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AGRICULTURAL NEWS OF THE WEEK FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS Number 820 Wednesday, September 15, 1965 ****************************************** * * L I v I NG " L E A R N I N G F 0 R * * * * SEPTEMBER I S 25 - 0 C T 0 B E R 2 * * ** NATIONAL 4-H CLUB WEEK! ** * * ****************************************** II SCREWWORM INCREASE FEARED During the coming months, Texas farmers and ranchers may encounter the most severe increase in screwworm infestations in their livestock in 2 years, warns Texas A&M University. Screwworm eradication leaders report that the following conditions for another fall buildup are present in the State: (1) a native fly population, (2) favorable weather, and (3) a large number of animal wounds. Eradication forces are prepared to combat, with sterile flies, all infestations reported to them. Larvae from suspected infestations should be sent to the eradication laboratory at Mission, Texas, or to local county agricultural agents for positive identification. stockmen are also urged to be extremely cautious in working their livestock and to apply smears or sprays to all wounds. c 0 ws FEWER MILK The number of milk cows on the Nation's farms in June 1965 totaled an estimated 15.6 million head. The June figure represents a de'Crease from a year earlier, which is a slightly faster rate of decline than was reported in mid-June of 1964, according to the Economic Research Service. For the states of the Eleventh Federal Reserve District (Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas), the June milk cow inventory is placed at 949,000, reflecting a 5% decrease from a year earlier. 3% MILLION RURAL HOUSING LOANS TOTAL 1 3 3 Nearly 1 ,OOO rural families in the United States borrowed more than $133 million in Farmers Home Administration loans during the 1965 fiscal year (which ended June 30), announced Secretary of Agriculture Freemari. Included in the loans were $7.6 million in borrowings for construction and improvement of individual senior citizens homes (an increase of 26% over the previous fiscal year) and another $2.0 million for construction of rental units for senior citizens in rural communities. The 1965 figure brought to more than $546.7 million the total amount that has been borrowed by over 60,000 rural families in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands since the FHA loan program was expanded 4 years ago. B 0 LL WEEVIL FIGHT C0 NT I NUE S The second phase of a cooperative campaign to halt the westward spread of the boll weevil in the Texas High Plains cotton-producing area began last week, reports the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The campaign was started in 1964 with the multiple treatment of 294,000 acres of land near Lubbock, Texas. Surveys indicate that the treatment area may be reduced to about 250,000 acres in 1965 as a result of the eradication effort and effective in-season control by cotton growers. The treatment will again involve the use of undiluted malathion applied by aircraft at the rate of 16 ounces per acre. LIVESTOCK Cattle and calf marketings at Fort Worth decreased during the week ended Thursday, September 9, but receipts of other classes of livestock advanced, points out the Consumer and Marketing Service. The cattle run, at an estimated 4,400, reflected decreases of 10% from the previous week and 15% from the corresponding 1964 period. Trading generally was moderately active. Thursday quotations for slaughter steers were steady with the preceding week's close. Good and Choice 765- to 935-lb. slaughter steers brought ~~22 to $25. 70 per cwt., and Utility and Commercial cows cleared at $14 to $16.50. Prices for feeder yearling steers were mostly steady, with mixed Good and Choice 500- to 725-lb. animals quoted at $23.50 to $24.50 per cwt. Calf receipts totaled approximately 1,700, compared with 1,875 a week ago and 1,325 a year earlier. Slaughter calf prices were steady to 50¢ per cwt. higher than on the previous Thursday. Good grades of killing calves weighing up to 565 lbs. brought $21.50 to $23.10 per cwt., and quotations for 300- to 500-lb. stocker steer calves ranged from $21.25 to $25. The hog supply was about 900 head, or 50 more than in the preceding week and 225 larger than in the corresponding period last year. Closing prices for barrows and gilts were 50¢ to 75¢ per cwt. lower than a week ago. The majority of the mixed lots of U. S. No. 1 through No. 3 Grades of 195- to 260-lb. butchers cleared at ~)22. 25 to $22. 50 per cwt. Sheep and lamb offerings are placed at 2,700, representing gains of 35% over the previouS-Week and 17% over a year earlier. Demand was broad for most offerings, and prices held fully steady. The bulk of the Good and Choice 70- to 101-lb. slaughter spring lambs sold at $20 to $22 per cwt. POULTRY For the week ended Friday, September 10, the major Texas commercial broiler-fryer markets opened steady and then remained steady throughout the rest of the trading period, reports the state Department of Agriculture. Interest following the Labor Day weekend was irregular and slowed as the trading period progressed. At Friday's close, the undertone was unsettled in both south and east Texas. Closing prices were 15.5¢ per lb. in south Texas and 14.2¢ to 14.5¢ in east Texas. During the corresponding 1964 period, closing quotations in south Texas were 14.5¢ to 15¢ per lb., and those in east Texas ranged from 13.5¢ to 14.8¢. On Monday, September 13, commercial broiler markets were weaker in south Texas and fully steady in east Texas. Prices per lb. were reported to be 15¢ in south Texas and 14.2¢ to 14.5¢ in east Texas. Area BROILER CHICK PLACEMENTS Week ended September 4z 1965 Percent change from Previous Comparable week week, 1964 Texas .••••• Louisiana •• 2,752,000 616,000 3 1 28 16 23 states .. 43z607z000 0 18
