Publication Date

1963

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Nelson, J. H. (Professor of business)||Thistlethwaite, Robert L.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

College of Business

LCSH

Animal industry--Illinois--De Kalb County; Livestock--Breeding--Illinois--De Kalb County

Abstract

PROBLEM AND PURPOSE: The purpoee of thie investigation was to determine sane of the adjustments DeKalb County, Illinois livestock farmers would likely make to meet the prospective market demands expected by 1970. Prospective market demands and probable market changes expected in the decade ahead were determined and analyzed. Trends of basic crop production in acreage, yield, volume, and value of the major DeKalb County crops of corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, barley, hay, and vegetables were determined and analyzed. Trends of basic livestock production in volume and value of cattle, dairy cows, hogs, and sheep were determined and analyzed. METHOD AND PROCEDURE: Farm product demand and probable market changes were determined by reviewing and studying related literature, by interviewing agricultural marketing specialists, and by submitting a questionnaire to the leading chain stores located in the Chicago area. In analyzing farm product demands and probable market changes, five factors were investigated. These included national population growth, consumer demand for food, demand for livestock feed, demand for nonfood agricultural products, mod export demand. Facts mod data gathered were compiled, classified, and summarized. Demand projections were made to 1970. DeKalb County crop production data were gathered from the summaries of the Illinois Cooperative Crop Reporting Service and the United States Census of Agriculture for the years 1925 to 1961, Statistical data were compiled in tabular form on acreage, yield, volume, and value of corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, barley, and hay. Data on sweet corn and green peas were tabulated from Census reports for 1954 and 1959. Crop production data were presented in a series of simple line graphs. Historical trends provided a basis for Making a projection from 1961 to 1970. DeKalb County livestock production data were gathered from the summaries of the Illinois Cooperative Crop Reporting Service and the United States Census of Agriculture for the years 1925 to 1961. Statistical data were compiled in tabular form on volume and value of all cattle, dairy cows, sheep, and hogs. Livestock production data were presented in a series of simple line graphs. Historical trends provided a basis for making a projection from 1961 to 1970. Following the determination and analysis of demand and production trends, projections were made, conclusions were drawn, and recommendations were made based on the research findings. BRIEF SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: The conclusions show that the demand for farm products is expected to increase approximately 17.5 percent by 1970. Various demand increases projected to 1970 are: food, 11.9 percent; diet-upgrading, 3.5 percent; barter and surplus disposal, .7 percent; and exports, .7 percent. Nonfood use demand is expected to decrease .7 percent by 1970. Population growth is the Major factor in creating demand for farm products. Another important conclusion la that the consumer desires tender and flavorful cuts of meat from highly muscular beef, hog, and lamb carcasses free of excess fat. To meet consumer demand, the farmer needs to market a 900 to 1150 pound beef animal, a 200 to 230 pound hog, and an 85 to 95 pound lamb. Per capita consumption of beef and poultry is expected to increase by 1970 while consumption of pork and lamb is expected to decline. DeKalb County farmers are expected to operate fewer but larger farms by 1970. Corn, soybeans, and vegetables are expected to become increasingly important while oats, barley, wheat, and hay become leas important. Per acre yields of all crops are expected to increase. Beef cattle and hogs are expected to increase in importance while sheep and dairy cattle numbers decline on DeKalb County farms.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations.||Page enumeration skips numbers 105 and 130.

Extent

vii, 155 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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