Imperial Valley press., 1935-03-06
CALIFORNIA; CROP OUTLOOK FOR
YEAR SUMMARIZED BY UNIVERSITY

BERKELEY, Cal, March 6. -
Presenting a summary of facts
bearing upon future trends Of i'm
portant California farm products,
the 1885 agricultural outlook for
the state has been released by the
University of California Agricul-
tural Extension Service. 1t ana
lyzes the supply, demand, and
prices of 30 farm commodities.
Copies of the outlook are available
for distribution at the farm ad-
visor's office at El Centro.
The highlights of the report are
as follows:
LIVESTOCK AND FEED
Because of the drought, current
production cycles III beef cattle,
dairy cattle, hogs, and sheep have
definitely been upset. A marked
reduction in numbers and weights
of animals for slaughter is antici-
pated. Reduction in slaughter will
be most pronounced after February,
and greatest relative shortage is
likely to develop during the sum-
mer. The general quality and fin
ish of marketings will be much
below average. Substantial ad-
vance in prices Of all meat ami
mails is expected. Supplies of corn,
oats, barley, and grain sorghums
for the coming feeding season are
the smallest since 1881. Barley
growers face a smaller feed de-
mand, although there is likely to
be a somewhat greater mailing
demand as a result of increase in
beer production.
Cotton and Wheat
World supply of all cotton for
the l934-35 season will probably
be from to 10 per cent smaller
than the record supply of 1933-34,
but considerably. larger than for
any year prior to 1922. World
supply of American cotton is now
down to about average, or slightly
more than 20,200,000 bales.
Two successive years of poor
yields, heavy abandonment Of acre
age, and removal of surplus from
the Pacific Northwest through gov
ernment aid have tended to in
crease United States wheat prices
as compared to world wheat prices.
Unless abandonment is heavy and
yields are again below average,
the new crop will provide an ex-
port surplus, and prices in the
United States may be but little
above an export basis during the
! 1885 season.
Field Crops
Because of the increase in prices
of dry beans this season, growers
will be inclined to plant an eX-
cesSive acreage in 1885. Produc-
ton Of potatoes in the United
States is likely to be somewhat
smaller in 1885 than in 1884. Sup
plies of rice for the coming sea-
son are about 6 per cent larger
than they were in 1933-34. A still
larger carryover at the close Of
the 1934-35 season is indicated
than prevailed August l, 1884,
which was the second largest on
record. With average yields in
1885, sugar beet production on the
proposed allotted atreage will be
slightly less than the 1888 crop,
which was the largest on record.
Poultry and Eggs
A decrease in the spring produc-
ton of eggs for 1885 as compared
to 1884, or the average of the past
five years, appears probable. The
number of laying stock on hand in
January, 1885, is estimated at 10
per cent below the number last
winter. Indications are that in
California there are from a fourth
to third fewer chickens than
there were five years ago.
ApricOts, Peaches
Although gradual decrease in
the bearing acreage of apricots may
be expected, trend of production
in California will probably not
turn downward. The peak Of
clingstone peach production in the
state has been passed. The down.
ward trend of freestone peach pro-
duction in California is expected
to continue.
Grapes
Until economic conditions i'm
prove substantially, there is danger
that normal crops from present
bearing acreage of grapes may ex-
ceed the quantity markets can
reasonably be expected to consume
as wine, brandy, raisins, and fresh
table grapes. No general increase
in grape acreage appears to be
justified. At normal yields, the
present acreage is sufficient to
provide for as large a per capita
consumption of wine and brandy
in the United States as was alb
sorbed before prohib zion, even un-
der circumstances much more ia
vorable to consumption than can
reasonably be expected to prevail
for several years. Expansion of
table grape acreage also is not
warranted.
Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruit
Continuation of rising trend of