This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 9 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Mexico Ledger
Location
Mexico, Missouri, United States of America
Date
Jun 16, 1977
Page
4
Washington AP reports that 1977 winter wheat production could reach about 1.53 billion bushels with spring plantings potentially adding 500 million, pushing total output above two billion for a third straight bumper year. June 1 stocks stood at 1.1 billion, the highest in 14 years.
The National Farmers Union reports talk of a 20 percent wheat land set aside for 1978 to qualify for federal price supports. Officials say no formula is decided, but speculation grows as prices fall from over 5 dollars to about 2.29 per bushel by May 15. Exports lag, domestic use remains steady, and world competition plus large harvests threaten further price declines.
A sharp increase in farm terracing has occurred in Missouri with miles of terraces rising from 460 in 1973 to 1220 in 1976. University of Missouri engineer James Steichen cites higher land values allowing farmers to terrace more easily and improved terrace design boosting farmability as key factors. Terracing helps conserve soil and reduce pollution amid concerns over sediment from cropland and nonpoint sources.
The Agriculture Department says consumer dairy prices will rise 4 to 5 percent in 1977, with retail prices reflecting higher wholesale costs. Farmers may increase milk output by 2 to 3 percent as production reached about 117.3 billion pounds last year. Officials note higher supports may curb declines in output despite stronger cheese and beef prices.
Agriculture Department plans to begin buying barrel cheese to lift farm milk prices to the government price support level. It will end purchases of processed cheese, which failed to sustain market and farm prices, and shift to barrel cheese at 95 cents per pound, aligning with the milk support.
Six of ten hired farm workers are under 25, says the Agriculture Department. Last year about 59 percent of the hired farm labor force was 14 to 25 years old, roughly the same as in 1975, per the department's Economic Research Service on Monday.
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association reports 9.1 per cent rise in 1976 farm power use despite higher bills. Residential sales up 6 per cent, industrial 12 per cent, irrigation up 35 per cent. Rural distributors paid 24 per cent more for wholesale energy, driving retail rates about 10 per cent higher. Agriculture Dept noted average farm bills $43.70 monthly, up 24 per cent since mid-1975.
University of Missouri dairy expert Fred Meinershagen says silage from grasses and legumes can be top quality feed. He advises cutting grasses in the boot stage and legumes in late bud to early bloom, wilting to about 65 percent moisture, and rapid, proper filling and covering to prevent losses.
Price data from the Agriculture Department show farmer inputs for crops and livestock largely steady from April 15 to May 15. Energy costs edged up one percent in the month and remain about ten percent higher than a year ago. Fertilizer prices have nearly leveled off.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.