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Show Ag thriving Agriculture is Iron County is not a thing of the past in Iron County, despite the fact that many people who aren't directly involved in agriculture would say otherwise. According to Utah State University Extension Ex-tension Agent Lynn J. Esplin, "agriculture is a thriving, growing enterprise." en-terprise." The latest agriculture census just published provides the following interesting figures: The number of farms in Iron County rose 3.56 percent. Total cropland has risen nearly 10,000 acres, a 15.03 percent interest. Harvested cropland increased somewhat less, 9.2 percent. In addition, the total dollar amount for agricultural products sold increased from $11,715,000 in 1974 to $15,364,000 in 1978, an increase of 31.15 percent. In addition, Esplin noted that alfalfa hay production is becoming the major cash crop in Iron County. "Most of this hay is either baled or cubed and shipped to California or Japan." he said. "In 1978 31,170 acres of land was used to produce alfalfa compared to 24,982 acres in 1974, an increase of 24.76 percent in just four years," Esplin said. Most of the 15 million plus dollars received by farmers in 1978 for agriculture products sold came from outside Utah, said Esplin. "They are new dollars which contribute con-tribute to healthy economic conditions in the area." |