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Show West Should Hold Markets By Grading By Director William Peterson U. S. A. C. Extension Service Because prices of agricultural commodities have been lower in. recent months than in previous years, there is a decided tendency for the producers to be a little careless about the quality of their products. The producer may reason that because he is not receiving s high price, careful grading is not demanded. Competition is going to be keener now than during periods of high, prices, and it is careful, standard grading that has made an inviting market for the fruit and vegetables produced on the farms of the state. Director W. A. Lloyd, in charge f extension service work in the eleven western states, has recently called attention to an article which appeared in The Michigan Farmer under date of April 2, 1932: It reads as follows: "In recent years Michigan producers pro-ducers have been losing their markets to western business farmers. far-mers. The low grade, unattractive, poorly prepared products of the eastern farm have failed to hold its own with the more carefully grown standardized products of the west. Our egg, fruit, potato, bean, and vegetable trade has slipped away to an extent little dreamed of two decades ago. Can we again win the hearts of the consumers at our door? That will not be an easy task. Western producers pro-ducers have captured the eastern consumer by the merit of their products. We will regain that trade only by means Used to get it from us. The longer we wait to recover it the more deeply will our competitors be intrenched. We should begin this year to put all che quality in our products that we can. This will mean more careful production and marketing. To many it may seem foolish to talk quality .jri. times of depression, depres-sion, but in these times buyers are choosers and to secure their attention your product must make its appeal." Mr. Lloyd says that the moral from the Michigan paper is so apparent that it does not need emphasis; however we are not only working for stabilized markets mar-kets but for well-groomed products pro-ducts in Utah. Those farmers who are greater in then- vision as to what the future promises, will be more careful than ever in "seeing to it that the products offered from Utah farms are . of the highest quality. Other areas have met unusual grades by thinning their fruits; by careful spraying and fertilizing; by seeing to it that every vegetable offered for sale is of the quality represented. The man who' rigidly follows this policy will have a market for his products. |