Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-01-14
Idaho 1920 Crop
Value 94,64S,Sl7
ON DECEMBER /. 1919 WHEAT
LEADS, HAY SECOND AND
BEETS THIRD

Released by Julian III. jacobson
statistlean of the Idaho crop report-
ing service, state capitol building
Boise. Idaho.
idahos twenty principal crops
produced in 1920 represented a total
value of $94 4,64S,S17 as based or
prevailing prices December / This
ls$26, ,SS4,250 less than the value oi
the same crops year ago, which
totaled 1888. .067, and indicates
~ per cent shrinkage in value in
one year although the harvest was
the most abundant in the states his
,ory, with five crop breaking re
cofds. The area devoted to the sew
ehteen major crops (fruils omitted)
was 2.499,650 acres in 1920 COM
pared with 2,39S,537 acres in 1919,
indicating an increase of per cent,
or lUI,ll3 acres. Such increases
can be expected in this state where
new areas are being brought under
cultivation annually. 1t is interest
ing to note that the average value
per arce on the above acreage was
s37.S6, while in 1919 it was s50.67.
or 70 per cent greater
Compilation OF the data shown IN
the accompanying table Is made pos
sible by the efficient cooperation of
the crop reporting committees that
have been organized in each county
farm bureau Of the state. Cores
pondents frequently noted that
while the prices they reported were
market prices,' still here was very
little buying at the prices named
The total wheat crop, winter and
spring combined. is now estimated
at 23,60O,0OO buhels. 1t is the larg-
est crop on record, yet Its value is
nearly ten million dollars less than
last years crop, which totaled only
19,O75,000 bushels. The average
price of wheat in Idaho December /
was S1.25 per bushel against s2.O5
year ago. Wheat leads all crops
| with total value of 29,5O0.oOO:
hay is close second with s2S,125.-
900. while sugar beets rank third
with value of s5,976.00O
The Potato crop was nearly a mil
! lion and half huhels greater han
1919 but its value is less than half
OF last years crop. Farmers were
getting an average of .68 a bushel
as compared with s1.51 a year ago.
There was a good harvest of all
seed crops. Glover, alfalfa and tim
othy seed all showed increased acre
age and production. although values
are off along with other crops. The
slump in red clover seed is especial
ly marked, viz: 11.25 per bushel
December 1. 1919. Sugar beet seed
acreage was only 1900 as compared
with 5,657 acres in 1919, but the
yield was 780 pounds per acre, al
most double last years yield Seec
peas in the Idaho Falls-St. Anthony
district came back to their norma
acreage and production This is on,
of the important cash crops of tina
part of the state which adds mater
tally to the welfare of the commun
ity.
In view of the large crop las
year, the fruit production was fairl.
satisfactory. Peaches, however
were failure due to the late sprin,
frost but apples came with a 1851,
900 buhel crop and pears totale,
$4,000 buhels. Apples average 5
cents bushel less than year ag
but peaches brought s110 above an
pears 36 cents a buhel above t91,
, prices.
In passing, it should be noted tina
the cost of crop production in 1872
was the highest in the history of tn
state. Not only did the cost of farr
implements. sacks, binder twine, ett
advance over 1919, but the big iter
: Of labor cost advanced as much a
! Is per cent when board was fun
t nished and 13 per cent withor
t board. as indicated in the followin
table:
II Average Wages of Male Farm Labo
d In Idaho.
y With Board
81 Per Month by the Year
e 1920 1919 Increase in 1872
$500 $4,000 IS per cen