The Plain Truth About 
The 1941 Farm Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested in 1940 are taken, as far as possible, from the 
final Government Crop Report issued December 18, 1940, by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
The total production of all crops, even on a smaller acreage than a few years ago, was larger than in 
any year except 1937. Unlike the big crops of 1937, which came when reserves were greatly depleted, the 
1940 crops were harvested after three good years, so supplies of some products are much higher than the 
production figures alone would indicate. 
ALFALFA SEED. The production of alfalfa seed in 1940 was the second largest on record and was 
exceeded only by the 1939 crop. It was estimated at 1,453,000 bushels, which is 2 per cent below the 1939 
production but 48 per cent above the 10-year (1929-38) average. Dibble’s alfalfa seed is all verified origin, 
all northern grown, and priced much lower than for several years. 
SWEET CLOVER SEED. The production of sweet clover seed, estimated at 900,700 bushels, is 36 per 
cent under the 1939 crop but 12 per cent above average. 
MEDIUM AND MAMMOTH RED CLOVER SEED. The production of red clover seed in 1940 was 
estimated at 1,994,400 bushels compared with 1,798,100 bushels the year before and 1,106,000 bushels for 
the 10-year average. The 1940 production was the second largest crop on record, exceeded only by that of 
1929. We again have ample stocks of clover seed, and prices are very reasonable. 
ALSIKE CLOVER SEED. The production of alsike clover in 1940, estimated at 422,300 bushels, is 
32 per cent above the 1939 crop and 19 per cent above average. 
TIMOTHY SEED. The production of timothy seed in 1940, estimated at 1,312,900 bushels, is 7 per cent 
below the 1939 crop and 24 per cent below average. Timothy seed is again reasonable in price and should 
be used freely. 
SEED BARLEY. The 1940 barley production of 309,235,000 bushels is 12.5 per cent larger than the 
1939 crop and about 37 per cent above the 10-year (1929-38) average. This crop is next to the largest on 
record, having been exceeded only by the crop of 1928. We again have excellent stocks of high-germinating 
seed for this year. 
SEED OATS. The total production of oats in 1940 was estimated at 1,235,628,000 bushels. This crop 
is one-third larger than that produced in 1939 and one-fifth larger than the 10-year (1929-38) average 
production. Record yields per acre over most of the corn belt were the cause of this large total production. 
We have on hand good supplies of adapted varieties for our Northeastern territory. 
SEED CORN. The production of corn for all purposes in 1940 was estimated at 2,449,200,000 bushels. 
This is 6 per cent smaller than the 1939 crop but 7 per cent larger than the 10-year (1929-38) average. Even 
though the total crop is large, the outlook for seed com of good germination in the Northeastern States is 
far from satisfactory. Word comes to us from the New York State Experimental Station that tests of seed 
corn are the worst in 20 years. The corn crop in the North and East was late and did not mature properly; 
therefore much of the corn put in storage was immature, soft, and high in moisture. Seed corn that had more 
than 20 per cent moisture in it was sure to be seriously weakened, if not entirely killed by freezing tempera¬ 
tures. Special care had to be given this year to make good seed corn. We advise placing orders early. 
The 1940 Crop of Potatoes 
The final crop estimate for 1940 indicated a total production of 397,722,000 bushels. This compares 
with the revised estimate for 1939 of 363,159,000 bushels and the 10-year (1929-38) average of 366,949,000 
bushels. The average yield of 130.3 bushels per acre in 1940 was the highest on record. 
In Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine and up-state New York the crop was somewhat below average due to 
unfavorable conditions in some areas. Wet weather, blight and freezing damage reduced the yields in these 
states. 
With the exception of some varieties there appears to be a good supply of Certified Seed. The noticeable 
exception is in the Rural group and especially the Russet variety. 
The improvement in general business conditions as a result of the defense program should cause a rise 
in farm prices, and potatoes should follow this trend. 
