ECONOMIST URGES FARMERS TO
-4.00K TO FUTURE MARKETS
There is nothing yet in the pic
~ture to warrant pessimism about
•the Alaska agriculture outlook
for 1954, Hugh Johnson, head of
the Agricultural Economic de
partment for the University of
Alaska Experiment Station of
Palmer, told the annual extension
conference at the University last
week.
He predicted, however, a
wholesale milk price war is com
ing eventually and dairymen
must prepare for it.
Johnson said the station has
just started what amounts to
—outlook work in Alaska. He ex
plained the first attempt was
•made last summer when it pre
-dicted a large potato crop and
•marketing difficulties.
“The situation was reported
through Jim Wilson’s Department
—of Agriculture Market News let- ,
ters but apparently no one be
lieved the report.” Johnson said.
■“Nothing concrete was done by
farmers and their marketing
groups until the potatoes were
-being dug. No marketing pro
gram was started until four
months after it should have been
—done. I mention this example for
two reasons: it shows what can
be done and it also demonstrates
■that I personally may have been
•negligent in not getting out and
•Seating the drum.”
Johnson explained that more
- eggs, milk, corn, feed graifcs and
—cotton were raised in the States
*<n 1953 than almost ever before.
jHe said prices of potatoes were
—distressingly low. Per capita in
—come is off and so is industrial
-output.
“We should not close our eyes
•to these indicators,” Johnson
warned. “They are bound to have
—some effect on surplus marketing,
■■particularly if the price support
•program is reduced drastically.
“I don’t look for a decrease in
—returns for fresh milk in 1954”,
•he added. “That market is far
from saturated yet and I don’t
•think Stateside wholesalers are
■quite ready to start a price war
with us. But this is coming and
we must help dairymen prepare
for it.”
He added that the outlook for
production costs in Alaska dur
ing 1954 is for little change from
last year. The seven and one-half
increase in freight rates will off
set most savings that might be
made in feed prices, costs of
equipment and other items. The
price of fertilizer already is great
er than it was last year. Labor
will cost as much as last year,
at least, and will be of no better
quality. Seed is about the only
production cost that is less than
a year ago, Johnson continued.
“Our dairymen and potato
growers are particularly vulner
able,” Johnson warned. “They ;
provide the bulk of our agricul- i
tural income and they are the
high cost producers. I am unpop
ular when I hint that this group,
particularly, must prepare for se
vere competition. They must get
their costs down in the very near
future or they will be fighting for
their economic lives.”
He explained that he doesn’t
think dairymen will be “too much
affected for another year er so,
but I am not so confident for
potato growers. One good sign in
our favor is a prospective drastic
cut in Stateside potato acreage.
If yields are average or lower,
NEAT ON THE JOB!
' Neatness really counts on
the job! Customers like to
do business with men
whose clothes are clean
and fresh. You can depend
on Brown's to do a first
« class cleaning and pressing
, job on your clothing.
BROWN’S SHOP
we probably will have a chance
to mend marketing fences for an
other year.-Our agriculture must
sell itself. It must meet compe
tition on the basis of quality,
price and availability. Some way
must be found to get this idea
across and then help the farm
ers make necessary adjustments.”
Milk Production Raising
Johnson said the production
outlook shows a continued rise
in milk production. Indications
are the Matanuska Valley dairy
men plan to increase their milk
ing herds. Other indications are
a prospective decrease of 15 to
20 per cent in potato acreage.
He explained this land will go
into oats and peas, small grains
for feed, a small increase in vege
tables other than potatoes and
some land will remain idle.
Matanuska Valley egg produc
tion information indicates there
will be a small increase in lay
ers, Johnson said.
Keep Military Contracts
Johnson said the military con
tracts for potatoes must be kept
if at all possible. It also will be
necessary for potato growers to
continue the good public relations
they began last fall. He said he
hopes the Extension marketing
program can help small produc
ers realize a greater return from
their small acreages.
‘‘There is nothing in the pic
ture yet to warrant pessimism in
in 1954”, Johnson continued.
“Competition on potatoes and
eggs probably will be no great
er than has been experienced be
fore. Our efforts should be spent
toward encouraging greater pro
duction of qualify farm products,
toward reduced production costs
and toward continued greater ac
ceptance by Alaskan families,”
he concluded.
MISS FARM. TO
PRESENT STUDENT
CONCERT SUNDAY
Several local and Anchorage
voice students will be heard Sun
day afternoon, April 4 when Mar
ita Farell’s student concert will
be presented at the Church of
God at 5:15 p.m.
The public is cordially invited
to attend the concert when the
Misses Pat Turner, Carol Colberg,
Neola Sandvik, and Esther Peder
son will be presented along with
Mrs. Jesse DeVries, all of Pal
mer.
Also appearing will be Anch
orage singers Miss Vaigene Wood,
who was presented in a concert
in Palmer last year; Mel Mun
son, who also appeared in last
year’s concerts and is taking part
in the Kiwanis 1954 minstrel
show; and Miles Brandon, who
several years ago won a free trip
to New York at the Valley Fair.
He is also one of the soloists in
the Anchorage Chorus.
William Covey of Anchorage
will accompany the students from
that city. Miss Dolores Mattila
will accompany Palmer students.
There will be no admission
charge and a reception will fol
low the concert.
r
COMMUNITY
CALENDAR
THURSDAY. APRIL I
AMERICAN LEGION & AUXIL
IARY, Legion Bldg., 8 p.m.
MATANUSKA SPORTSMEN
Turkey dinner, Moose Hall, 5
8:30 p.m.
MAT. VALLEY HEALTH COUN
CIL, Co-Op club room, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY. APRIL 2
PALMER SCHOOL CONCERT,
School gym, 8 p.m.
BETA SIGMA PHI STYLE
SHOW, Elks Home, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY. APRIL 3
M.E.A. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
MEETING. Palmer School Gym
7:30 p.m.
MONDAY. APRIL 5
BETA SIGMA PHI, Home of
Betty Rice, 8 p.m.
KIWANI6 CLUB, Co-Op club
room, 12:05 p.m.
CARD PARTY, St. Michael’s
basement, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, APRIL 6
LUTHERAN LADIES AID
BOY SCOUTS, United Protes- j
tant Church, 7 p.m.
MASONIC LODGE. Carpenters’
Hall, 8 p.ra.
P-TA Executive meeting
MATANUSKA SKI CLUB, Co- |
Op club room, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 7
MATANUSKA SPORTSMEN,
Club quarters, 8 p.m.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Co
LITTLE LEAGUE;
PONY LEAGUE MEETS
MONDAY NIGHT
There will be an adult meet
ing for the local Little League
and Pony League on Monday eve
ning,, April 5, 8 p.m., at Moose
Hall, Bill Fogg, Little League
president announced this week.
All adults, interested in either or
both leagues are invited to at
tend the meeting.
It has been indicated that
around 30 boys have already sign
ed up for Pony League play. This
will be the first season for Pony
League and all boys aged 13 to
15, inclusive, are eligible to play.
However, many of these boys
have not yet turned in their per
mission forms and are asked to
do so as soon as possible.
SORORITY TO MEET AT
HOME OF BETTY RICE
Betty Rice, president of Theta
Chapter,. Beta Sigma Phi, will
be hostess at her home for the
regular meeting of the sorority
to be held Monday evening,
April 5.
All members are urged to attend.
Op club room, 12:05 p.m.
LADIES AID, United Protestant
Church
THURSDAY, APRIL 8
NORTHLAND PIONEER GRAN
GE, Grange Hall, 8 p.m.
MATANUSKA AIRMENS AS
SOCIATION, Co-Op club room,
8 p.m.
SPRING IS HERE!
So are the new spring fashions
in
COSTUME JEWELRY
We also have a large assortment
of
Souvenirs and Knick-Knacks
CLARA’S VARIETY
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AU Purpose Specials
PRINT AND INLAID
LINOLEUM - al Big Savings
RED. GREEN, YELLOW, BLUE, GREY
; DRAIN BOARD COVERING
3 PATTERNS
NUMEROUS PATTERNS AVAILABLE
CARPETING
CONGO WALL COVERING
OVAL BRAID RUGS - THROW RUGS
Brady's
FLOOR COVERING
330 4TH AVE. DIAL 46481
Matanuska Electric Association
Directors Election April 3rd
M E A NEEDS A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT
For an Efficient Board of Directors, Elect the Following Men
JOHN WEISENBERGER - Sheet Metal Shop Owner
MARVIN SLAUGHTER - Engineer in charge Geol. Survey
WALT PIPPEL - Vegetable Farmer
PHIL O’NEILL - Proprietor, Alpine Inn
Recommended by
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
Motor - in - Service
GENERAL REPAIRS ~ WELDING
GAS & OIL
Harry Duff Phone 65J11 Bert Duff
ALASKA RAILROAD TRAIN SCHEDULE
Northbound
Read Down
7:30 a.m.
12:01 pan.
Each Thursday
Lt. Seward Ar.
Ar. Anchorage Lt.
Southbound
Read Up
8:05 pan.
3:30 p.m.
ANCHORAGE. McKINLEY A FAIRBANKS
Mon„ Wed.. FrL. Northbound — Tues., Thurs., Sat.. Southbound
8:30 a.m.
12:50 pan.
4:36 pan.
8:30 pan.
Ar.
Lt. Anchorage
Lt. Curry Lt.
Lt. McKinley Lt.
Ar. Fairbanks Lt.
ANCHORAGE AND WHITTIER
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
8:15 pan.
4:10 pan.
12:26 pan.
8:30
3:00 pan.
Lt. Whittier Ar.
Lt.
11:45 aan.
9:30
5:05 pan. Ar. Anchorage - .
Call Your ALASKA RAILROAD Agenl for
Information
‘■‘It’s the ]/\[citer’’
that makes
the difference
The never-changing quality
of Olympia Beer is made possible by
the consistency of the
rare brewing water from our
famous artesian wells.