SECOND
SECTION
Vol. XXXVI
John Day Valley Ranger PAGES
1 to 8
JOHN DAY, ORE., FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1936
REPORT OF THE
Grant County Agricultural
Economic Conference
Conducted in
Canyon City, Oregon, March 19 & 20,1936
No. 31
GRANT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
Page 2
7k-.
I
Economic Conference Committees
CROPS
CATTLE
C. W. Craddock, Chairman
Jack French, Vice-Chairman
E. L. Potter, Head of Dept of
Agricultural Economics.
SHEEP
James Cant, Chairman
Frank Oliver, Vice-Chairman
D. E. Richards, Supt. Eastern
Oregon Experiment Station.
SOILS AND IRRIGATION
George Yokom, chairman
A. Begg, vice-chairman
Arthur King, Soils and Irrigation Extension Specialist.
George E. Barry, chairman
Frank French, vice-chairman
E. R. Jackman, Farm Crops
Extension Specialist.
DAIRY, POULTRY & HOGS
Walter Campbell, Chairman
P. J. KuhI, Vice-'Chairman
P. M. Brandt, Head of Dept. of
Animal Husbaxidry.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
Wayne Stewart, chairman
George Gilbert, Vice-Chairman
Paul Carpenter, Extension
Economist in Marketing.
GENERAL COMMITTEE
J. S. Guttridge, Chairman
Ralph Brooks, Secretary
Herman OUver, John Day
C. W. Craddock, Silvies
Joseph W. Officer, Izee
Wayne Stewart, Dayville
Sidney Green, Mt. Vernon
James Cant, Dayville
Joseph W. Officer, Izee
Dempsey Boyer, Monument
John Porter, Long Creek
J. H. Dunston, Susanville
Frank French, Prairie City
Frank McGirr, Fox
Claude Resing, Ritter
Walter Campbell, Prairie City
George E. Barry, Dayville
H. L. Bailey, Mt. Vernon
Ricco Brothers, Prairie City
George Yokom, Mt. Vernon
FOREWORD
The Grant County Agricultural Economic Conference was planned by a general committee of
farm leaders representing various organizations, communities, and commodiity; interests in the
county. Extension Service of the Oregon State Agricultural College, through its local representative, Ralph Brooke, county agent, assisted in organizing the event, assembling data, and interpreting the data used by the various committees.
Six committees, each consisting of a number of practical producers, gave painstaking effort
and careful consideration to the reports presented to the general conference for adoption. On the
first day of the session all interested growers in the county were invited to participate in the committee discussions and final drafting of committee reports. The various committee reports, therefore, constitute a compilation of the best opinion in the county supported by local experieTce and
statistical data. Taken together, the reports ,constitute a program for Grant county agricultural
adjustment development through democratic discussion procedure in which all interested persons
had an opportunity to participate.
While recommendations contained in this bulletin are based upon the best available data and
the judgment of successful and practical producers, these should not be considered final. Conditions
are constantly changing and in accordance with these changes the recommendations herein contained will need revision and adjustment as time goes on.
This conference was one of a series of similar events held in most of the important agricultural
counties in the state early in 1936.
The conference developed a program to guide Grant county agriculture. Its ultimate value
stands upon knowledge and use of its findings by individual producers and by the various orglanizations and agencies in the county.
TABLE OF C0NTTS
Beef Cattle Committee Report
Sheep Committee Report
Soils and Irrigation Cbmmittee Report
Farm Crops Committee Report
Dairy, Poultry and Hogs Committee Report
Agricultural Economics Committee Report
3
4
5
5
7
S
Page 3
ECONOMIC CONFERENCE RPO1tT
Beef Cattle Committee Report
With
cattle
numbers in the
United States showing a decrease
of one-half of one per cent January
1, 1936, compared with the number
of head January 1, 1935, the outlook for this industry is not much
different to what it was in 1935.
However, the value per head on
1, 1936, was somewhat
higher than a year earlier and, if
price levels are maintained on an
equal basis for 1936, fair returns
may be expected from this indus-
January
private lands by deer and elk, a there will be a compulsory testing
careful study should be made of the
situation by competent livestock
game specialists and a program
fluence calf crop. It was pointed and
of game management adopted for
out by cattlemen present that the the
county that will take into conpresent calf percentage is low. It sideration
the interests of the taxhas been the tendency of the breed- paying land
owners, public rights
ers to use all kinds of bulls and not on the National
Forest and the inenough of them on the range.
that sportsmen and recreaIt is also a fact that calves are terests
coming at all seasons of the year. tionists have in all type of game.
It is believed good business to have 10. Bang's Disease Testing
the calves come as nearly as possiIn view of the fact that the
ble at one time so that the operator Bang's Disease program now being
will have a uniform age and size of staged by the Federal Government
feeders to supply the feed lots or provides an indemnity and that this
slaughter at marketing time.
program is likely to terminate
program without indemnity to follow, the cattle committee recommends that all dairymen and beef
cattle raisers in the county avail
themselves of the opportunity of
testing while the Government program is in effect. It is believed
that this will be to the advantage
of all concerned and will have a ten-
ency to speed up the testing pro-
gram.
11. Forest Service Reductions
The cattle committee feels that
there should be no ieduction in cat-
tle numbers on the National Forests, except where an actual shortIt is further recommended that sooner or later, and further that age of feed exists.
try. In Grant County, the 1935 U.
an effort be made by operators to
S. Agricultural Census shows the provide
the right kind of pastures
county ranking sixth in numbers of at breeding
time insofar as possible
Sheep Committee Report
all cattle, or a total of 46,048 head This practice will tend to increase
on farms. The cattle industry is the percentage of calves.
the largest in Grant County agri- 4. Quality
With Grant County in numbers and economical operation of range
culture and, considering this fact,
of sheep, according to the 1935 U. sheep outfits, range ewes should
the committee makes the following With quality rather than nuin- S. Department of Agriculture Cen- be disposed of in the fall after they
bers now being criterion, it is rec- sus, ranking seventh in the state are six years of age. Having a band
recommendations:
ommended that close culling be with a total of 118,870 head as of of ewes of uniform ages will aid
Cattle Numbers and Forage
practiced in breeding cows and use January 1, 1935, and"the county materially in the management and
Supplies
of high-grade purebred beef bulls being essentially a livestock county, handling of the band.
made in order that more effec- the sheep industry is one of major
A very close balance exists be- be
marketing might be secured. importance. The outlook for this Culling
tween numbers of cattle, in fact all tive
This should enable ranchers to dis- industry is fair at the present time
Culling of yearling ewes is a reclivestock numbers, and feed sup- pose of marketable cattle to better with a short lamb crop in 1935 and ommended
practice in order to have
plies in Grant County. It is consid- advantage by establishing higher prospects for higher prices,for wool a band of high producing sheep.
ered under existing conditions that quality, avoiding cutting back of in 1936 due to supplies being less in Culling of the ewes eliminates the
any appreciable increase in cattle less desirable individuals which re- the four principal countries export- small and undesirable ones from
numbers may upset this balance, sults in lower prices to the owner. ing wool. The wool prospects are the band and keeps the larger ewes
also better due toincreased activity that produce a more desirable wool
creating a feed shortage and may 5. Economic Unit
of the woolen mills and an increas- crop and a larger lamb crop.
result in considerable losses of
cattle committee considered ed demand for woolen goods. The
stock. Also, with forage conditions anThe
Fall Feed
unit in this banch of trend of sheep has been downward
on ranges privately owned limited theeconomic
It
is
our
belief
that
industry.
A
recommended practice which
1931 due partly to low prices
due to severe over-grazing, and it is not possible to state definitely since
brings good res.ults is that of hav
received
during
the
past
years
and
most units on National Forests fill- what an economic unit should be partly to decreased raihf all, causing ing the ewes on good range or pased, further increase in numbers of but that it should be based on the a semi-drouth, especially in the ture so that they are "throving" or
cattle would be unjustified unless condition of the individual and his Western areas. The downward gaining in flesh during bucking
forage conditions could be material- lay out and that it should be suffi- trend of sheep has been mostly in time. This will result in a larger
Jy chxnged. This also takes into ciently large to support the family the Western or range area with the lamb crop and will greatly decrease
consideration the trend in regard to on the present American standard numbers of sheep in the corn-belt the number of dry ewes.
states maintaining about the same,
future policies which may be made of living.
Winter Feeding
at least up to January 1, 1935. With
by National Forest officials and 6. Cattle on Small Ranches
Ewes
should be well fed during
this in mind, the committee on the winter
also the problem of game as affectmonths to insure a good
As
a
considerable
number
of
sheep
has
formulated
the
following
ing forage on ranges. This com- ranchers within the county are op- recommendations:
clip of wool and a crop of lambs
mittee recommends that, until sucn erating small herds, income from
that are strong at birth. Good qualSoil Conservation Program
ity alfalfa hay is ideal for winter
time as the now existing close bal- which is supplemented from other
ance between livestock numbers sources, the committee recommends The present Soil Conservation feed and no grain or other concenand feed supplies is changed, any that, in the case of these small own- Program recently introduced in trated feed is necessary when the
sizeable increase in cattle numbers ers, Steps be taken to introduce place of the AAA may work to the ewes go into the winter in a strong
some diversification such as grow- disavantage of the Western sheep conilition anil when they are liberwould not be warranted.
fed. However, if the ewes are
The tendency of the average cat. ing seed crops for which a fair de- producers and the committee urges ally
Western sheep growers keep thin or old, it is necessary to feed
tleman is to stock his plant with the mand exists for seed as broom- that
meadow fescue, alfalfa, al- informed as to conditions in the them grain or other concentrates at
number of cattle that he can feed grass,
sike
clover
and crested wheatgrass. corn-belt and the Southern states the beginning of the winter to get
in the average good year. Then, This practice
should enable small as this new program is being work- the ewes built up so that they will
when a short or drouth year hits, owners to obtain
an income to ed out. The plan, under the Soil be strong at lambing time. It was
he finds himself with no surplus maintain a better standard of liv- Conservation Program, is to pay the opinion of the committee that,
hay on hand and it is necessary to ing.
farmers for raising soil-improving if ewes were down in flesh, there
go out and buy feed to carry him
crops and, with these soil-improv- was no way or no feed that would
over. This results in the necessity, 7. Feeding of Cattle in Grant
ing crops, a large amount of grass bring them up in a short period of
as a rule, of mortgaging his cattle County
will be raised and livestock, either time. For this reason it was recto take care of the added expense
Ft is believed by the cattle com- sheep, beef or dairy cattle, will be ommended that thin or old ewes be
where this program is followed. It mittee that sufficient cattle should used to feed it off. This may lead fed a small amount of grain or conis the belief of the cattle committee be fed in Grant lounty to take to a large increase in numbers of centrates over a longer winter feedthat the logical procedure would be care of the local needs. Wherever sheep, which, of course, will affect ing period rather than be fed a
to stock the plant with the number there is a surplus of feeds suitable markets for they will come in direct larger amount of grain or concenthat can be fed on an average poor for fattening, this recommenda- competition with sheep raising in trated feeds for a very short time
just before lambing.
year. This will allow him to build tions would apply, Where the lo- our western ceuntry.
up a feed surplus to carry him cal market is not able to absorb the Size of Band
Tagging
through ihe extremely bad years. surplus cattle in the county, there
The sheep committee strongly
It is better to have a surplus of hay is a ready market for them at It is important to consider an recommends
the practice of tagging
economic unit in planning the raisto sell as he moves along rather North Portland.
than to find himself short of feed 8. Breeds
during the poor years. It is recognized by the cattle committee that In order to further improve the
a feed shortage has caused more quality of Grant County cattle, it is
livestock operators to go out of recommended that the praetice of
maintaining dairy breeds of cattle
business than any other cause.
and marketing steers of dairy oriWater Development
gin be discontinued and straight
ing of sheep. In the opinion of the the ewes before lambing time. This
committee, 1000 to 1200 ewes is is considered a good management
the best number of sheep, all things practice and should be done some
corsidered, to handle in a band. two weeks before lambing time or
This, of course, depends on the before the ewes get too heavy.
sheep ranch and range available.
Time of Lambing
Best returns are usually obtained in
The
time of lambing will vary
those sheep outfits where approxieach sheep operator, dependThe cattle committee recognizes beef or straight dairy breeds be mately 50 er cent of the invest- with
on the supply of alfalfa hay,
ment is in land and the remaining ing
the importance of more water de- utilized for their respective uses.
kind of spring range available
50 per cent is in sheep. However, the
velopment on the range. Water 9. Gam in Relation to Livestock
the location of the ranch. As
it is the opinion of the committee and
holes should be distributed as much
a
general
recommendation, where
It
is
firmly
believed
deer
have
inthat
with
most
outfits
at
the
presas possible over the range. It is
facilties
are
available for early
creased
in
Grant
County
at
least
ent
time
the
greater
part
of
the
inrecommended by the cattle commitlambing, this should be done for
tee that the Grant County Livestock five times in the past ten years. As vestment is in the land and equip- early
lambs can usually be marketassociation make an effort to se- a result of this increase, certain ment.
ed to better advantage. The extra
cure water development through problems have arisen which demand.
Age of Ewes
feed necessary to produce early
the services of the WPA and CCC careful attention of the ranchers of
It is recommended that ew's in lambs will be paid for by a larger
Grant County. In some instances
camps.
an over-concentration of game on a band be maintained at a uniform wool clip. Another advantage is
Calf Crop
private deed lands has resulted in age. Depreciation increees very that when these early lambs are
The individual pperator would considerable damage to the land rapidly in range ewes after they marketed, it gives the breeding
find it to his advantage to give owner. In order to make a more reach six years of age. For this ewes a good opportunity to get in
more study to the. factors that in- equitable adjustment of the use of reason and for the more successful better condition before bucking
Page 4
GRANT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
time the following fall. A further keep down the loss from naval inadvantage mentioned by the com- fection and scours to a very large
mittee for early lanibing is that the extent. The practice of applying
men on the sheep ranch may be em- iodine on the navals of the young
ployed to good advantage, for the lambs will lessen the loss from
ranch work is usually slack at this naval infection and reduce the numseason of the year, and the lambing ber of stiff lambs to a very great
operations will be out of the way extent. If the iodine is applied, it
before the spring ranch work be- should be done just as soon as posgins. With good management, it is sible after the, lamb is born; other
possible to obtain a larger lamb wise it is of little value.
crop with early shed lambing than
Coyotes
with later range lambing.
The committee goes on record as
Creeps
Creeps for twin lambs have been
found to pay and make it possible
to develop the twin lambs so that
they are more nearly the same size
as the single lambs at the time of
marketing. Good feed for lambs in
the creeps is ground oats with a
small mixture of bran and third
cutting alfalfa hay.
Lamb Feeding
a recommended
As
practice
where feed is available, the com-
mittee favors the feeding of the
small lambs after the marketing of
the main lamb crop. This has proved to be a profitable enterprise in
other localities where it has come to
be a common practice. The fattening of these small lambs on homegrown feeds provides a home market for this feed at a higher price
than it would usually bring.
Death Loss
tion and result in a saving of hay
during the winter months. These
shelter belts can be grown from
Black Locust trees and these trees
also make excellent fence posts.
Besides the Black Locust, a number
of other hardy trees are available
and can be ordered from the Oregon
Forest Nursery through the County
Agent's office at a very low price.
Wool Growers' Association
For a long period of time, the
Grant County Stockgrowers Association has been active in working
Soils and Irrigation Committee Report
ural flow of the streams of the
county. As a general rule water is
plentiful early in the season, but
there is a general lack of water
time agricultural program. The during the summer and fall.
need for increasing the profitable The committee feels that the agproduction per acre should be em- riculture of this county could be
phasized in order to maintain a sat- placed oh a more stable basis if a
isfactory standard of living for all. more dependable supply of irrigaSoil is our greatest natural rewater were available. The desource, conservation of which is tion
of a stable water supply
necessary for the public good. If velopment
dependent upon the development
farming practices are followed on is
supplies of storage water.
any particular farm that lead to ofThere
is some possibility of sethe depletion of the fertility of that
farm, it means not only ruin to the curing WPA funds for the construcindividual farmer but also addition- tion of dams to be used for the pur
al burdens on other farmers and pose of storing water. The comother industries in this county, mittee recommends that an effort
state and nation in the form of ad- be made to secure at least one small
ditional taxation to take care of the storage dam to be constructed for
taxation load previously carried by the purpose of çlemonstration the
that farm.
benefits to be derived from it. It is
That the productivity of the farm recommended that the county court
land in Grant County be maintained sponsor such a dam and that the
is extremely important because of court authorize the county engineer
the fact that the utilization of the to make preliminary surveys of
range land in this county is depen- prospective sites.
dent upon the feed produced on the
Since the water sheds of the
cultivated land. Should the feed proper
streams supplying irrigation
supply be reduced it would mean water in this county are chiefly
a decrease in the number of live within the National Forests, the
stock that could be pastured on the committee recommends that the
range.
Forest Service manage the lands
It is with these thoughts in mind within these water sheds in such a
that the committee makes the fol- manner that will allow the greatest
lowing recommendations.
1. Irrigation
According to the 1935 census,
there were approximately fifty
thousand acres of land in crop last
year. Possibly less than one thirci
of this land was irrigated. Yet because of the lack of natural precipitation, the bulk of the feed produced is produced on the irrigated land.
Because of this fact agriculture of
Grant County is largely dependent
to make the best possible use of the
water available. The type of irri-
gation system to use will depend
entirely upon conditions encounter-
ed on the individual farm. Such
factors as quantity of water, soil,
type of topography, and crop to be
irrigated will determine the type of
In favor of a Federal bounty system irrigation that should be used.
on coyotes to be uniform in the There is the possibility of greatly
Western range states. However, if improving the use of irrigation wathe bount.y could not be a Federal, ter on much of the irrigated land
the committee is in favor of the through the use of the strip-border
method of irrigation which has been
present plan.
used successfully on several farms
Shelter Belts
the John Day Valley.
In many instances, shelter belts in The
method of irrilocated convenienntly to the feed gation corrugation
may allow much better use
ground will provide great protec-
for the best interests of the wool
Considerable death loss may be growers in this county and we urge
avoided by good management prac- all sheepmen to join this association
tices such as exercise of the ewes and also to become a member of the
during the winter feeding period to Oregon Wool Growers Association,
prevent ewe loss. Proper sanitary which is an organization always on
methods in the lambing sheds and the job working for the best intercorrals during lambing time will ests of all Oregon sheepmen.
This committee feels that the full
utilization and conservation of the
soil and water resources of Grant
County is fundamental to any long-
much better use could be made of
present water supplies through improving irrigation practices. The
irrigation system on the individual
farm should be carefully designed
Early spring application of ten to
twelve tons per acre is recommended, The committee realizes that the
cI)nservation of the manure during
feeding operations produces a considerable problem. They suggest
that wherever possible these feeding operations be conducted on
meadows making it possible to conserve the fertilizer in the manure.
The committee wishes to point
out that any long time agricultural
program must provide for replenishing the plant food supply in the
soil. Continued farming over a period of years will mean that some
day it will be necessary to replace
the plant food supply in the soil
with applications of commercial fertilizers. Trials conducted in certain
sections of the county indicate that
the use of certain commercial ferof water on some of the rougher tilizers is profitable at the present
land especially where only a liipited time. In som sections of the counhead of water is available. The ty the applications of sulphur has
system of irrigation ditches on the greatly increased the yields of al-
individual farm should be carefully falfa and wild meadow hay. In othdesigned to permit the distribution ,er sections of the county, trebleof water without waste and without/ phosphate has caused profitable increases in the yield. The committee
unnecessary washing of the soil.
There is a considerable area of recommends that farmers generally
good land lying along the North try out these two fertilizers in orFork of the John Day River which, der to determine whether or not
because of the favorable climatic their use would be profitable.
The committee recommends that
conditions, could become very prociuctive if irrigation water were the county agricultural agent conavailable. It is the opinion of the tinue fertilizer trials in different
committee that a considerable area sections of the county for purof this land could be economically pose of determining the proper
irrigated by pumping. The topo- types of fertilizers to use and the
graphy of the county is such that best methods of using these ferit would be generally necessary for tilizers.
each individual to install his own
Erosion
pumping plant. However, it is
thought that because of the com- The committee wishes to point
paratively low pumping lift that out that erosion is a serious probthe cost of irrigation would be very
reasonable.
Drainage
lem in Grant County. Considerable
damage is done each year on the
plow land within the county, especially that devoted to annually
A considerable area of the land seeded crops and that farmed by
under irrigation in this county is of the dry land summer fallow methlittle value from the crop produc- od. The committee recommends
tion standpoint because of the lack that farm practices be followed
of drainage. As a general rule it that will maintain a good supply of
is possible to drain this land econ- organic matter in the soil and
omically. The committee recom- provide a protective covering for
ments that whenever possible such the soil during the period of the
lands be drained in order to increase spring run-off. Summer fallow land
the production of these lands and should be left as rough as possible
to prevent the entire loss te the in order that the water may be
agriculture of the county through made to soak Into the soil rather
the accumulation of alkali salts.
than run off over the surface.
Where it is possible to do some Considerable damage has been
form of under drainage it is prefer- done to the range land of the counable to open ditches. Because of ty through erosion. This damage
the high cost of drain tile within is particularly serious because the
this area, in many instances it may soil on the range land is generally
be profitable to construct the un- shallow and the loss of only a small
der drains of lumber in order to amount of soil may destroy the
save expenses. As a general rule productiveness of the land foi'ever.
each individual farmer will be able The control of this erosion on range
to install his own drainage systcm, land lies in providing an adequate
but in some instances it may be grass cover. The committee strongnecessary for two or more farmers ly recommends that grazing practo cooperate in order to secure a tices be followed that will allow a
satisfactory outlet.
good grass covering to be mainDeep drainage is absolutely nec- tained on all range land.
essary before alkali land may be
Dry Land
reclaimed. If deep drainage is avRecommendations
made for
ailable, it is possible to wash out the use of approved are
practices in
the alkali salts through the use of handling
dry land such as alterheavy applications of irrigation
nate cropping and summer fallowwater.
The committee recommends full ing, according to adaptation of soil
its location. With considerable
use be made of available WPA and
funds for drainage for liver fluke acreage in Grant County classified
possible conservation of water.
as dry land, production may be
In certain sections of Grant control.
greatly increased on such land by
County there is a possibility of utilSoil Fertility
the use of approved practices.
izing the early spring run off for In order that farming.may be con
Soil Conservation Act
the purpose of supplyir.g water en- tinued on a permanent basis, it is
ough for one good irrigation to a absolutely necessary that every pre- It is recommended that Grant
considerable area of land. The use caution be taken to consel4ve the County cooperate *ith the recently
of this flood water would permit fertility in this soil. Wherever pos- announced Soil Conservation Plan.
growing a greater amount of feed sible a crop rotation including IaDredge Tailings.
of better quality than is now possi- gume crop, such as alfalfa, should
In view of the fact that considble under present dry farming be sowed.
erable acreage of some of the most
This type of irrigation
has been practiced with excellent
results on several farms within the
county, and the committee feels
that it is a practice that should be
methods.
Careful consideration should be
given to the conservation of barn
yard manure in order that as much
plant food as possible be returned
to the soil. In order to secure best
more widely adopted.
possible use of barn yard manure,
The committee feels that on the it should be applied to the soil at a
tion water is derived from the nat- average farm within the county time when a growing crop may
upon irrigation and the extent of
agricultural productivity is to a
large degree proportional to the
supply of irrigation water. At the
present time the supply of irriga-
utilize the available plant food.
fertile soil in the John Day Valley
is being reduced to waste and taken
from the county tax rolls due to
dredging operations and that considerable acreage has been sold or
optioned to dredging companies,
further decreasing taxable lands, it
is recommended that suitable legis-
iECONOMIC CONFERENCE REPORT
Page 5
lation be enacted to enforce level- value in working out the future soil grasses is recommended. Crested
ing of dredge tailings so that land management and fertilization pro- wheat grassT will not last indefinwill not be entirely lost.
gram for the farm lands of the itely unless it has a chance to grow
county, for this reason the com- up and so replenish the food supply
8. Soil Survey
mittee requests that the chairman in the roots at least once every
The soils committee feels that and secretary prepare a resolution three years and preferably once
the soil survey Thr Grant County requesting a soil survey and that every other year. Treated in this
would be of great value in working copies of this resolution be sent to way either native bunch grass or
out a proper soil conservation pro- the Oregon State College Experi- crested wheat grass will last ingram. Such a survey would assist ment Station, the Bureau of Chem- definitely.
greatly in determining the proper istry and of Soils in Washington,
types of crops to grow on different D. C., and the Oregon CongressionGRAINS
soils. It would blsO be of great al delegation in Washington, D. C.
A. The Situation
Only Small Amounts of Grains
B. Recommendations
Seed Crops
We recommend that a few farmers with threshing etjuipment
The 1934 census reports grains
We urge farmers living on some
Farm Crops Committee Report
HAY
A. The Situation
Hay Occupies 90% of Cropped
Land
The 1934 census showed 50,868
acres of land devoted to crops in
this county. Of this 44,808 acres
Were in hay.
Wild Hay About Half of Area
The different kinds of hay with
the yield per acre in each in 1934
are listed below:
Yield per
Kinds of Hay
Acres
Acre
Grass Hay
20,869
1.1 Tons
Grain Hay
16,291
1.3 Tons
Alfalfa
5,540
1.2 Tons
Timothy & Clover 2,035 1.2 Tons
It is seen by the above table that
alfalfa produces about 2½ times as
much per acre as the grass hay and
Between
Livestock
Bromo gress, crested wheat grass
and tall oat grass.
'iiiis would
diversify th beome of some peo-
ple nd would keep money at home.
Vegetables
of the smaller irrigated farms to
at least experiment with the pro-
PASTURES AND RANGES
A. The Situation
Grass Is the Greatest Resource
of the County
An overwhelming proportion of
the county is devoted to grass.' Of
tional attention to fruit for local
needs only. The old neglected orchards are a menace to growers
ditions are favorbIe.
If the new Triple A program developes as seems likely so that the
Middle West produces more stock
and fattens less, one result may be
a gre.at spread between feeder
stock and fat stock than now exists. If this should develop during
the 2,892,000 acres in the county the next ten years there will be a
98% is used for grazing. Stock are demand for winter fattening of a
on grass some where in the county larger number of livestock.
every month of the year in most B. Recommendations
seasons. The more of the weight
Varieties Recommended
the better off the stock owner is.
Classification of Ranges
About two-thirds of the county
is in National Forest or other public land while 935,000acres or 30%
and Hay
Grant County has as delicate a
balance between livestock and hay
supplies as any county in Oregon
with the exception of Harney of the land area is in privately
County where conditions are worse. owned range. Of the above only
In the ordinary year there is plenty 27,000 acres is plowable pasture.
of hay to go around. In some years B. Recommendations
there is a substantial carry-over
1. Mixed Grasses Recommended
but this is practically always needfor Irrigated Pastures
ed the following year. Two long
winters in succession would result In most cases mixed grass pasin large in-shipments of hay or tures will give greater pasture reout-shipments of stock
turns than native grasses when irPossibilities of Increasing Hay rigated. The mixtures to use will
depend upon water supply and loSupplies
cation. So the committee advises
The main possibilities in increas- counsulting
with the county agent
ing the hay supply seems to be:
Development of storage water. before seeding.
2. Crested Wheat Grass for Dry
Drainage of wet lands.
Land
More levelling to provide better irrigation.
In all of the dry land grass nur-
An increase of the alfalfa series conducted by the county
acreage where possible.
agent's office crested wheat grass
The greater use of spring has shown itself to be outstanding.
flood water through the irrigation It is recommended that crested
of land in the early spring.
wheat grass be seeded on lands
Improvement of wild mead- which have been plowed at one
ows.
time and are now abandoned. Such
Part of the above possibilities lands can be plowed up and seed
will be covered by the committee bed prepared so th.at a stand is
on irrigation and drainage.
easy to get.
On ranges now over-run by bronB. Recommendations
1. Ladak Alfalfa Recommended co grass where plowing is impossirecommend crested wheat
Ladak alfalfa should be substi- ble, we
also but different methods of
tuted for other kinds as soon as grass
seeding are necessary. It is a
price will permit because of the slower
matter under these condifollowing advantages:
tions to get a stand but it can be
It will stand more cold.
It withstands late spring done.
For all ranches desiring to seed
frosts.
crested wheat grass we recommend
It does pot tend to die in seed plot of from 5 to 20 acres
drouth years when water is lacking awhere
seed can be produced. If a
during the summer months.
machine is available the
It is resistent to most alfalfa threshing
seed can be cut and threshed. If
diseases and to some insects.
it is not available, the seed can
It is longer lived than other be cut
and the grass scattered over
kinds.
the land to be seeded.
2. Reed Canary Grass Recom3. Range Management
mended for Swamps
If the Triple A should accept cAdditional and better hay could ommendations
of th ialt Lake
be secured from wet lands if plant- conferen
benefit payments may
ed to reed canary grass.
be available in the future for those
3. Mixed Grasses Recommended who increase their grass by proper
in Place of Timothy
range management. Such manA mixture of timothy, meadow agement will necessarily include
fescue and orchard grass will give giving the grass a chance to seed
better and more hay than timothy cnce every other year. In any case
alone.
alfalfa, Ladino clover, sweet clover,
Alsike clover, white clover, orchard
grass, timothy, meadow fescue.
as follows:
4. Wild Meadow Improvement Kind of Grain
Acres
Suggested
Wheat
1747
753
Some of the grass meadows are Oats
988
very low-yielding due to damage Barley
1713
from flood, drouth or over grazing. Rye
These wild hay meadows make up
Use of Grain Increasing
the bulk of the hay tonnage and There is considerable demand for
can be improved in some cases by grain of all kinds for winter feedbetter irrigation and in,.other cases ing and more livestock is fed out
by reseeding withhetter grasses. from year to year whenever con-
about twice as much per acre as
which can be put on from grass
the average grain hay.
Balance
Produced
available give some attention to
the development of a local seed
business. Possibilities are Ladak
duction of vegetables for local markets only. It must be recognized
that vegetables must be packaged
the way the stores w.ant them and
delivered regularly as The stores
need them rather than at the convenience of the grower.
Fruit
We recommend that a few farmers on irrigated farms give addiwho may want to develop this fruit
supply because each neglected orchard is a breeding ground for
pests and disease. Such orchards
should either be takn out or cared
for.
Berries Grow Exceptionally
Well Here
'A few growers could probably
For wheat we recommend Feder- produce small amounts profitably
ation on all except the heaviest for the local market only. The
yielding lands. On the very best county agent should be consulted
lands we recommend Union wheat. for recommendations as to variFor barley we recommend Union eties.
as a barley for hay production and
}lannchen for all except the heaviWEEDS
est yielding lands. Where barley
yields more than 60 bushels Trebi
The Situation
should be used. For oats we recommend Victory on the highest 1. Weeds Increasing
yielding lands and Markten on the White top, Russian knapweed
and morning glory are found here
others.
Rape Following Grains
Whenever grains are grown
about two months of eccel1ent pasture can be secured by seeding 4 or
5 pounds of rape with the grain.
SPECIALIZED CROPS
A. The Situation
1. County Imports Vevetables
Fruit and Seed
The county spends about $12,000
for fresh vegetables per year,
about $4,500 for fresh fiuit and an
unknown amount for grass, clover
and grain seed.
and there in the county and the
patches
are increasing.
Quack
grass is scattered more or less all...
up and down the valley.
Recommendations
We urge farmers to be careful in seed buying. Lots of seed
offered for less than the market
price are almost certain to contain seeds of noxious weeds.
Most of 'these weeds are not
beyond the control stage in thin
county and we urge work at once
on them to prevent further spread
and damage to the entire irrigated
portions of the county.
Dairy, PoItry & Hogs Committee Report
The following 'table shows the
DAIRY COWS
number of dairy cows by census
The General Dairy Situation
The number of dairy cows in the periods since 1890 in the United
United States .of milking age as States, the eleven western states,
shown by the census has steadily Oregon and Grant County.
The eleven western states have
increased since 1890. There have
been a number of changes in num- for a number of years had about
bers between the last few census the same percentage of the human
periods. From 1928 until 1934 the population Of the country as there
number of cows of milking age on were of the dairy cows of the nafarms in the United States increas- tic-n, and there has 'been a little net
ed about three per cent per year, movement of dairy products be-
reaching an all-time peak of an es- tween the Pacific slope and the east
timated 26,185,000 early in 1934. until 1935 when considerable eastDuring that period pastures and ern butter was shipped to Califorfeeding conditions were below nor- nia markets. Oregon produces a
mal in all or part of the major surplus of cheese and butter, mardairy states of the country, so that keting most of it in California. For
production' only increased one per a number of years between nine
cent per year. The 1934 drouth and ten million pounds of Oregon
started a decline in dairy cattle cheese have been shipped to Lor
numbers which brought them down Angeles and San Francisco marto ap estimated 24,500,000 on Jan- kets. as well as from six to eight
this method of handling dry land uary 1, 1936.
million pounds of butter. This
amount of cheese is about all that-
Page 6
GRANT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
can be expected to be marketed
from this, state at profitable prices.
It appears that any increase in
surplus dairy products of Oregon Year
should be made with the view of 1920
producing high quality butter for 1925
those markets.
The following table shows the
human population of the United
States and the eleven Western
States and Oregon since 1890;
United States
19,675,000
17,645,000
23,106,000
26,236,000
1930
1935
11 Western
States
Oregon
1,541,000
1,623,000
1,814,000
2,264,000
200,000
217,000
229,000
270,000
Grant Co.
920
698
2678
3500 est
June 1
Sources: U. S.
April 15
(11 Western) U. S. Census Reports
January 1
Estimates by B. A. E.
Oregon, 1920-1930, Livestock, Meat
and Wool Market Statistics.
During the past sixteen years,
for which records are available,
there has been very close relationship between the price of manufactured dairy products and the
industrial payrolls of the nation. Year
The 1936 United States Depart- 1890
ment of Agriculture Outlook Re- 1900
ports indicate that dairymen are 1910
planning to increase their numbers 1920
of cows, but that they now have on 1925
hand fewer heifers under two years 1930
of age than will be needed for re- 1934*
placements in the present nationa' *Estimated
herd, so that there is no apparent
prospect of an increase of dairy
The committee urges that everyone owning a dairy bull keep him
NUMBER OF MILK COWS ON HAND
HUMAN POPULATION
11 Western States
Uniced States
-
3,102,269
4,091,349
6,825,621
8,902,972
10,082,261
11,896,222
12,530,606
62,947,714
75.994,575
91,972,266
105,710,620
113,483,720
122,493,720
125,693,000
Oregon
317,'04
413,536
672,765
783,389
846,061
953,786
983,000
1890-1920, 1930-Statistical Abstract
1925World Almanac for 1926
1934World Almanac for 1935
cow numbers for the next couple of
years. However, the committee
wishes to call attention to the fact make a satisfactory living on the the dominant breed, attention is
that the present estimates of cow farm. Any such contemplated directed to the possibilities of
numbers shows only 700,000 less change should be based upon the Brown Swiss, Milking Shorthorns,
than were on hand in 1933 when production of an adequate feed Holstein, Ayrshire, or Red Polled
100,000,000 pounds of butter were supply on the farm in question.
cattle all of which, if properly
placed in storage in excess of nor- Feed Requirements for Success- bred and handled, will be profitable
mal storage operations. If con- ful Dairying
In choosing a
in dairy herds.
sumers buying power should debreed, those who may be in a posicrease, particularly as indicated br Cost of production studies show tion to turn off some fairly good
industrial payrolls, the demand for conclusively that milk and cream young beef or veal shouid keep in
dairy products would probably fall can be produced at lower costs in mind the type of dairy cow which
off and by the same reasoning, if irrigated regions than elsewhere.
consumers' buying power should in- On the average it requires 3½ tons
crease, prices for dairy product of hay, 6 months of pasture, and
should make further imporvements. between 400 and 500 pounds of
grain to feed a cow of milking age
The Situation in Grant County
for twelve months in the irrigated
There has been a small volume of regions. It will be seen from this
dairy production in Grant County that the requirements for successfor many years. The industry has ful dairying in the irrigated rebeen conducted on the smaller irri- gions are mainly an adequate supgated farms of the John Day and ply of hay and of pasture with a
tributary valleys. During the per- relatively small amount of grain.
iod from 1920 to 1925 many dairy This grain can all be home grown.
cows were brought to the valley Satisfactory rations to go with al'from western Oregon. Many of falfa hay can be made from a mixthese cows, however, were those ture of barley and oats. The grain
discarded by western Oregon dairy-
men because of Bang's disease and
associated troubles.
The industry has grown more
rapidly'in recent years. In 1935
the county produced approximately
five hundred thousand pounds of
butter. This butter was manufactured in two creameries. Undoubtedly additional butter fat was ship.ped out of the county to manufacturing plants elsewhere.
The quality of butter produced
is exceptionally good, especially
when it is realized that dairying is
not a major
confined to a safe keeping bull pen.
Dairy bulls are all apt to become
dangerous at any age. They should
not be permittel to run at large or
to run with the herd.
Shelter and Management
Careful attention to many details
of management are necessary if
one is to succeed in the dairy enterprise. The committee believes that
proper shelter must be provided to
protect the dairy cows from severe
weather. Milking quarters should
be arranged so as to save labor.
Adequate facilities must be pro-.
vided for caring for the milk and
cream after it is produced. Dairy
cows cannot be satisfactorily fed on
the ground or in the open. The committee recommends feeding of cows
in accordance with their ability to
produce milk. This means the barn
feeding of grain. From the experience of the members of the committee, it is recommended that at-
tention be given to provide ade-
quate and convenient facilities for
feeding and caring for the dairy
herd. In this climate warming of
the drinking water for dairy cows
will pay for the trouble and what
little expense is involved.
Quality Production
As has already been pointed out
the quality of butter produced in
Grant County is exceptionally good.
lends itself best to this side line. The surplus production is marketed
The profits to be obtained in turn- outside the state. Any increased
ing off side line beef from a dairy production must find a market outherd are usually of no great conse- side the county and state. Most of
quence, but they are smaller with it will ultimately find its way to
certain types of dairy cows than California markets where it must
compete with the product of the
with others.
The committee recognizes two several western states and of midmethods of hifting from the stock western points. This means that to
cattle over to the dairy business. find a ready market, it must be of
One method would be to dispose of high duality.
the stock cattle and purchase a The production of butter of high
herd of dairy cows to replace them. quality begins on the farm. The
This method will require the ex- cream must be properly cared for
penditure of a certain amount of on the farm and frequently delivercash, some of which might be in ex- ed to the manufacturing plant.
can also be supplemented with root cess of the amount realized from With the adequite cooling facilities
crops such as beets, mangles and the sale of the stock cattle. There plus the advantages of climatic concarrots for winter feeding. Short is also the difficulty of purchasing ditions in the county, the producpasture can be supplemented with good dairy cows and the possibility tion of cream of high quality is
green corn: The raising of these of getting diseased animals even largely a matter entirely within the
cultivated crops will also help in with the present disease control control of the producer. The comcontrolling the weed problems of program. However, the advantage mittee believes that he should equip
the valley.
of' this method of entering the dairy his farm with proper arrangement
Non-irrigated hill pasture or business is that one would immed- for the separation and cooling of
range lying close to the home ranch iately realize the full benefits and the cream until it is delivered to the
can be used advantageously during advantages from the change in manufacturing plant. There is no
part of the year for carrying young type of operations.
place for expansion of the dairy
stock and dry cows. Those now en- The other method would be to business unless it is based on the
gaged in the dairy business and dispose of all but the best milking production of a quality product.
any contemplating entering the
from the stock cattle herd, to
dairy business should base their cows
acquire the proper kind of bull to Herd Record Keeping
feed calculations on these require- mate with these cows and to gradu- The committee does not believe it
ments. It is recommended that ally breed up from the stock cattle is feasible to consider the possibil-
enterprise in the
coupty. The price received has avir d about one cent below PortIa' market quotations. This is a any expansion of the dairy business a herd of dairy cows. This system ity of a herd improvement associavery satisfactory price relation- in Grant County be made on a basis will require longer time to accom- tion in Grant County in the near fuship.
of using feed which is not required
It must be recognized, howThere are a number of farmers by stock cattle and sheep which plish. method of shifting should ture.
ever, that no one can successfully
operating small irrigated ranches will continue to be the major live- be The
by the experience of engage in the dairy business withwho are running a few head of stock enterprise of the county. thedetermined
operator
and
the several factors out paying attention to the relative
stock cattle but not enough in num- Dairy expansion should be based involved in the farm
set-up which milk producing ability of the difbers to make a satisfactory family upon the usual surplus of feed would bear upon his success
the ferent cows in the herd. Cows can
living or farm income. The com- above stock cattle requirements changed type of operation. in
Care- be effectively selected within most
mittee believes that unless an oper- and the feed released when stock ful attention should be given to
the herds by keeping a record of the
ator has at least one hundred head cattle or sheep are replaced by possibilities offered by the two
milk produced and assuming averof stock cattle, he would be much dairy cattle.
age butter fat content of the milk
methods
before
embarking
upon
a
better off financially if he would It is the opinion of the committee change.
for
the breed. It is therefore urged
discontinue his beef cattle opera- that the hay production of the
that
all dairymen provide themseltions and change his enterprise to county can be materially increased Selection of Bulls
ves with a modern set of milk scales
that of dairying. The commiittee if water storage developments of a
The committee believes that as and that they keep milk records on
is unanimously of the opinion that practical nature can be developed
much attention should be paid to each of their cows. To be profitthe day business on the smaller within reasonable cost.
the selection of bulls of good milk able, the average Jersey cow should
irrigated farms will be much more
producing inheritance by those who produce at least 6,000 pounds of
renumerative if properly conducted Types of Cattle
per year. Those of the larger
It is as important for dairymen engage in the dairy business in milk
than will a small stock cattle busibreeds
should produce at least 8,000
Grant
County
as
is
paid
by
the
selof
Grant
County
to
have
good
dairy
ness, unless the cattle business is
run in conjunction with a farm cows as it is for dairymen in the ection of good bulls in the higher pounds.
highly developed dairy sections to
have good dairy cows. A profitable
dairy enterprise cannot be established with poor cows. Those enthose farmers operating under the gaged in the dairy business should
conditions described give careful follow the best practices of $uccessconsideration to the possibility of ful dairymen elsewhere. Cows of
discontinuing this type of operation milking breeds and inheritance
rd of setting themselves up in the should he used. If one does not
diry business on sufficient scale to desire Jersey cattle which is now
sheep enterprise.
Recommendations
The committee recommends that
developed dairy sections. The com-
Growing Young Stock
The average cost of raising dairy
especially to those who may not be heifers to milking age during a peroperating on large enough scale to io of four years, when cost studies
justify their purchasing a good were made, was in exCess of the
dairy herd sire. Neighbors living average niarket price of heif era
mittee suggests the possibility of
the partnership ownership of bulls
adjacent to each other can well af- during the same period. At the
ford to give this possibility consid- present writing the same condition
exists. While dairymen are urged
eration.
Page 7
ECONOMIC CONFERENCE REPORT
to raise their own replacements eggs from miscellaneous
farm Agricultura Economics Committee Report
they should be careful only to raise flocks.
heifers from their best cows.
The committee finds that Oregon,
The committee believes that on Idaho, Utah, California, and Washmany farms in Grant County the ington are all surplus producing recost of raising heifers is much low- gions. There is no promising outer than the average for the state or side market outlet for surplus farm
than many regions in the state.
eggs should this condition develop
This is particularly true where within Grant County.
non-irrigated hill pasture or out- Turkey Industry
range is available. The committee
recommends that serious consider- The committee believes that
ation be given this possibility by there is possibly a limited field for
those whose facilities seem to meet the production of turkeys in the
the necessary requirements. The county. An operator entering the
committee urges careful study of turkey business, however, should
the Experiment Station bulletin an- proceed with caution. It will be
alyzing the cost of raising heifers. necessary for him to ship much of
his feed in from the outside of the
county. He should have adequate
POULTRY
and satisfactory range for the birds
Grant County in 1930 had 632 and should keep in mind that this
farms; 535 of these farms (85%) is a highly competitive field. Or-
cut off and revert to county title,
Sources of Agricultural Income
as dredging operations -proceed
Grant County depends to a great- and
in the John Day Valley.
er extent upon the income from Additional data on land resources
livestock than does any other coun- are carried in Table B and C atty in Oregon; 77.5% of its total tached.
farm income being derived from Land Ownership
sales of beef cattle and sheep.
In looking ahead to the agricul-
Dairy products make up approxi- tural development in a region the
mately 8% of the county total.
ownership of the land is highly im-
Land in private ownerCash sales of field crops run to portant.
ship is more or less flexible as to
slightly more than 11% of the its use whereas properties in public
county total but a considerable part
of the income under this classification is derived from the sale of alfalfa hay to beef and sheep opera-
ownership, notably that owned by
the federal government, probably
will not be featured by any such
flexibility.
More than 54.85% of the total
part of land area of Grant qountyi.owned
reported poultry; 440 farms (82%) dinarily, th& farmer should receive tors, hence is essentially aRevenue
by the public. State and county
reported poultry flocks of less than from 18c to 20c a pound for his the 1ivestok income.
amount to less than 1%. The
50 hensa home table set-up; 80 birds in order to show a profit. from other than field crops, from limds
forest covers over 48% of
farms reported more than 50 hens There is a possibility that this next poultry and eggs, and from other national
the county total while other federal
but less than 100. For a short per- year there will be an over-produc- livestock, is all but insignificant.
lands, mostly unappropriated pubiod, these flocks under normal care tion of turkeys. The committee
domain, make up 8%.
might have a few surplus eggs finds that while there may be a pos- Additional data relative to lieLand
farms, totaling slightly
above home needs. fifteen farms re- sibility of a very few individuals sources of agricultural income are less thanin1,000,000
amount
ported more than 100 hens and only under special conditions engaging carried by table A attached hereto. to 34% of the total,acres,
while other
one of these reported as many as successfully in this commercial proprivately-owned land, for the most
400 hens.
duction of turkeys, that as a prin- Agricultural Development
part timber properties, amount tø
There is one commercial poultry ciple, the development of the inIn common with all other Eastern
of the total.
farm in the couhty, and except for dustry in this county is open to Oregon counties the number of 8.7%
Additional information on land
the spring season, eggs are shipped question.
farms in Grant County increased ownership is carried in Table D.
into the county from the outside to
sharply following the passage of
meet the needs of local consumpthe 1909 and 1916 Homestead Acts. Game Animals in Relation to
HOGS
tion. The value of chickens and
1920 showed a total of 728 farms. Domestic Livestock
Grant County does not produce Owing
eggs produced by the county in 1930
to the inexperience of many
was only $66,000. The value of all the pork it consumes. Consider- homesteaders and to the fact that Your committee is of the convicthat one of the most importable
fresh
pork
in
addition
to
a
chickens and eggs sold was $17,000
their holdings did not make econ- tionagricultural
problems facing
showing that the bulk of both large amount of cured, is shipped omic units, abandoment of home- ant
County in the next few years
chickens and eggs was consumed into the county. However, the vol- steads and combining of such prop- Grant
ume of product shipped into the erties with adjacent lands reduced is the working out of an approprion the farm.
The population of the entire county is hardly considered suffi- the total number of farms from '728 ate balance between wildlife and
county is about 6,000 people. It cient by the committee to justify in 1920 to 591 in 1925. The number the domestic livestock, which dowould be very easy to over-supply any great expansion of the indus- has risen in the last eleven years. ,mestic livestock make up some 87%
income of
local needs and create a surplus try to meet those particular de- Since 1920 there has been a very of the total agricultural
county. Forage eating game
market situation. That would be mands as the grain requirements sharp reduction in the number of the
worse than the present under sup- for the production of pork are high. farms ranging in size from 100 to animals constitute a natural reThe committee recommends that 1,000 acres but especially from 100 source of importance to the county,
ply condition. Commercial poultry
and Grant County stockmen are
flocks are closely associated with any expansion of the hog industry to 500 acres. During the same per- favorable
to maintenance of such
small acreage farms where inten- should be as a side line to the dairy iod the number of farms of 1,00
sive production is necessary to get industry. When pigs are not on acres and upward increased from a a game population as will not serialfalfa or similar pasture a good total of 144 in 1920 to 230 in 1930. ously jeopardize the revenue from
gross income.
The committee believes that there rule to follow is to keep one pig Here again we see the effect of ab- our basic livestock enterprises.
may be an economic need for more per cow. When pigs are on pasture, andonment of homesteads and their However, the unhampered increase
home table farm flocks or subsist- from two to three pigs can be kept being combined with older holdings. of deer especially has been so great
anee flocks on certain types of for each gallon of skim milk availThe improved land in farms has n recent years that we feel the welGrant County farms. Most of the able. Alfalfa will pasture approxi- changed only slightly in the last fare of livestock operators not only
poultry flocks flow on the farms are mately twenty pigs to the acre dur- twenty years, being not far from is being jeoardized but that the
not properly housed, fed, culled, or ing the pasture season. In addition 9 0,000 acres. Whereas almost ex- game population already has made
given efficient care. The aver- to the pasture it will require about I actly one-third of the total land serious inroads in the agricultural
age farm flock is too small a part 350 pounds of grain to produce one area of the county is in farms, only income and tax paying ability of
of the total farm enterprise to jus- hundred pounds of pork. This grain 3.1% of the land area is classified he county.
In principle we subscribe to the
tify much more care than it now will include some protein supple- as improved land in farms. Of this thought
that game animals well
ment and skimmed milk.
receives.
3.1% but slightly more than one- may be maintained
at such numbers
As long as Grant County pro- Recommendations
third of it is irrigated land.
that they are able to winter and
duces less eggs than it consumes,
It
is
clear
that
the
dependable
It is suggested by the committee tax in Grant County, namely the winter well on publicly-owned
the local price to growers (who do
have eggs to sell) is based upon that Grant County can profitably improved land in farms and especi- lands. The present game populaPortland prices plus the freight on produce enough hogs to consume all ally the irrigated land coming with- tion is far beyond the limits suginasmuch as all ranchers loeggs to Portland. Should an in- farm waste, including the skimmed in this classification, is very small gested
cated upon streams tributary to-the
crease in poultry result in produc- milk that is produced.
compared to the total land area.
caring a surplus of eggs above local In order to take care of the home This narrow tax base tends to be- John Day river find themselves
needs, the price will be lowered to market now supplied from out of come smaller as timber lands are rying large numbers of game
throughout the winter, the spring
the Portland price, minus transpor- the county sources, it is apparently
and summer months. Not only are
necessary to have more adequate
tation costs.
the feed supplies of these ranchers
TABLE A
Due to high freight rate on sup- slaughtering and storing facilities
plies into the county and high than are now available. This is 1926-1930 Average Cash Farm In- operating on their own lands seriously depleted but very great incharges to ship eggs out plus the particularly true if the county is to
come
jury is done to hay and to grain
general nature of agriculture in the supply all of the fresh pork now
Tabulated by the Oregon State crops not only by the feeding of the
county, it is probably best to re- shipped in.
Agricultural
College
Extension
Serdeer but by their trampling it under
The committee also believes that
main an under produced market.
foot.
The committee believs that there is a possibility of producing vice.
It goes without saying that the
Grant County producers cannot pro- more cured meat for use on the 1926-1930 Average Cash $2,360,000
Farm Income
numbers of livestock that operaduce eggs and ship to Portlanã in farms. The committee believes due Per Cent
From Sale of
tors are able to carry upos their
competition with western Oregon. tc, the relative ligher cost of proAll Crop Products ----13.5 own lands is reduced to a marked
It cannot ship to Baker economical- clueing pork beyond the require11.1
Field Crops
degree by this increase in game
ly for that market is usually low ments of the county, that any exTruck
Crops
population and hence automatically
pansion
in
this
enterprise
should
be
because of under grade eggs from
Tree Fruits and Nuts
the agricultural income of the
Idaho Cooperative Poultry Associa- made with caution. Such expansion
Small Fruits, Nursery,
county is being reduced.
tion and other interests. The com- should be based upon a cheap and
2.3
Your committee wishes to make
Greenhouse, etc.
mittee recommends that as a sub- adequate supply of feed. If it is
Per Cent From Sale of
it plain that it feels that there is a
sistance type of agriculture, the in- planned to sell additional pork loAll Animal Products: 86.5 very proper place for game animals
crease of home table flocks is wor- cally any expansion should be based
.6
Poultry and Eggs
in Grant County, that such game
thy of consideration, but that if upon a certainty that the local mar8.2
Dairy Products
makes up a very important natural
surplus eggs above local needs are ket will receive and utilize the inLivestock and Products* 775 resource, further, that livestock
produced the expansion would be creased production. The committee
Other Animal Products** .1 operators are favorable to closer
short-lived and unsound. There is believes that those who have been
some opportuntiy for a few individ- producing surplus pork and ship- *Includes cattle and calves, sheep cooperation with hunters andallwith
to
and lambs, hogs, wool, horses, sportsmen's organizations
uals to produce a quality egg and ping it to out of the county marthe end that a proper balance may
mohair.
cater to the home trade because the kets have no doubt developed this
ouality of many imported eggs is business on a basis of economical **Includes rabbits, fur animals, ke worked out between wildlife and
domestic stock.
honey.
frequently low as is the quality of production.
Page 8
GRANT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC CONFERENCE REPORT
Proposal for Regulating Animal
Numbers by Restricted Grazing
on Federally Controlled Lands
TABLE B
Agricultural Development
Number Av. Size Improved Land in Farms
Your committee has examined
of Farms
Acres per
the proposal of the National Co- Census All Land in Farms of
Acres
Farms
Acres
%
Acres
Farm
operative Council, passed at its last of
%
annual meeting and reading as fol- 1880
lows:
"The grazing use of land under
control of the Federal Government
should be controlled so as to regulate cattle and sheep production in
harmony with our market requirements and in the interest of maintaining more stable price structures
for these classes of livestock as well
as in the interest of protecting the
grazing lands from overstocking."
This resolution was offered by C.
A: Ewing, president of the National
Livestock Marketing Association,
with headquarters at Chicago. Were
it not for the voting power of those
regions apparently favorable to action along this line, your committee
would not give the proposal a second thought. Let us point out that
the public land states have a very
small proportion of the total beef
numbers in the entire nation. Even
in the public land states not all nor
nearly all the beef animals are
grazed on federal controlled lands.
The proposal thus would unload
upon a small percentage of the to-
tal beef population the necessity
for taking up the slack in livestock
iumbers for the entire county. The
1890
1900
1910
1920
1925
1930
1935
316,346
145,170
750,160
758,160
899,329
985,975
10.9
15.4
25.9
26.2
31.1
34.1
697
773
728
591
632
710
453.9
575.9
1,030.4
1,284.2
1,423.0
1,388.7
41,222
53,045
74,729
92,214
81,009
90,466
.47
3.7
1.5
1920
appeals to your committee as
1925
scarcely other than fantastic. How1930
ever, the National Cooperative
Council is a responsible national or- 20 to 49 Acres
1
.14
1.2
.1.1
10
12.3
12.9
5.1
6.6
17
10
2.2
2.9
1.6
32.9
32.7
37.7
12.2
17.6
21
16
29
2.9
2.7
4.6
112
73
69
1920
ganization of cooperative associa1925
tions and frequently has rsade its
1930
presence felt in national legislative
50 to 99 Acres
àffairs.
1920
The eUect upon sheep operators
1925
1930
trous as upon cattle since the public land states have a much larger 100 to 174 Acres
1920
proportion of the total numbers ot
1925
sheep than they do in the case of
1930
cattle. The state of Texas has no
federal land within its boundaries 175 to 259 Acres
1920
hence the other western states
to the fact that Texas with its
1925
1930
heavy population both of sheep and 260 to 499 Acres
1920
of cattle would not be affected.
1925
Proposed Increase of Forage
1930
Resources
500 to 999 Acres
1920
While your committee is disposed
to approve of the activities of the
agricultural administration in meet-
1925
1930
Acres
ing the truly desperate crisis of 1000 to 49991920
1933 and 1934, we are more than a
1925
little concerned at the probable ef1930
fect upon livestock operators of na-'
Over
tional legislation now about to be 5000 Acres and
1920
given effect. The announced inten-
tion of the administration under
1925
7v.
16.
.
tain balance between feed resources
and livestock numbers. Any distur-
bance of this balance can not but
affect favorably or otherwise the
welfare of livestock operatois, beef,
sheep and dairymen. We urge upon
the administration the absolute
necessity of so regulating the lands
*diverted from soil depleting crops
to pasture and forage crops that
the detrimental effect upon these
classes of livestock oneratovs may
not offset the beneficial effects to
producers of cotton, of corn, of
wheat
and other soil depleting
crOps.
The attention of your committee
has been drawn to a proposed plan
ath'nnced by the Baker County Agricultural Outlook Conference in
session March 10 and 11, 1936, and
providing for protection of the tax
revenue to the county and state inciental to the destruction of agri-
yet be a poor credit risk for the
reason that he can not show sufficient earnings from which to pay a
The activities of the Farm Credit
Administration have been reviewed
15.4
12.4
10.9
153.2
151.3
149.8
29.6
29.7
218.7
219.8
219.7
43.1
47.5
means should be simplified and that
some considerable extent the services of the Federal Land Bank are
212
110
104
29.1
18.6
16.5
364.6
364.4
369.5
37
46
166
149
143
22.8
25.2
22.6
710.9
716.8
695.7
55.5
53.3
123
152
200
16.9
25.7
31.6
1,972.73
1,975.1
1,958.5
115.7
116
2.9
4.1
4.7
.
13,405.4
12,101.1
11,686.4
briefly and in general your com-
mittee feels that the administration.
is to be commended for the activ-
ities in the field of agricultural finance. One reservation is made,
though. We feel that the operations
71
of the Federal Land Bank by all
the time necessary for making a
loan should and can be reduced. To
391.8
TABLE D
Land Ownership Grant County, Oregon
Source of date: Forest Statistics and 1935 census of Agriculture.
Tabulated by the Oregon State Agricultural College Extension Service.
Acres
% of County Area
Total County Area*
2,892,800
100.0
Privately Owned Land, Total
1,236,982
42.8
Land in Farms
985,975
84.0
Other Private Owned Land
251,007
8.7
Public Lands, Total
1,655,818
57.2
State Lands
16,715
.6
County Lands
9,690
.3
National Forest
1,397,389
48.3
Other Federal Lands
232,024
8.0
*The total area for the county as drtermined by this survey does not
always agree with hitherto accepted total area data.
cultural lands by dredging for gold.
The proposal of the Baker County
conference is that whoever engages
in the dredging operation be placed
under legal obligation to pay a stip.
materialize. One may have a sub-
27
25.6
6.6
4.4
Destruction of Land by Dredging
the anticipated earnings may not
71.8
73.9.
52
.
that a loan will be paid even though
loan.
76.4.
39
28
21
24
30
and not against any security that
may be possessed. Collateral is
called for solely as a guarantee
stantial showing of property and
1930
398.8
legislation passed early this month
is to replace 30,000,000 acres of Source of data: U. S. Census of 1920, 1925 and 1930. Tabulated by Ore"soil depleting crops" with an equal
gon State Agricultural College Extension Service.
area of "grasses and legumes" of
which there is alleged to be no sur-
plus. We point out for ydur consideration that there exists a cer-
irrigated land and the total land
area is as it is in Grant County.
Wheeler in 1899. Total area of county now is 2,892,800 acres.
Agricultural Credit
Source-U. S. Census of Agriculture, retabulated by 0. S. C. Extension
Borrowed capital is necessary in
Service from "Statistics of Agricultural Development in Oregon.
any livestock region for making
gains within a lifetime. It is not
the use of borrowed capital that is
TABLE C
to be condemned but the abuses
Trend in Size of Farms, Grant County, Oregon
that have occurred. It is. common
Av. Acres knowledge that during periods of
Number
% of All
Av. Acres Harvested substantial or high prices operators
of Farms
Farms
per Farm per Farm tend to over-borrow relative to the
equities they have in their own
All Farms, 1920
728
100
1,030.4
property.' It seems that such obli1925
591
100
1,284.2
74.2
gations must be liquidated for the
1930
632
100
1.423
81
most part during periods of lower
Under 3 Acres
prices, periods when liquidation fre1920
quently takes the orginal equities
1925
.of the borrowers.
1930
1.4
1
.22
It is worth while pointing out
3 to 9 Acres
that loans are extended primarily
1920
4
.55.
.5
against the earnings of a business
1925
4
.68
5.8
2.8
3
I
especially the relationship between.
59.1 Not only is the tax base narrowed
68.6 materially but the use of tributary
102.6 grazing lands is affected by this
156.0 destruction of hay and meadow
128.2 properties. It is obvious that the
127.4 effect is to raise the levies on the
13.0
11.9
10.0
12.2
9.0
9.2
1930
would he all the more injured owing
grant that the destruction of agricultural land augurs ill for the future especially when the relation
between improved land, and more
Note-Part of Grant taken with parts of Gilliam and Crook to form remaining tax payers.
proposal is so inequitable that it 10 tol9 Acres
would not be so sharp and so disas-
and place little confidence in it. We
weakened by the Ion; delay in getting loans through. It is the further observation of your committee
that Federal Land Bank loans do
not seem to be sufficiently related
to the character of the borrower.
Not only have loans been made to
individuals that other and better
acquainted credit institutions would
regard as hazardous, but loans have
been denied others of excellent
standing in their community and
whose properties would amply support the amount applied for.
Government credit under the
Farm Credit Administration is
more in name than effect as, with
the single exception of the so-called
"commissioner's loans" the emergency crop loans, funds loaned are
not government capital at all but
are derived from private sources
The Federal Land Bank obtains its
funds by the sale of its bonds to the
investing public and posts mortgages taken on farm lands as collateral to guarantee the payment
of these bonds. The Intermediate
Credit Bank obtains funds by the
sale of its notes or debentures to
the public. The bank for cooperatives and the production credit associations discount the notes taken
from cooperative associations and
individual farm borrowers with the
Intermediate Credit
Bank, thus
reaching the private money marThis fund would be invested and kets of the country. It is the conthe revenue therefrom used as an viction of your committee that the
offset for the tax revenue lost incidental to the dredging operation.
While your committee is sympaulated sum, say $100.00, into the thetic with the objective sought by
county treasury for each acre des- the Baker committee we doubt the
troyed fe agricultural purposes. constitutionality of the proposal
Farm Credit Administration should
so conduct its business that the in-
tegrity of the securities issued to
make funds available to agricultural borrowers may never be brought
to question.