Read it Again: Week of November 14, 2002

80 years ago this week. The average rate of wages of U.S. male farm labor Oct. 1 was $28.97 a month, with board. The average in 1921 was $30.14.

W.S. McBane of East Liverpool had the highest testing Guernsey in October in the official cow test association. Lady C of Mara Alva produced 1,005.6 pounds of milk and 58.32 pounds of butterfat, and a test of 5.80 percent. Salem area milk producer Seth P. Scott’s Dolly led the Jersey production at 1,183.3 pounds of milk, testing 4.87, and 55.72 pounds of butterfat.

50 years ago this week. Two points of attack for the dairy industry in combating imitation dairy products were outlined at the National Milk Producers Federation’s 36th annual convention.

“Everywhere we find evidence and publicity testifying to the value of milk solids, but on butterfat we are miles behind,” said A.L. McWilliams, general manager of Pure Milk Association. “There should be no reluctance on the part of the dairy industry to meet the challenge thrown down by the imitators; the claim, for example, that oleo is even more nutritious than butter.

“Retail prices are one of our big problems, even though a recent Chicago survey shows that nearly everybody prefers real dairy products to substitutions. There are only two places to get price reductions – in the farm price or in the distribution. We know we cannot give the farmer less, because at today’s price, we are not even maintaining milk production.

“There is a very definite trend in the promotion of large containers at lower prices.”

25 years ago this week. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland said an estimated $1.2 billion in 1977 crop deficiency payments will be paid to wheat producers across the country. Bergland estimates payment will be 65 cents a bushel of wheat planted within the allotment acres on a historical basis. If the full allotment was not planted, 22 cents per bushel will be paid for the balance.

Payments will go to an estimated two million producers. Ohio will get just over $1.5 million for 1.58 million acres planted. Pennsylvania gets $423,000.