Farm Effort in 1942

One question on the lips of every landowner: “What can I do in 1942 to help win the war?” the answer is simple: “Achieve the war production goals set for your farm.” And to do this at a profit to yourself and family and without depleting your land, good production practices must be followed. Big increases in the oil-bearing crops, peanuts and soybeans, are needed to offset reductions in vegetable oil imported from the Orient.

Last year, Southern farmers grew 1,964,000 acres of peanuts; 5,000,000 acres have been requested by the government for 1942. And to insure fair returns to those who plant nuts this year, prices will be supported at 85 per cent of the comparable price as of the beginning of the marketing year (August 1), but in no event less than $82 per ton for U.S. No. 1 White Spanish type peanuts, $78 per ton for U.S. No. 1 Runner type peanuts, and $70 per ton for U.S. Class A Virginia type peanuts, delivered to an approved local receiving agency. Steps are being taken to assure than an adequate supply of peanut picking machinery will be available.

….

An increase in soybean production from 5,855,000 acres harvested for beans in 1941 to 9,000,000 acres in 1942, has been requested—a 54 per cent increase. To encourage the production of this acreage, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will support the price of the 1942 crop for oil at 85 per cent of the comparable price as of the beginning of the marketing year (October 1), but in no even less than $1.60 per bushel, farm basis, for U.s. No. 2 yellow soybeans of recognized varieties of high oil content.

….

More milk, meat and eggs are needed to (1) send our allies abroad, (2) feed our enormous armed forces, and (3) supply an unprecedented demand for these vitamin-rich foods among the civilian population. In requesting an increase in milk production in 1942 of 8 per cent over the big 1941 volume, the U.S. Department of Agriculture adds, “In no case is the production goal to be considered an upper limit in milk production.” In other words, produce all of the milk you can in 1942. The price of dairy products will amply justify the effort.

….

Hogs are always high in war times. Good prices and the Government guarantee last year sent hog process skyward last fall. [North Carolina farmers had increased the number of sows due to farrow this spring over 1941 by 30 per cent.]

….

An increase of 13 percent his year in egg production over last year is requested. Prices will be supported to insure good incomes.

…

Just as industry has been called upon by the government to change over from the manufacture of automobiles, refrigerators, radios, tires and countless other peacetime goods, to the production of airplanes, tanks, guns and other weapons of war; so is agriculture being asked to produce, in abundance, those commodities needed most in the war effort. With huge stocks of cotton, tobacco, wheat and corn already on hand, it would be folly in 1942 to waste valuable time, plant food and labor to add further to these surpluses, when our armies and our allies must have more milk, meat, eggs and vegetable oils. These products are agriculture’s airplanes, tanks and guns.

From The Southern Planter, March, 1942 issue. The article had no byline.