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First he can cut production by betting out of broilers or reducing his numbers. But that's what growers did last year, and in February and March. Virginia’s entire broiler industry lost soiree of its good markets. j
Virginia processors couldn’t fill their orders because of the shortage of local birds. Southern broiler areas got those markets because their growers didn’t cut back near as much.
The grower’s second choice is to put out his chicks, but protect himself from losses. The competition from down south does this with a contract guaranteeing the grower a profit even when prices are low, if he does a good, efficient job.
Some of Virginia’s l»ger contractors are changing to this guarantee and feed conversion type contract. _
CATTLE
Prices at Virginia’s first three feeder calf sales were about $1 above the same three sales last year.
Steers 350 to 600 pounds, good, choice and fancy grade, averaged $22 to $24.50. The same grade of heifer calves brought $16.50 to $18.50, or 5 to 7 cents less. . For farmers in the market for feeders, heifers look like a good bet. They can be bought 5 to 7 cents below steers, but the difference is only about 2 to 4 cents when the animals come to slaughter, *
Also, heifers finish faster and at lower weights. They can be ready by the April-May period next spring, when prices for choice slaughter, stuff usually peak, ,
But be sure you buy heifers that wiH grade out choice, and be sure you have a local outlet. There is still discrimmination among some • meat users against heifer meat.
If you have grass-fed slaughter stuff that is ready for market, bet■ ter unload some of it, even with grass good.
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