The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-04-03
FARM CONVENTION
AT TWIN FALLS

At farmers convention at Twin
Falls the best available speakers
were put forth to advise how to
handle the crops ans stock this year
to make the most of the water
shortage that is bound to be with us,
and we reprint the following from
the Pocatello Tribune:
There is sufficient water to grow
our feed crops necessary to keep
Idaho livestock up to full produc-
ton, according to the report of the
first agricultural economic confer
ence held at Twin Falls, March 81
and %, and in addition some cash
crops can be produced at good pro-
fits on short water rations. The con-
ference stressed the Importance of
protecting investments in livestock
by keeping up maximum production
and further emphasized the planting
of crops needing little irrigation,
The first Idaho agricultural eco
nomic conference was called by w.
Kjosness, state leader of county
agents. County agents met on these
dates to consider the threatening
water shortage and what crops to
grow under the present market and
tives of Farmers Cooperative Mar
keting association, the State Bank
ers' association, Irrigation Projects
and federal and state specialists
Joined the county agents in their
deliberations.
R. L. Spangler, assistant agrono-
mist of the University of Idaho ex-
tension division, and Julius Jacob
son, United States crop and livestock
statistician for Idaho, made the prin-
cipal contributions of information
affecting the present situation. Mr.. |
Spangler spoke on the irrigation re-
quirement of crops, storage water |
supplies, precipitation and moisture
content of soils. Mr.. Jacobson re-
ported on the condition of crops, in
tended paintings by farmers and |
holdover stocks for the world,
United States, western states and
Idaho. He also reviewed the favor
able conditions presented to the
Idaho farmer thru the increasing
population in California and the
widespreading drought turnout
California and neighboring states.
The essential features of the confer
ence recommendation follows
Livestock
In making plans affecting the live
stock business, it is we'll to remem-
Der that butter, as compared to other
has purchasing
power of 112, eggs 121, wool 145;
that beef prices have been steadily
coming up; that, in the past, such
periods as this of heavy pork pro-
duction and low prices have led to
reduction in breeding so drastic as
to result later on in shortage and
Indications are that hog producers
may now be moving into one of the ;
periods of low production.
Livestock husbandry has always ,
been the keystone source of income /
Of Idaho irrigated farmers. 1t is we'll ,
to remind ourselves that Idaho farm
srs have right now an investment of !
$40, 644, 900 in dairy cows, $685.
300 in beef cattle, 21.291, 900 in +
sheep, $3,553,000 in hogs and ST.
300, 900 in producing hens.
No estimates are available for the =
Investment in livestock equipment. /
Wise farmers and bankers are CIV =
ing first consideration to the main s
,enance to full production of dairy
COWS, poultry, sheep, beef cattle and 9
hogs by planning cropping systems I
which will furnish ample feed. They
the danger of great loss
lnless the great investment in live
stock and equipment is protected by I
production to full capacity. Unless I
leeds are abundant, many farmers r
nay be required to sell high priced +
livestock at great sacrifice. r
The growing of feed crops for !
livestock is, therefore, regarded as
If the first Importance. Cash crops +
should receive secondary considera-
ion because of the small investment =
which they carry at present and be-
,ause of the greater risk attached to :
he production and marketing of :
Iuch crops. Il
Grain Crops s
OF all the grain crops barley re-
luires the least amount of irrigation
o mature. 1t Is the first ranking
,rain feed for livestock for Idaho. I
Next to barley, oats requires the
east amount of water and its i'm
,ortance is growing out young stun i
,ommends it as crop in short water C
ears. Corn has become the basic 6
attening feed for lamb, steer and p
log feeding. 1t can be produced C
With much less water than most {
armers use and it will mature much r
,etter without the last irrigation, o
which most farmers apply. 1t re-
Luires, however, a late irrigation Il
md storage water should be the r
lominat factor in determining q
whether or not to plant corn. Wheat e
equires more water than barley or a
ats. s II
Forage Crops
Alfalfa may be compared to corn Z
q irrigated requirement. Corn for t.
ilage, however, requires less water U
han corp for mature grain. For a l.
asture, sweet clover requires less u
'ater and produces more pasture I.
IAN any other grass. Pasture plant !!
lgs are dangerous in short water Il
ears because of the risk in securing
good stand. y
Cultivated Crop =,
Beans require the least amount of -
alter of all the cultivated crops. ~
ext to beans comes peas, then po- 81 .,