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Show ALFALFA CROP M0VESSL0WLY DECLINE IN" PRICE LEADS PRODUCERS PRO-DUCERS TO H6U); FORTY PER CENT OF SEED SOLD TO DATE. Marketing of Utah's alfalfa seed crop, calculated to be approximately approximate-ly 22,500,000 pounds the largest in history is progressing slowly, duo to a recent unexpected decline in the market which resulted in a tendency on the part of the producers produ-cers to withhold from immediate selling. A survey made November 17, by the department of agriculture brought out that only forty per cent of this year's crop had left the hands . of the producer. Last year on the same date, the movement to market mar-ket had been sixty per cent of the total production. For Utah, the proportion pro-portion marketed was even less, and is figured at thirty-five per cent. The alfalfa seed market in Utah opened at around 15 cents, but did not remain long at that level. The drop in price gave rise to holding and now producers are indulging in a semi-speculative venture, though the outlok is favorable to them. Early season reports by the department depart-ment forecast about five per cent increase in alfalfa seed production for this year. This was not looked upon as alarming, inasmuch as the demand for alfalfa seed Is growing constantly. Last year slightly more than half of the alfalfa seed had been moved at this time. The east and middle west have to assert their demand for Utah alfalfa seed. It is expected that more alfalfa will be planted through Wisconsin and the grain states the coming spring than for several years. Some producers are seeking to es-- f tablish direct contact with consumers consum-ers in the seed-using states of the east, hoping thereby to obtain better bet-ter than market prices. The situation in alfalfa seed is Similar to that existing in wool last spring. There was no marker for wool, yet through the gloom came the assurance that wool was "stat-isticaly "stat-isticaly strong" a trade expression meaning that the supply is' not out of balance with the demand. Those who look at the situation in this light feel confident that the price will come back before spring. t |