WILL MORE FORAGE PAY? 81 



(6) It is anticipated that acreages of irrigated pastures will con- 

 tinue to expand in the West. The newly irrigated areas in the Plains 

 will probably not shift their present extensive farming systems to 

 production of specialized crops to the extent found in the earlier ir- 

 rigated areas. Other factors that encourage production of forage 

 include the expanding population on the West coast, with its increas- 

 ing demand for meat and livestock products, together with a declining 

 postwar market for some specialty crops. Irrigated soils, especially 

 those in more arid areas, require a rotation which includes grasses 

 to maintain and improve soil fertility and structure. Additional 

 physical and economic research is necessary to appraise accurately the 

 need for and the advantage of including grasses in irrigated farming 

 systems. 



