CROP HIGHLIGHTS 



CORN SILAGE 



Production of corn silage during 1983 totaled 663,000 tons the same as during 1982. Harvested acres and 

 yield were also the same as the previous year. Planted acres totaled 43,000 acres, 7 percent less than 

 1982. This indicates that less corn acreage went for other uses during 1983. Value of the 1983 silage was 

 $19.9 million, 6 percent above the 1982 crop. 



HAY 



Production of all hay on Massachusetts farms during 1983 totaled 313,000 tons, 10 percent more than a year 

 earlier and the highest production since the 1960's. Both acres harvested, at 123,000 and average yield, 

 at 2.54 tons per acre, were higher in 1983 than in 1982. The average price per ton during 1983 was $91.00 

 giving a total hay crop value of $28.5 million, up 13 percent from the previous year. 



Alfalfa and mixtures containing alfalfa totaled 87,000 tons or 28 percent of all hay. Both yield and 

 production were above 1982 with harvested acreage unchanged. 



All other hay production totaled 226,000 tons in 1983, up 11 percent from the 1982 total. This increase in 

 production resulted from increases in both harvested acres and yield. 



TOBACCO 



Massachusetts tobacco production totaled 768,000 pounds in 1983, 10 percent less than the 1982 crop. This 

 decrease resulted from relatively sharp reductions in harvested acres for both Havana Seed and Shade types. 



Havana Seed acreage was down from 1982, but the 255 acres harvested is still the second highest since 1972. 

 Shade growers in the Commonwealth harvested 170 acres, down 80 acres from 1982. Yields averaged above a 

 year earlier for both types. Tobacco prices indicate a slight increase for Havanna Seed, while Shade price 

 was down $1.50 per pound in 1983. 



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