WASHINGTON ΓÇö The California drought may make a dent in this year's U.S. cotton and rice production, the Agriculture Department said Wednesday.
Because of the drought, California farmers may not plant as much cotton and rice as they indicated in a recent survey, a department report said.
"The state is the second largest producer of both crops," it said. "Growers there are enduring one of the state's longest and most severe droughts. And this year has been among the driest ever."
According to the recent survey, farmers nationally said they intend to plant 4 percent more corn, l percent more soybeans, 2 percent more rice, 18 percent more cotton, 19 percent more sorghum, and 36 percent more sunflowers than they did last year.
However, spring wheat plantings were indicated to decline 13 percent from 1990, reflecting farmers' outlook for prices and costs of production. Burdened by large U.S. and global supplies, wheat price have been depressed.
"Among California livestock producers, those with forage-based operations will be hit the hardest," the report said. "Output of many field and forage crops will be down sharply and prices will rise."
But the report added: "Still, the state's production of fruit and vegetables is expected to be near normal because some water will be diverted from field crops, and many growers depend on groundwater and water from the Colorado River Basin."
Also, despite the California drought, U.S. supplies of an major livestock products are expected to increase in 1991, the report said. Beef and pork output is forecast to rise 2 percent each, while milk and egg production are each expected to increase about 1 percent.
"Lower feed costs and recession-muted demand will dampen livestock prices, especially in the first half of the year," the report said.
Associated Press. "Drought Trims Rice, Cotton." Associated Press story in Albuquerque Journal. 24 February 1991. G7.
