The Plain Truth About 
The 1940 Farm Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested in 1939 are taken, as far as possible, from the 
final Government Crop Report issued December 19, 1939, by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
The end-of-the-season survey of the nation’s crops by the Crop Reporting Board shows that the acreage 
of crops harvested was unususilly small but yields per acre averaged higher than in any of the last 25 years 
except 1937. 
ALFALFA SEED. The production of Alfalfa seed was the largest on record. It was estimated at 1,357,900 
bushels, which is 31 per cent above the 1938 production and 44 per cent above the 10-year (1928-37) average. 
Increases over last year are greatest in the northern states that produce the hardy seed for our northeastern 
conditions. As there was no carry-over from the 1938 crop, it is fortunate that a good crop was harvested 
in 1939. Our Alfalfa seed is all verified origin and all northern-grown. 
SWEET CLOVER SEED. The production of Sweet Clover seed, estimated at 1,351,600 bushels, was 
31 per cent above 1938 and 71 per cent above the average. Sweet Qover will make an economical seeding 
where it is possible to be used. 
MEDIUM AND MAMMOTH RED CLOVER SEED. The 1939 production of Red Qover seed, esti¬ 
mated at 1,713,700 bushels, was 10 per cent below the large crop of 1938 but 72 per cent above average. We 
again have ample stocks of Red Qover seed and prices are reasonable. 
ALSIKE CLOVER SEED. The 1939 crop of Alsike seed was estimated at 304,300 bushels, which is 
24 per cent below 1938 and 9 per cent below the average. Decreased production this past year was due to 
dry weather in the summer and fall of 1938 in a number of important districts. 
TIMOTHY SEED. The production of Timothy seed this past year greatly exceeded earlier expectations 
and was finally estimated at 1,412,800 bushels. This was 10 per cent above a year ago but 18 per cent below 
average. Timothy seed is again reasonable in price and should be used freely. 
SEED BARLEY. The total production of Barley in 1939 was estimated at 276,298,0(X) bushels. This is 
9 per cent above the 1938 production and 19 per cent above the 10-year (1928-37) average. We again have 
excellent stocks of high-germinating seed for this year. 
SEED OATS. The total Oat crop, estimated at 937,215,000 bushels, is 12 per cent less than the 1938 
crop and 11 per cent below the 10-year (1928-37) average. The relatively low-production total was due 
primarily to substantial acreage reductions. 
SEED CORN. The 1939 production of Com for all purposes was estimated at 2,619,137,000 bushels, 
which is about an average crop when compared with the past 20 years. Due to unusually warm, dry weather 
in the fall of 1939, the Com crop went into winter with less moisture than usual, and, as a result, there was 
an excellent supply put away for seed. We have exceptionally good stocks of high-germinating Seed Com. 
The 1939 Crop of Potatoes 
The final estimate for 1939 indicated a total production of 360,992,000 bushels. This compares with 
the revised estimate for last year of 374,163,000 bushels. 
The production this past year in the central and eastern states showed a sharp reduction from 1938 
and from the 10-year average. Due to a very mild fall, there has been an unusually heavy movement of 
Potatoes by truck. This heavy tmck movement, together with the normal movement by rail, leaves us 
with a comparatively short supply for the spring of 1940, or until the new crop begins to move in volume 
late in May. 
With industrial production in this country at the highest point on record, with three wars in progress 
in the world, and with a Potato crop 4 per cent below the 10-year average, we see no reason why Potato 
prices will not advance and hold strong throughout the spring of 1940. 
