south Texas were 13.5¢ to 14.5¢, and those in east
Texas ranged from 12¢ to 14.5¢.
'Ihe major Texas commercial broiler markets were stronger on Monday,
January 18. Prices per lb. were 15.5¢ in south Texas and 14.2¢ to 15.2¢ in east
Texas. -

BROILER CHICK
PLACEMENTS

Percent change from
Previous
Comparable
week
week, 1964

Area

Week ended
January 9, 1965

Texas ......
Louisiana ..

2,487,000
587,000

-4

-8

-8
0

23 states ..

L~o, 756, 000

0

4