CROP HIGHLIGHTS 



CORN SILAGE : 



Production of corn silage totaled 663,000 tons in 1982, 15 percent less than last year. A decline in yield 



from 20.0 tons per acre in 1981 to 17.0 in 1982 was responsible for the reduction, as acres harvested were 



39,000 in both years. Value of the 1982 silage was $18.8 million, down 6 percent from 1981. A cool, wet 



June put the crop about 2 weeks behind normal, resulting in much of the crop being put up while it was still 

 immature. 



HAY : 



Production of all hay totaled 293,000 tons, 5 percent more than last year. Both acres harvested, at 123,000, 

 and average yield, at 2.38 tons per acre, were higher in 1982 than in 1981. At an average price of $88.00 

 per ton, the hay crop had a value of $25.8 million in 1982, up 16 percent from the preceding year. Cool, 

 rainy weather in June interfered with putting in the first cutting until some of it became overripe. 



Alfalfa and mixtures containing alfalfa totaled 81,000 tons, or 28 percent of all hay. This compares with 

 78,000 tons of alfalfa last year. Alfalfa hay yield averaged 2.80 tons per acre in both years. 



All other hay production totaled 212,000 tons in 1982, up 6 percent from the 1981 total. Average yield in 

 1982 was 2.25 tons per acre, up from 2.15 tons in 1981. 



TOBACCO : 



Massachusetts tobacco production in 1982 totaled 887,000 pounds, less than half the 1981 crop due to a sharp 

 fall-off in harvested shade acreage. Havana Seed production, at 587,000 pounds, is up 6 percent, while the 

 shade crop, at 300,000 pounds fell to one quarter of 1981 output. Shade growers in the Commonwealth with- 

 drew 650 acres of the wrapper type from production in 1982. Yields also averaged below a year ago. Exces- 

 sive rainfall in June caused heavy fertilizer leaching, stunted plant growth, and ultimately, reduced yields 

 for both types. 



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