Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 2, Number 45, DeMotte, Jasper County, 23 March 1933 — POULTRY FACTS [ARTICLE]

POULTRY FACTS

POULTRY BUSINESS HARD TO COUNT ON Producers Should Not Grow Too Optimistic. By H. H. ALP, Poultry Extension Specialist College of Agriculture. University of Illinois.--WNU Service. Just as some poultrymen were too pessimistic a year ago, some of them may be too optimistic now. Prospec tive flock owners should not get over enthusiastic on the basis of profitable egg prices during the last months of 1932. Poultry and eggs bring in more than 11 per cent of the millions in Illinois cash farm income, which explains why good egg prices should be hailed with optimism. However, there is little rea son why flock owners as a group should adopt a general expansion pro gram. Undoubtedly, for some an in crease in size of flock, buildings and equipment would be justifiable. How ever, any marked increase in the poul try business should depend largely upon the availability of a good mar ket, other farm activities, the experiences of the operator and the relative importance of poultry to other farm enterprises within the area. Probably the best plan for most people during the year would be to follow a normal procedure and do the best possible. The “in and outer” has seldom made money. What poultry prices will do during the coming year is problematical. Any wild optimism at this time would be as foolish as the loose think ing and foolish pessimism of a year ago. At that time egg prices in Feb ruary, March, April, May and June caused many people to become uniwisely discouraged. They decided to quit their interest in poultry and drift along. Consequently, when egg prices reached the profitable level, only those flock owners who had maintained their interest were prepared to take advantage of the situation.