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 oLe^ve/H^dit C/aUoTii/aM tMtiMaiTia, jf<yv^a<yn/nbe^ ^etv^eai- 

 iOO '^a/nvUUae .%t^ SSoOcm 02W2 



Dear friends of Massachusetts agriculture: 



This year has seen positive signs for the future of agriculture in our 

 state, which are borne out by many of the statistics in this annual report. 



There are problems nonetheless. Strenuous competition among dealers has 

 resulted in considerable instability in the marketplace. An oversupply of milk 

 nationally is causing downward adjustments in the Federal milk support programs 

 which will have an adverse affect on returns to dairy farmers. Though Massa- 

 chusetts produces less than 20 per cent of the milk it consumes, Massachusetts 

 and indeed all of the New England dairy farmers tend to be penalized more 

 heavily under this Federal program than are the surplus-producing states in the 

 Midwest where grain is cheaper and operating costs are less. 



While this government regulated pricing system may appear unfair, it 

 is a political fact of life and one with which we must cope. Our dairy farmers 

 are among the most efficient in the world but they must learn to be even more 

 efficient. It is important for us to be looking for complementary dairy enter- 

 prises on the farm, such as improved techniques in milk marketing, including 

 sale of specialty cheeses, ice cream and yogurt. We also need to consider the 

 security of greater diversity in our production and marketing systems, including 

 striving to meet local demand for lamb, grapes, and small fruits. That is to 

 say that as well as meeting the challenge to be more efficient dairymen, there 

 is a need to discover alternative agricultural uses for the land to make up for 

 anticipated contractions in the dairy industry. 



Massachusetts agriculture has survived for more than three centuries 

 because our farmers have been among the first to innovate and improve their agri- 

 cultural methods. We must continue to do so. 



We believe that the state's highly successful land preservation and market 

 promotion efforts are giving farmers the encouragement needed to be forward 

 thinking, progressive, and to make the long term investments required. 



Please scan and peruse this report. We are always ready to entertain 

 comments, suggestions and new ideas to improve and expand the agricultural 

 industry in our state. Let us hear from you. 



-•% 



Sincerely, 



i. C^^t^l^Cw-ra jC 



Frederic Winthrop, Jr. 

 Commissioner 



