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Show PEP'PARD SERVICE October 15, 1927 Associated Beehive Seed Growers of the Uintah Basin. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE REPORT POR OCTOBER 10, 1927 Alfalfa seed production is expected tol be 20 to 25 per cent smaller than the comparatively large crop of last year, the U. S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics estimates the production at seed compared 42,000,000 to 45,000,000 pounds of country-ru- n with about 57,000000 pounds last year. The decrease this year is due in the main to the unusually heavy rainfall and unfavorable weather conditions which produced a slow maturing crop with a light setting of seed in many of the principle producing states. This condition was followed by unfavorable harvesting- - weather and early frosts in some districts. In the majority of principal producing states and districts production will be much less than last year, especially in Kansas, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Decreases are -- ifset only in part by increased production in Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The acreage for seed in the country as a whole was somewhat less than last year, but decreased yield in many of the important producing states was responsible for the smaller production. The average vield of 475 growers whose aggregate production last year amounted to of the total crop of the United States, was 180 pounds, compared with 190 pounds last year. In general, damage from: heavy frost in early September caused much greater loss than a year ago when the crop was generally earlier. Heavy winds doubtless caused much damage. La several states losses from chalcis fly, grasshoppers and other pests were reported greater than usual. Harvesting operations began earlier than last year 'in the majority of the Southwestern states; but started about a week later in Utah and in general averaged a few days later in the country as a whole. The average dates on which harvesting began, as reported by growers, some of whom cut first and others the second and third crops for seed, were reported as follows: southern Arizona and western Texas; August 4, eastern July 19-2New Mexico and southeastern Kansas, August 16-2western Kansas southern and northOklahoma, California, northeastern eastern Kansas, and northeastern Colorado, August 26, north cenwesttral California and southwestern Kansas, September ern Colorado, southern Idaho, northwestern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska, September 11-1Utah, eastern North Dakota, west central Minnesota, western South Dakota, and eastern Montana, eastern Colorado, western Montana, western September 17-2North Dakota, western Nebraska, northern Wyoming and northnortheastern Nebraska, western Minnesota, September 23-2eastern South Dakota, and Western California. In general rowing conditions were less favorable than last year. Of the total number of growers reporting, more than half of them indicated that growing and labor conditions were unfavorable. On the other hand, growers in western Nebraska, west one-seventee- 1, 0; 6-1- 5, 1; 6; J. G. Duchesne 0; ern Texas, northern and southern California and eastern New Mexico were almost unanimous in reporting favorable conditions. Likewise the quality of the seed was expected to be better than last year in these districts. In general, growers did not expect the quality of the seed to equal that of last year, which, however, was considerably better than the 1925 crop. Imports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1927, were larger than last year or the year before, and amounted to 5,133,700 pounds (not including 123,400 pounds to be permitted entry after staining.) compared with 4,548,300 in 1926; 4,782,500 in 1925; 12,818,400 in 1924; 8,784,000 in 1923 and a 17 year annual average imparts of 5,484,600 pounds. Canada contributed the bulk of the alfalfa seed imported to this country in the past fiscal year. The current crop in Canada is estimated by the Dominion government as about 1,200,000 pounds compared with the record crop of 8,400,000 last year. Production in Argentina is estimated about 26,000,000 pounds compared with 35,000,000 last year, which was probably the largest crop produced in that country. The European crop is expected to be slightly larger and the South African crop consider-abl- v smaller, than last year. Exports of alfalfa seed from the United States in the calendar year 1926 amounted to 741,546 pounds, compared with 1,332,-99- 2 in the calendar year 1925. UTAH Producticn cf alfalfa seed in Utah is estimated at 15.200,000 pounds of country-ru- n (machine-run- ) dr 13,500,000 pounds of clean seed compared with 17,300,000 pounds cf country-ru-n or 15,300,000 pounds of clean seed last year. The reduction was due mainly to lower yields in Millard county, caused mainly by chalcis flv damage and harvesting a large percetay of the crop while immature. Dropping of blooms (stripping) align reduced yields. In the Uintah Basin yields showed considerable variation ranging from poor to very good. Rain and winds caused tome reduction in the basin yields. The crop matured more slowly thaw last year and harvesting been about four days late . A light frost occured on September 11 at the time harvesting began in Millard county. Rains since then have retarded threshing. In Millard cotanty production is estimated at 7, 500, COO pounds of clean seed compared with 9,100,000 in 1926. Acreage for seed was greater in Uintah, Beaver, Iron, Box Elder and Emery counties. Because of uneven yields, production in the Uintah Basin is estimated at 3,800,000 pounds compared with 4,000,000 last year. Elsewhere in the state, production is estimated at about 2.200,000 pounds or about the same as last year. On September 27, growers were offered prices ranging mostly at $13.00 and $14.00. , IDAHO Approximately 6,00,000 pounds is estimated for Idaho compared with about 4,200,000 last year. This increase is due mostlv to greater yields per' acre as the acreage was reported (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) Seed Company Roosevelt Vernal |
