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Show What to expect 'down on the farm' in the brand-neyear w Utah agriculturalists can expect modest growth in the farm economy over the next year, says DeeVon Bailey, Utah State University Extension marketing specialist. Speaking recently at the annual Utah Agricultural Outlook conference during a state satellite broadcast from Utah State University, Bailey said most of the states agriculture sector continues to show strength. Broadly defined, the agriculture industry includes primary producers such as farmers and ranchers, transportation firms, marketirg entities, processors, and a host of support industries. Primary producers in general have experienced a good year and the financial condition continues to improve with Utah experiencing one of the lowest ratios in the United States, Bailey said. debt-to-as-s- et Even so, there still are areas of concern. For instance, the drought in the northern portion of the state continues. Serious problems likely will occur this summer if more moisture is not received now in the form of snow, says Bailey. There also are many uncertainties about the future direction of U.S. agriculture, he said. A new president is establishing his own agenda for agricul in- exists is in the production of fine come. Increases in production per wools. Lamb prices may strengthen tunities, said Bailey. Whatever cow has averaged around 2 perdirection is selected by the new cent peryear, with sales increas- during 1993 as compared to 1992, administration, it appears cer- ing at about 1 percent per year. but the prospects for a msgor intain that the future of U.S. agri- This leads to a need for continued crease in price is low because culture rests, to a large extent, on reductions in cow numbers for increased supplies ofother meats will be produced during 1993, he our ability to capture and hold maintaining prices. said. domestic and foreign markets for at has total Though product WHEAT our products. least been maintained in most Here is a summary of what areas, increases in the percentDespite the drought, the proUSU Extension economists say age of all production have oc- duction of hard red winter wheat the Utah agricultural industry curred in the southern plains, is up 19 percent in Utah, says farm-- , can expect in 1993: mountain, and pacific regions, he Larry Bond, Extension MILK management specialist. said. Acreage remains at about the All other regions have declined Expect milk prices to be the The latest same or slightly lower than prices in market share, said Bailey. same level as 1991-9in 1992, says Jay C. Andersen, The rapid growth of production yield estimates, however, suggest public-polic- y in the west has strong implica- an average of43 bushels per year. specialist. This is up from 36 bushels during milk It appears production is tions for Utah producers. the 1991-9- 2 growing season. Utah to more normal MEAT levels returning Expect beef and other meat millers currently are paying $3 . 60 wheat, production to keep pace with to $3.66 for as for as and $4.05 added high protein This population growth. production will keep pressure on levels of 13 percent meat prices in 1993, says Darwin Bond said the outlook for the B. Nielsen, coming production year is a little ture in a atmosphere charged by consistent with prices and world trade tensions and oppor- . 2. ranch-manageme- nt uncertaia The lack of moisture in the intermountain area this specialist. Lower costs for feed, corn, oil meals, and forage, however, will hold down production costs which will partially offset lower product prices, he said. As ofJan. 1, it is estimated that the beef cow inventory is near 34.5 millionhead. This is about 2 percent larger than a year earlier. With continued 1 to 2 percent annual growth, the beef-coherd could reach 36.5 millionhead for an 8 percent inby 1996-9crease in five years, Nielsen said. As more heifers enter the cow herd over the next few years, the annual calf crop could increase 2 to 2.5 percent per year. By the p middle of the decade, annual size may peak near 42 million head. This is compared to a 1992 calf crop of 39.5 millionhead. Bailey said U.S. beef exports are projected by theUnited States Department of Agriculture to increase by 10 percent in 1993. This primarily is due to increased shipments to Japan and Korea Beef tariffs in Japan will decline by 50 percent on April 1, Bailey said. A weak dollar also has made U.S. beef a good buy in past growing season was critical. Some growers held off planing inhopes of sufficient moisture for germination, thenfinally dusted in their wheat, said Bond. The crop has not had time to develop properly and a cold winter could increase susceptibility to winter kill as well as reduce yield potential. w HAY Alfalfa remains Utahs largest crop, having more than 400,000 7, acres in production each year, Bailey said. Little change in price is expected for alfalfa hay producers in Utah from last year. Historically, prices are somewhat higher in the southern part of the state. That trend is likely to continue. Bailey said premium alfalfa hay prices should average around $90 y hay should per ton. sell for about $75 per ton. FEED GRAINS The price for feed grains probably will be weak, compared to 1992 prices, Godfrey said. This pessimistic view is based primarily on the record levels of production expected, he said. While the production of feed grains is expected to increase, use also is expected to increase to record levels. Much of this increase is the result of the increased number of turkeys, broilers, hogs, and beef. It must be remembered, however, that the United States is not the only country that produces feed grains. Ending stocks of feed grains in the world also are expected to increase. Conseproduction quently, world-wid- e and use also suggest that low prices will occur during 1993, he calf-cro- Good-qualit- the Pacific Rim. FRUIT This past growing season saw the third season of a serious drought. Despite this, most fruit trees experienced an unusually heavy fruit set this year, says Tony Hatch, Extension fruit specialist. No one can recall a growing season that set such a large number of fruit, especially on tart cherry trees, he continued. A heavy June drop was expected to cause much of the excess fruit to fall naturally, but the J une drop didnt materialize. This resulted in fruit, especially in the stone fruits. Hatch said this past growing season produced one of the best apple crops in recent years, although prices have been disappointing. Heavy production in Utah, Washington, and increased competition from New Mexico and Arizona have exerted downward pressure on prices, he said. This is expected to continue throughout the storage season. SHEEP Lamb and wool prices continue to be depressed, said Bruce Godfrey, Extension specialist. Sheep production in Utah has been a low- - or negative-profenterprise the past several years, he said. Numerous reasons can be given for this position, but prime among the factors is the prices received for the products smaller-than-norm- farm-manageme- nt it produced. The price oflambs, for example, has varied over time, but the late 1980s and early 90s represent years when prices have been most Let us help you make your wedding easy and save you money in the process. We can help you to send out your announcements in an easy and inexpensive manner. In a fraction of the time that it will take you to hand address your invitations, you can make your selections from our list. The. cost is 190 for each one you select from our list and only 230 for ones that you hand address. We mail anywhere in the United States. Come in today and see Allan and find out how you can take the har0 work out of your wedding and save money too! up-to-da- Wbz te imej&'Wjetois 96 South Main, Nephi, Utah Call today Q 623-052- 5 said. al Economist with the United States Department of Agriculture say they expect the farm price of com to be in the $1.85 to $2.25 per bushel range throughout the 1992-9- 3 marketing year, while barley prices, the primary grain grown in Utah may be as much as a dime higher than the expected price of com. TURKEYS Turkey consumption is down, Godfrey said. This is the first year this has occurred since the rapid increases in consumption began in the mid 1980s, he continued. The existence ofplentiful quantities of other meats available at competitive prices, particularly pork, has kept downward pressure on turkey prices. Godfrey said the brightest hope for increase use of turkey is in the export market. Exports of turkey are expected to reach an e high of nearly 140 million pounds during 1993. Most of these shipments will be to Mexico, which has imported nearly 60 percent of the turkeys exported from the United States. Utah producers have the possibility of capturing some of this growth with an active marketing program, because the cost of shipping birds to Mexico from Moroni should be less than most other parts of the country, said all-tim- unfavorable. Godfrey said there is no time during the 1960-9- 1 period that lamb prices have been as poor relative to calves. Thi s is the primary reason why sheep operators in Utah and throughout the nation have either gone out of business or Godfrey. switched to cattle. Overall, however, Utah turkey producers most likely will conLamb, and especially wool tinue to face narrow profit prices, will continue to be de- margins throughout 1993, even pressed in the foreseeable future. with the low grain prices that are The only place where some hope expected. From page three Wildlife feeding. and wind erosion, and increased provide ready-to-efoods at snow catch. regular intervals. Unlike the food The food patch: This is an patch, the only effort required by area or strip ofgrain or row crops wildlife is to reach the feeder. Emergency feeding: This inintentionally left unharvested in a field to provide winter food. To volves bringing the food to aniprovide the maximum benefit, mals. Wildlife are found in an food patches should be at least emergency situation and the one acre in size, square shaped grain, corn, or hay is trucked in (208 feet by 208 feet) and located or air dropped a frequent intervals where needed. near cover such as trees or Of these methods, modifying wetlands. cultural practices, food patches, The station: This and g stations are the is an area set aside in the fall to best options under all conditions. at - cattail-- covered self-feedi- self-feedin- k |