The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1921-06-02
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1haI the farm Bureau Is beginning
to function in manner which will get
results for its members, is being dem
onstrated in the progress made toward
fixing the grades on hay and in assist
ing in marketing the commodity.
For some time the hay producers of
the Yakima valley have been consider
ing the question of hay grades. To
this end they have held community
farm bureau meetings at various plac-
es in the valley; representatives have
been sent to conferences with State
Director of Agriculture, E. L. French
and joint meetings of producers, con-
sumers and dealers have taken place.
Early in these conferences, the pro-
ducers were able to agree upon set
of grades which to them seemed to
best serve the interests of all con-
cerned, and they have stood as unit
for these grades during all the time
they have been up for consideration.
At the meeting in Yakima, May 9,
last, when the producers and dealers
met with Director of Agriculture,
French, at his suggestion, and re-
quest, the producers presented the hay
grades as agreed upon by them and
defended these grades against the at
tacks made upon them by the dealers.
The dealers contend that more grades
should be added to the list presented
by the producers in order that the hay
might be more successfully market
ed to the consumers. In Difference to
these requests of the dealers and an
occasional producer who claimed to be
able to produce and deliver hay prac-
tically 100 per cent pure, the produc-
ers included the so-called "Choice"
grade not provided for in the list of
grades submitted by them, with the
provision that this choice grade should
include only hay SO per cent pure.
To answer the further contentious
of the dealers, that the consumers
would not buy the hay on the grades
as presented by the producers, Direc-
tor French asked for conference
with the producers, consumers and
dealers, jointly, at Seattle on the 25th
inst. At this meeting all the classes
above named were represented and,
from the voting and remarks made, it
was apparent that the consumers as
body intend to cooperate with the
producers in handling of their hay.
The list of grades as presented by
the producers, including the Choice
grade above mentioned, is as follows.
Choice. Choice alfalfa hay shall
be alfalfa hay SO per cent pure, with
no trace of foxtail, of good clean,
natural color, sound, sweet and we'll
baled. No discount.
No. 1. Natural Green. Leafy, not
over 10 per cent tame grass or grain
hay or other foreign grasses includ-
ing not over 5 per cent cheat or other
wild grasses, or combination of other
grasses named, and including not over
2 per cent worthless content with less
than 1 per cent thistles. without more
than trace of foxtail not over 5
per cent bleached. Sound, sweet and
well baIed. No discount.
No. 2. Fair color. Not over Is
to 25 per cent tame grasses or grain
hay including not over 10 per cent
cheat or other wild grasses, per cent
worthless content with less than 5 per
cent thistles and 1 per cent foxtail;
allowed 5 per cent to 25 per cent
bleached. Sound, sweet and well
baled. Il per cent discount for each
per cent of worthless content from 8
per cent to 10 per cent?
All those connected with our hay
marketing problems appreciate the
interest taken by Director French in
attempting to arrive at an equitable
solution of these questions And,
while he has not yet rendered any de-
cision relative to hay inspection or
fixing of hay grades, we believe he
will give careful consideration to all
matters relative thereto presented to
him and will render such decision as
shall to him seem fair to all concerned.
From our observations at the var
ious meetings and conferences above
referred to, we believe that the major
ity of those interested in producing,
selling and consuming of hay have
reached certain conclusions, among
which are the following.
1. That hay should be inspected at
the loading point only and that the
grades then made should follow the
hay to the consumer.
2. That all grading of hay should
be most carefully done to the end that
producers, dealers and consumers may
he properly protected. ... ...rs a..-.