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Show Page 4 June 1971 UTAH FARM BUREAU o Wsihfs Conditions in Utah are favorable to the production of extremely fine quality fruits. Utah growers are increasing fruit tree plantings and are optimistic about the future demand for Utah quality fruit. Frost, labor and some other problems are forever present, but producers look forward to finding effective solutions. 1969 Utah producers received the following cash receipts from fruit productions: In Sweet Cherries Sour Cherries Apples Peaches Pears Other Fruits Total Receipts Muir - Roberts Packing Plant in Payson in operation. The belt in the right foreground grades apples according to size. The women working in the foreground are wrapping and packing those quality apples for shipping. $1,040,000 976.000 1,740,000 812.000 575.000 326.000 $5,963,000 These figures come from the U.S.D.A. Statistical Reporting Service. Immediately ah observer can see the impact of the industry on our Utah economy. The related obs, machines and equipment required to produce, sell and consume this volume of fruit is highly significant. As the outlook for fut- ure production improves andevenmoretreesare planted, our economy will be increased accordingly. It is the hope of the fruit growers that such problems as weather, labor, chemical sprays for control of disease and pests, marketing, processing and many other problems that make fruit a somewhat uncertain crop can be solved to enhance the economic benefits of the industry. Recently Mr. Ward Cooper of the American Farm Bureau Research staff visited Utah to review with the fruit growers some of the major problems confronting them. As a result of Mr. Cooper's visit several concepts became readily apparent, most of which are recognized and understood by fruitgrowers. Fruitgrowers understand the significance of maintaining acquaintances with other fruit growers throughout the nation. Leaders in fruit marketing business' are usually, known to most successful growers. In this way information about the damage to an area from frost or pests becomes From left: LeGrand Jarman, Utah Farm Bureau Staff, Ward Cooper, American Farm Bureau Staff, talk about fruitgrowers' problems with Don and Norman Rowley of Utah County. known and reflects in the marketing outlook in a particular area. While fruit is more perishable than most crops, other agricultural producers could do well to find a method of obtaining market and production information from throughout the industry. When such information is available producers will be better prepared to merchandise thecom-modit- y produced to maximize income. Without adequate storage facilities to preserve fruit for orderly marketing, many more marketing problems arise than would otherwise exist. As in other commodities when "field run" sales take place, to avoid storage for a better season, the price set in the market place is ofttimes lower than would otherwise be the case. Field run sales tend to reflect a lower quality product and take away from benefits that would be derived from promotion of area or state produced quality commodities. Such practices also tend to allow truckers and other buyers the edge necessary to purchase Jess Zollinger and Ward Cooper the American Farm Bureau Research Staff discuss the problems of fruit production and marketing in Mr. Zollinger's orchard. Left, of products something below the "going price." As a result, producers are inclined sometimes as individuals to pass on marketing problems and prevent more judgement favorable and orderly marketing from developing. It isn't always the volume sold that reflects the most profit but the profit per unit in relation tothetotal to be sold that is |