Agricultural Productive Capacity 1955 South Dakota

Our agricultural resources have a strategic role to play in the present mobilization effort. Even a partial military mobilization calls for a large increase in food. Our population has increased by 20 million people since 1940. Our civilian per capita food consumption is up 13 percent, our agricultural exports are up 50 percent above the 1935-39 average and food surpluses have largely disappeared. Estimates of our agricultural productive capacity are needed to determine whether such capacity is great enough to meet future needs and to help the nation make wise decisions concerning such vital questions as these: 1. How much can agriculture produce to feed our growing population? Fight inflation? 2. How much should we curtail the manufacture of farm machinery, in order to build tanks and guns? 3. How much nitrogen should be withheld from agriculture and made into gunpowder? 4-. What draft policies should be followed with respect to farm labor? 5. What should be the attitude of Congress toward the various action and educational programs being supported by Federal funds? 6. What are the obstacles to maximum production in South Dakota? What changes are needed to overcome these obstacles