OCR Text |
Show Pea Crop Was "Disappointing" Harvest of Utah's pea crop for canning is practically complete, but in the higher valleys of the state results were "almost discouraging discour-aging to the growers," according to A. W. Chambers, president of the Utah-Idaho canning crops association. as-sociation. Frost damage in Cache, upper Ogden valley, Morgan and Wasatch Wa-satch resulted in considerably lower yield than anticipated, while a good crop was harvested in Box Elder, Weber. Davis and Utah counties and the San Pete county crop was "fair." Mr. Chambers pointed out that in Cache valley, the 1945 season started as the most promising in many years, but because of the severe frost which struck June 14. the yield was light and the peas were of poor quality. Yield per acre last year was about 3500 pounds, while this year it drooped to an estimated 2300 pounds. The product last year graded top, and this year It probably will be much lower. He explained that the frost killed most of the first bloom and extended the canning season sev. eral days beyond the normal harvest har-vest period. This caused an increased in-creased vine growth which neces-sited neces-sited handling extra tonnage of vines per pound of shelled peas. A considerable hike in harvest labor cost was noted. However in the lower valleys, the crop was harvested under normal nor-mal conditions and the quality of product should be good. Condition of the bean crop Is ! termed much better and barring ! early September frosts, the har-j har-j vest should be cood and return j to growers excellent. |