Specific Marketing Problems — Alfalfa 21 



Valley is sold at points within the Valley proper. The remainder is 

 shipped largely to mining towns throughout Arizona. 



Over 90 per cent of the grain is handled in sacks. The labor cost 

 of sacking this grain, the cost of the sack itself, and unnecessary labor 

 charges for extra handling are of course reflected in the price received 

 by producers. One of the Valley mills now has an elevator arrange- 

 ment for handling bulk grain, while another mill is building a large 

 modern elevator and will encourage its patrons to furnish bulk grain. 

 The handling of grain in sacks is such an expensive operation that 

 there is little excuse for its continuance in this district. 



It does not seem practicable or feasible to urge the formation of a 

 co-operative grain marketing organization. The chief drawback is 

 that individual acreages vary greatly and the membership of a grain 

 marketing association would change so appreciably from season to 

 season that it would not be possible to introduce the necessary flexi- 

 bility into the plan of organization. There should be concerted action, 

 however, by grain growers looking toward better grading of their 

 product for market, more economical methods of handling the grain 

 ?.nd better understanding with the buyers as to prices. 



Alfalfa In common with other irrigated sections of the West, 

 the Salt River Valley produces large quantities of alfalfa. Prior to 

 191 7 approximately 50 per cent of the irrigable territory in the Valley 

 was devoted to alfalfa. In general, this alfalfa acreage is utilized by 

 producers for pasture, for commercial hay production and for seed. It 

 is difficult to estimate the total acreage used annually for pasturing 

 livestock. Many fields are devoted very largely to this purpose. A 

 still larger area is pastured occasionally between cuttings. When it 

 is remembered that the Valley is a very important dairying district 

 and that fattening range stock for market is also an important phase 

 of agriculture, it is possible to appreciate the value of alfalfa pasture 

 to Valley farmers. 



This district has been for a good many years a region of surplus 

 hay production. Certain districts, notably near Gilbert, Peoria and 

 Chandler, produce large quantities of hay for commercial shipment. 

 This hay is field-baled and usually moves to market shortly after har- 

 vest. The following table shows the number of cars of hay shipped by 

 stations from the principal Valley points in 1916 and 1917: 



