REPORT OP THE

Clatsop county Agricultural Planning Conference

ContainingCommitteeReport;

Approved by Conference Held

In Astoria, Oregon, April, 1956. Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

FOREWORD

This booklet contains information on the situation and outlook of agricultural enterprises, and some aspects of ruralliving,in Clatsop County.

Clatsop County people from the rural areas as well as from the urban areas have made up the membership of committees on Land Use, Land Economics, Dairy, Livestock, Poultry, Mink, and Family Life.

The reports contained in this booklet were developed by these com- mittees for presentation at the County Agricultural Planning Conference, held April, 1956, in Astoria.

This Conference was organized and conducted by the. county agri- cultural planning council with the cooperation of the Oregon State College Extension Service. Similar conferences had been held in the county at sev- eral earlier periods, the most recent being in 1947. Experience has shown that these conferences are effective in accurately predicting trends in the local society and economy and in influencing developments in farming and rural living. Each of the reports in this booklet is the work of a committee that met several times over a period of months and considered data from a variety of sources in arriving at its conclusions. It is believed that this booklet will be significant and useful as earlier ,similar booklets have been.

The publication of this booklet was mode possible through the co- operation of the Clatsop County Court.

If additional copies are needed, they can be obtained from the local County Extension Service office at the Post Office Building in Astoria, Oregon.

Dr. John Rankin, D.V.M. General Chairman

Jack H. Wood County Extension Agent General Secretary Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

PLANNING COUNCIL

Dr. John Rankin, William Larson General Chairman Bob Niemi Harold Akerstedt Archie Riekkola J. Richard Gerttula John Reith Palmer Henningsen Chuck Smith Lloyd Ingram Woodrow Wilison Arthur Johnson Lee Wooden Myron Jones

Land Economics Land Use Dairy Livestock Committee Committee Committee Committee Chuck Smith, Lee Wooden, Bob Sterling, Archie Riekkola, Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman L H. Casper Jack Dellinger Harry Ebsen Fred Courtwright Harry Ebsen Jalmer Gerttula Jim Elliott Owen Hess Dick Gerttula Palmer Henningsen Richard Gerttula Henry Hill Arthur Johnson H. B. Howell Herb Howell Bill Meeker Eleanor Johnson R. L. Jones Lloyd Ingram Wilson Porter Howard Johnson Ralph Lamb Walfred Lindgren John Rankin Myron Jones Vern Larson Doug Messenger John Reith R. L. Jones H. A. Pearse Albin Oman Harold Werth William Larson Robert Reed Art Petersen Henry Willener Joel Sarkie John Rankin Harold Turley Fred Rudat, Jr. Harold Werth Dick Sorensen Afton Zundel

Poultry Fur Farming Family Life Committee Committee Committee Harold Akerstedt, Woodrow Wilson, Mrs. Maurice Chairman Chairman Hendrickson Ken Donaly Paul Autio Myron Jones Walter Grove Art Fick Mrs. Ridhard Knotts Les Herglund Lloyd Fletcher Mrs. A. L. Sylling Ed Ikaheimo Roland Gregg Mrs. Pete Miller Charles McKnight Gene Noden Mrs. Eli McConkey Bob Niemi Lauri Pernu Ken Meier John Pedersen John Rankin Judy Steele Noah Squires Fae Thompson W. B. Turnow Rev. W. E. Putnam Mrs. Mamie Markham Rev. Wm. Petersen Mrs. Anne Leutwyler Rev. James Rutz Gordon Storaasli Mrs. E. Hunter 4 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

CLATSOP COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND

Darkened areas indicate general location of farm lands along the Columbia River, the Coastal strip, and the malor rivers and streams. Farm lands along the Columbia River and near the mouths of the Youngs and Lewis & Clark rivers are protected by dikes from high tides and flood waters. Of the 52,000 acres in farm ownership, approximately 20,000 acres are classed as tillable. The uncolored area is primarily timber land, which is over 90 per cent of the total county area of 525,000 acres. Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 5 CLATSOP COUNTY Agricultural Services Its Size and People Agriculturalandrelatedstateand The 525,000 acres of Clatsop County federalagenciesservingClatsopCounty are bounded on the north by the Columbia residents include: River and onthewestbythePacific The OSC John Jacob Astor Branch Ocean. Experiment Station, Route1, Astoria. These acres ore populated by 31,000 Federal Agricultural Stabilization and people derivinglivelihoodprimarily from Conservation Program, Room 214, Astoria forest products,fisheries,agriculture and postoffice building. tourist trade. SoilConservation Servicerepresenta- Agricultural landsinclude 51,458 tive, serving the Warrenton Dune Soil Con- gcres in farm ownership, of which 18,900 servationDistrict, basement Astoriapost- acres are classed as improved and tillable. office building. Timber land is the major classification, Oregon State Game Commission, area with 95 per cent or more of the county representativeavailablethroughOregon area being commercial forest land. State Police office. Ofthe31,000peopleinClatsop Farmers Home Administrattion,ser- County, 16,200 live in the urban areas of viced from office at Hillsbora, Oregon. Astoria,Seaside, Warrenton and Cannon The State Forestry Department, Wal- Beach.Intheruralnon-farm group are District, Astoria, Oregon. living on the luski 12,000 people, and those CooperativeExtension Work in Ag- farms total 2600. riculture, Home Economics and 4-H. 10,084, Families in the county total Thisprogramprovidestheservices 5600 of which are urban families, 3800 nod information of the Oregon State Col- rural non-farm and 700 farm. These fam- lege Extension Service in cooperation with ilies have an average income of $3,443. Clatson County. Gross agricultural income to the farm Th' FederalExtensionService,the families(before any expenses arepaid) Oregon State College Extension Service and amounts to approximately $3,000,000 an- ClatsoD County cooperateinthe support nually in Clatsop County. ofthis program toprovideservices and Major agricultural enterprises include information from Oregon State College to dairying,livestock production (beef, sheep the people of Clatsop County. and swine), poultry (eggs and broilers), mink Thereare threecountyextension ranching,Astoria bentgrass seed produc- agents working in the fields of agriculture, tion, cranberries, holly, nursery and green- homeeconomics, and4-HinClatsop house products, small fruits and vegetables, County. and forest products from farm woodlands. The County Extensionofficeis lo- Facilities cated In room 214 of the Astoria post office building, wherefreesublect matter bul- ClatsopCountyresidentsarewell letins and additional information may be served by hard surfaced roads. obtained. The SP&S railroad provides rail freight Recreational Facilities transportation to Clatsop County. The ocean beaches and resort facili- Transportation by highway is facilitat- ties, extensive hunting and fishing oppor- ed by U. S. Highway 26 and U. S. High- tunities,thehistoricalattractions,and state parkdeveloornents provkleyear way 30 in an east-west direction. Highway forresidents and tour- 101transverses the length of the county nround recreation ists. along the Pacific Ocean. Climate Five high schools and twenty grade schools, bothrural and urban, serve the Clatsop County residents eniov a mild, some 1400 high school students and 2900 temoeroteclimcitewith a meanwinter grade school pupils. temperature of 47°F. and a mean summer temperature of 60°F. There are some 50 churches in Clat- There are an averaae of 272 frost sop County, representing many denomina- froe days (March 8 to December 5) in the tions. Approximotly six of these are rural area, with somewhat lessin the churches. Neholem Valley. There are about 500 retail stores in Roinfnll averages 77 inchesannual- the county, providfrg a near complete vq fu, with 70 ner cent of thjfaJJiri from riety of products, Noyember througl, March, 6 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

LAND ECONOMICS COMMITTEE

The Land Economics Committee pre- The committee considers a review of pared the following report with the initial tax problems facing the farmers of Clatsop understanding that the Ad-Valorum prop- County will be helpful to all taxpayers in erty tax law in Oregon is the dhief means an understanding of the need for re-ap- of supporting public services at the county, praisal. city, and district level. Farm Taxes The committee further recognizes that Theincreaseof150 per centin under theproperadministrationofthe total county property taxes since1 944 has property tax lawoilclasses of property come during a time when consumers spend- supporting the services in a given district ableincomes have reached analltime under the same millage should pay equally high; values of homes have increased; and according to property value. forestlands have returned valuable saw- logs, pulpwood, and peeler logs from sec- Reappraisal ond growth forests, burned and logged-off The reappraisal program being con- areas that 20 years ago were considered ductedpresentlyinthe county incoop- of little value. eration with the State Tax Commission is The committee felt that farm income intended to establish current market values has not kept pace with the inflated prop- on all taxable property. From this informa- erty values of farm lands and equipment, tionthe county assessordetermines the making it increasingly difficult to meet the assessed values and millages necessary to property tax increases. produce sufficient tax funds to meet the The agricultural censuslists agricul- countybudget. Thereappraisalprogram turalgrossincome from value willalsoassureequalizationof assessed of farm products values between classes of property, as in- soldinClatsop County at1.6 tended by the Ad-Valorum property tax million in 1944; 2.1million in 1949; and laws of the state. 1.7 million in 1954. This does not include thegross income from mink ranching of The committee does not feel that as- approximately 3/4 million in 1954. During sessedvalueshave beenequalbetween the sameperiod accordingto the same property classes according to market value, source, the average value of buildings and and support thereappraisalprogram to land per farm rose from $6,597 in 1944; this end. to$10,294in1949;and $17,005in 1954. These latter figures reflect inflated Itisalsorecognized that whilea values and increased farm investment for current reappraisal may help to equalize themostpart.Consolidationintolarger property taxes, it can not change the gen- farms has beenlessof a factor. There eral burden of property taxation. Property were 900 farmsin1940 averaging 70 ownerslikelywill continuetolookfor acres insize,as compared to 700 farms other sources of tax, and may seek changes in 1955 averaging 74 acres in size. in the Ad-Valorum tax law. Land In Farms Property taxes in Clatsop County to- taled 877 thousand in 1944 ,as compared TotalacresinClatsop County are toover 2½ millionin1955.Thisin- approximately 524,800 of which only 9.8 creased cost of local government and ser- per cent or 51,458 acres are in farms. vices including schools is of great concern lncl.-Jed in this 51,458 acres of farm to property owners, and particularly to the lands are 14,455 acres of improved, till- form people represented by this committee, obe croplands, according to the 194as- Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 7

sessmentrollsummary given for Clatsop Real Property Assessed Valuation Countyinthe1955OregonBluebook. Lands inside corporate limits $ 4,663,666 Other farm land includes less tillable pas- Improvements inside corporate tures, brush and woodland, and land taken up by buildings and wastelands. limits 5,033,000 Land outside corporate limits2,214,173 The majorportionofland outside Improvements outside corporate corporatelimits,approximately 470,000 limits 1,208,780 acres,isforest landin various stages of Timber (exclude land) 868,572 timber productivity. Total Real Property $13,988,191 The timber land areais owned ap- Personal Property proximately as follows: Acres Stacks in Trade 1,703,885 348,265 Public lands - state and county 145,000 Furntiure & Fixtures 90,860 Crown Zellerbach Corp. Farm Machinery & Equip. (including St. Helens Co.) 190,000 Other Machinery & Equip. 889,155 Other large private owners of Trailer Houses 4,590 over 5,000 acres each 85,000 Boats & Vessels 122,390 Small privately owned 51,000 Livestock (including mink) 185,560 Thereare141,698 acres ofstate- Miscellaneous 30,890 county forest land. Seventy-five per cent of Total Personal Property $ 3,375,595 the proceeds from the sale of timber on Public Utilities $ 2,109,494 these lands is used to offset county prop- 1956 Total taxable value$19,341,637 erty taxes. The other 25 per cent is used Total Tax & Millage by the state board of forestry for manage- ment of the forestland. Mature timber Total county property tax income for acreage on this landis presently yielding 1956 was $2,499,731.33. some 40 million board feet per year, and Millageratesincities,towns, and the total receipts to the county have been some school districts range from a low of nearly one million dollars since the start 90.4 to a high of 187.4 mills, of the program in 1944. Harvest from this landwillincreaseto about 120 million The 1956 tax dollar was used for: board feet per year on a sustained yield Allschools 59.4% basis.In the last tax year the dollar pro- County General 13.5% ceeds to clatsap County from sale of tim- Cities 15.2% ber on the 141,000 acres of state-county Port 6.0% forest land inClatsop County was about Roads 3.9% equal to the tax revenue from allother Other 2.0% timber land in the county. From these data itis pointed out that Includedalsointheprivateforest of the land outside corporate limits which land ownership shown above are 71,523 isassessed at 2.3milTian, there are ap- thousand acres of re-forestation land that proximately 14,455 acres of tillable farm returns 5 cents per acre annually inlieu land or cropland assessed at $936,773 in of tax and 12Y2 per cent of the stumpage 1 954 ,according to summary of assessment value at the time of harvest, according to rolls given in the 1955 Oregon Bluebook the Oregon Reforestation Act of 1929. Thiscroplandacreage accounts for ioproximately 5 per cent of the total 277 County Assessment thousand acres of taxable acreage listed The source of property taxes and as- outside corporate limits, but carries an as- sessment values are shown on the county ceesment amounting. to appoximately 33 pssessment roljs forj 956 as faflows; per cent Qf ttgl gssessn,ent for land out. S Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

side corporate limits, cases buy their farms inside of 15 years. Thisis nearing the confiscatory level. Itisrecognized that farm cropland includes the best farm land in the county, Recommendations of the Land Economics but current assessed values of farm lands Committee are highin relation to market values of Stumpage values usedto determine farms accordingtothe findingsofthe the12 /2 % severencetax onthe committee. 71,000 acres of timberlandunder Averagecroplandwasassessedat thereforestationlaw shouldreflect $64.81per acrein1954 accordingto more quickly thepricesbeing paid Bluebook data. To arrive ot this assessed currently for timber. value,market volue isreducedby 20 The committee is of the opinion that per cent to become true cash value, and the average market value being used 1 6 per cent of true cath value is theas- presently on cropland for assessment sessed value. An average assessed value of purposes is nct realistic, and the com- $64.81 would then represent current market mitteeishopefulthatthiswillbe values of nearly $500.00 per acre for im- corrected by the reappraisal program. proved cropland. It was also the opinion of the com- The committeedoesnotfeelthat mittee that in view of increased costs average cropland values in Clatsop County oflocalgovernment, schoolsand are over $150 to $200 per acre. services, some alternate source of tax Costs of maintainance and improve- tD offsetpropertytax is urgently rnents have increased thecapitolinvest- needed. ments on farms, while farm incomes have Inoddiflontoproblemswithreal not increased proportionately. Farmers have propertyassessmentsthecommittee far more invested in their operations thon foresees continueddifficultyinthe I can be includedinsellingprices.Ithas fairlevy of personal property taxes. also been pointed out that on combining Further studyis needed for methods all personal and realproperty taxes, the whereby allinventories arereported amount farmers are paying would in many equally, according to the committee,

I Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 9

LAND USE COMMITTEE

Forestryondforestindustries,fish- suited to this crop. Holly and nursery crops eries,agriculture,shipping,flourmilling are favored by good growing conditions. andrecreationare the main sources of Strawberriesandraspberriesaregrown Clatsop County income. Roughly 90 per successfully for a limited local market, as cent of the county's 525,000 acres isin are blueberries, sweet corn, garden peas, forest land, with the remaining 10 per cent beans and miscellaneous garden crops. in agricultural lands, cities and towns. Land Farm Forestry areain timber or best suited toitsuse amounts to approximately 470,000 acres As a part of farm management and incomein ofwhich325,000acresareprivately Clatsop County, farm forestry owned, and 145,000 acres are urxjer public isreceivingincreasedattention.Income ownership. Much of this land is being man- from farm timber has called attention to aged for Continuous production of tree crops. the value of tree planting, pruning, thin- Each year sees new tree farms established, ning and systematic harvesting. Maximum and more intensiveforestry practiced on returnsfromthesepractices depend on both private and public lands. markets for pulpwood and small sawlogs. Profitable returns from small farm timber There are141,000 acresofforest sites depend largely on utlilization of farm landundera state-countyarrangement labor and equipment. whereby 75 per cent of the proceeds fram A demonstration of woodlot manage- the sale of timber goes to the county as a ment on fir under very good harvesting and property taxoffset, and 25 per centis marketing conditions is being conducted in used by the State Board of Forestry in the Columbia county. Project reports show that management of the timber lands. These $500 per acre has been the return from lands werelargelyacquiredas tax de- the sale of timber harvested and delivered linquentlands,andnowunderproper to market from a ten acre stand of 60 year management and increased timber values old fir at the Columbia county fair grounds. the State-County forest land represents a The management of this small timber stand great asset tQ the people of Clatsop County. over the past 10 years has served well to Farm woodlands include some 30.000 demonstrate possible returns from planned acres of the total 52,000 acres in form management and marketing. The $500 per ownership.Forage and Astoriabentgrass acre returned $3.35 an hour to the opera- seed are the main crops on most of the re- tor for periodic labor; and still left for fu- maining 22,000 acres in farms. Climate- ture income a stand of crop trees with an- wise, Clatsop County is well suited to pro- nual board foot growth equal to what the ducing grass and legume forage crops for stand was producing ten years ago. pasture, silage and hay. As a result dairy Some owners oflarge timber hold- and beef cattle are the principle agricul- ingsinClatsop County are spending as turcil endeavors. much as $40 per acre for tree planting andcontrolofcompetitivebrush.This Oheragricultural products include givesanindicationofexpectedfuture mink,poultry,sheep, Astoriabentgrass returnsfromforestmanagementwhich seed, cranberries, holly, nursery crops, and wouldgenerallyapplyequallytosmall small fruits. forest tracts. Mink and poultry operators are fav- Markets ored by the mild climate and do not de- Harvests from Clatsop County wood- oend on land quality. Cranberry producers lands have come largely from mature or find both climate and local bog areas weli nearly mature stands, Local markets hove 10 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference not been established adequately as yet for providing for their management to the best the utilization of small trees or thinnings. interests of the people. The committee in Inmanyinstancesyoungfarmtimber thisreportheldtheopinion thatthese stands hove been clear cut. Such cutting once tax delinquent lands, now aggregat- of stands before they reach peak growth ing 141,698 acres, were developing under causes considerable loss of potential yield. the State Board of Forestry management a sustained yieldforest of unestim- Though the greater part of the coun- into able value to the county. tyisinhemlock or spruce stands very susceptibleto "blow down" after partial The bidsaleof timber from these cutting,there is roomforfargreater lands provides a yardstick to values of pri- utilizationthrough periodicthinning,es- vate owned timber and returns income to pecially of young stands. Again, however, thecounty which offsetsproperty taxes. such utilizationis dependant on pulpwood From 1944 to 1956 this income has and small sawlog markets. amountedto$933,198.00.Itwas also Present marketsinClotsop County pointedoutthattheincome from this includethefollowingsawmills andlog land in 1956 was as great as the property buyers: tax collected fromallother timber land Columbia Hudson Lumber Company, in the county. Wauna Lumber Company, Lebeck Lumber Forest Services Company, Company, WarrentonLumber Stateforestry personnel stationedin buyers of fir, hemlock and spruce sawlogs; Clatsop County to manage the140,000 Crown Zellerbach Craporation,buyers of acresofstote-countytimberlandare sawlogs and pulplogs;AstoriaPlywood availablefor part-time counsel and guid- Company, buyers of peelers; and Koppersance to forestland owners. Personnel at Company, buyers of poles. stateforestfireparto!station at Jewell MarketsoutsideofClatsopCounty are also available to assist in the applica- include: tion of sound forestry practices. Research and Extension service personnel of Oregon Weyerhauser, Longview, Washington; State College, as well as the U. S.Forest Fir Tex Incorporation,St.Helens;Long- Service, assist in matters of forest resource view Fiber Company, Longview, Washing- development. The Federal Agricultural ton;Publisher's Paper Company, Oregon Conservation Program in cooperation with City,which oreallbuyers of pulpwood; the U. S. Forestry Service as technical ad- and LongBellLumber Company, Long- visers,assistsfarmersinacost-sharing view, Washington, buyers of fir and hem- partnershiponfarmforest improvement lock sawlogs. practices. A sub group of the Land Use Com- SPECIAL FARM CROPS mittee appointed to study forest products marketing in the county reported that pulp Astoria Bentgrass and small sawlog markets areimproving Production of Astoria Bentgrass seed and becoming more competitive. The com- has been acash crop on approximately mittee also reported thereis need in the 2,000 acres of improved landin Clatsop county for chipping plants to prepare pulp County sincetheearly1930's.Itcom- chips from small or damaged logs. mands aslightly higher price than other fine bents such as Highland, but is in com- State-County Resource petition with them. The Land Use Committee was one In the 1955 crop year, approximate- of the organizations helpful in starting the ly1,200 acres of Astoria Bentgrass were State-County holdings of forest lands and enteredfor seedcertificationinClatsop Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 11

County with a total yield of approximatelyyields can be increased through the follow- 85,000poundsofcleanedseedor on ing practices: average of 70 pounds per acre. 1) An acreage rotation is recommend- TheoutlookforAstoria Bentgrass ed for control of Nematcxfe. (2) Applica- seed productionistiedclosely to produc- tionofnitrogenfertilizerinthe annual tion of other turf grosses, and the success amount of 20 to 30 pounds of actual ni- of growers in increasing the yield of seed trogen per acre. (3) Control of velvet grass per acre. with Karmix DW or Chloro IPC, at the rate Following are some of the major factors of 4 pounds per acre applied about October facing growers at present: 15. (4) Weedcontrolthroughselective spraying with Amine 2-4-D at I to1 ½ (1) Nationally the 1955 production of poundsperacretocontrolplaintains, the 5 major fineturfgrassesincluding chickweeds, and the competitive effect of bentgrasses wos 6 per cent over1 954 and clovers in the stand. 59 per cent over the10 year overage. Bentgrass Seed Equipment Total Bentgrass production in the United States in 1955 was 4,600,000 pounds as One of the major cost items in the compared to the last ten year average of production of Astoria Bentgross is harvest- 2 million pounds. Oregon produced 4,400,- ing.Itis evident that the shortcut harvest 000 pounds of this and the increase has methods adopted to reduce labor cost have beenin the Highland Bentgrass acreage. also reduced yields. However, Costs of har- Bentgrassyieldsaverageover200 vest can be cut Y to ½ under good con- poundsinOregon,as comparedto the ditions by use of suitable combine equip- localaverage of 70 pounds.(4) A little ment over stationary thrashers, according more than 3million pounds of Bentgross to the comparison reports of at least one hasbeenusedannually.Carryoverwill producQr. likely amount to 2 million pounds after sale of 1955 crops. (5) Astoria Bentgrass seed, Tooth cylinder combines seem most under normal production, sellsfor 10 to satisfactory, and should be large enough 15 cents per pound above Highland. Astoria to handle at least a single mower swath. A combine is not considered economical for Bentgrass seed is noted for its high quality, less than about 150 acres, particularly but must compete with other turf grasses. if (6) At present grower prices of 40 to 50 stationary threshing equipment is available. cents, Highland Bent seed production is in- Cranberries a Stable Crop on Some Land creasing, and Astoria Bentgrass seed pro- in duction isdecreasing.(7) Of theU. S. Approximately 45 acres are pro- total of 22,000 acres of Bentgrass harvested ducingbogs.These arelocatedinthe in1955 approximately 2,500 acres was coastal peat soils that lie between the min- Astoria Bent, 1,100 acres in Clatsop Coun- eralhill soil and the sandy dune soils be- ty and the remainder in Columbia County tween Warrenton and Seaside. Little change and Pacific County, Washington. intotal acreages has taken place in the t In order to continue to produce As- past decade with new bogs about offset- toria Bentgrass seed profitably as a crop in ting those that lose out to weedy brush and Clatsop County, an average yieldof at grassesormismanagement.However, a least 200 pounds per acreisconsidered slight growth is evident now with 10 or so necessary Ifthis yield cannot be main- additional acres due far production by 1960. tained, an alternate use of the land is likely. Growers consider about 8acres of Increase Yield Per Acre producing bog, preferably of the McFar- land variety, to be necessary for an eco- From work done by the John Jacob nomic Unit. Cost of establishing an acre of Astor Experiment 5tqfin, Clatsop County bog remoins hi9h and is currently estimoted 12 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference at between $2,000 and $2,500 including to 10 years old. costs from clearing to the installation all Use of varietiesthatwillripenfor offrost and drought protectingsprinkler November pickingisalso necessary, and systems. much improvement still remains to be done Though some 500 acres of bog land to this end. A variety trialisin the 5th suitableto cranberry production arestill year of growth at the Astor Branch Ex- availablein Clatsop County, potential re- periment Station, which is giving additional turns from this crop do not speed its de- encouragement to this crop. velopment. Nationally the one million bar- At present prices a good 5 to 10 acre rels (100 pounds per barrel) of cranberries holly plantingisconsidered an economic ismeeting the present produced annually unit, and is most apt to be successful on well cooperatives such as the need.National hillsoils of north or east expo- National Cranberry Association carry out drained sure.Accessibilityduring wet November orderly marketing and adv.ertising programs and December weather is also important. which levelout producer prices over the nation and limit economical expansionin Of the approximate 1,300 acresin this area to about the rate of population Oregon, nearly half of this growing stock growth: is considered of poor variety due to poor qualityorbecause ofripening toolate. Localberriesaremarketed through Hollyshould have afairly short annual N.C.A. and are processed in the Grayland, growth so sprays are 10 to 12 inches long Washington, plant. Approximately 80 per withberrieswelldistributedalongthe cent of the national crop is processed, and spray. Wavy thick leaves that lay flat are theseasonal 20 per cent packaged for also desirable. fresh market trade. Marketingofhollycan best be With growers prices averaging about handled through present growers or organ- 12 cents per pound over the past five years, izations with established markets. As cost of production sonds at about 8 to 10 grower volume increases, new outlets can cents per pound. Control of weeds, insects, be contacted either individually or by co- diseases, and frost damage are the major operative means. points of management, with weed control being the number one problem for most Bestknownvarietiesandcultural growers. practices are covered in an Oregon State College bulletin on Holly Production. Holly Production Favorable Big Trefoil Seed There are presently some 25 acres of producing'hollytreesinClatsop County. ProductionofBigtrefoilseed (Lotus Most of this acreage is in a few commer- uliginosis)attained importance for a few cial holly orchards that have been operat- years prior to 1952 but has since dropped ing for several years. off to periodic harvesting of a few hun- dred pounds for local use and limited sole Expansion of this crop appears fav- outside thecounty. This legumeiswell orable in light of the limited climatic areas adaptedto some poorly drainedpasture in which it can be produced and the large lands and hill land along the Oregon coast, potential national market for this season- and to some extent also on the east coast. ally popular item. A more common strain called Beaver has Increaseis slow, however, in view of been used locally for forage and was widely 3 to 4 hundred dollars per acre planting accepted in the county as a result ofit costs,plus initialland and clearing costs success as a forage when planted originally that showlittlereturnuntiltrees are 8 for seedproduction, An improved strain Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 13 called Columbia is now recommended over maximum and minimum water levels within the Beaver strain for local pasture seedings, the protectedarea, heads to be pumped as well as for limited seed production. A few against, seepage characteristics, and tide growers have plantings eligible for certifi- box capacity. Since these factors all vary cation and prcduce seedas thelimited with individuallocations, you can under- market dictates. Harvestingiscritical and stand hy a general figure for installation the price per pound should exceed $1.00 or and operating costs would be of little value the crop is usually more valuable as forage. and might lead to erroneous assumptions. Ifthe Brownsmead area desires pumping facilitiesitisrecommended that a study DRAINAGE A FIRST STEP of needs of the districts and cost of ad- IN LAND USE ditional facilities be made by a competent engineer. Approximately1 5,000 acres of the improved pasture landin Clatsop County Most of the diking work done is under dyking or drainage districts along by the Corps along Lower Columbia River, the Columbia, Youngs ,and Lewis & Clark including that in the Brownsmead area, has rivers.Early development saw the use of been done in accordance with the general hand made dikes, puncheon drains, and procedure, of the 1936 Flood Control Act. open ditches to drain bottom soils. Forma- Thereisaninspectionproceedureafter tionoftaxlevyingdistrictstosupport completion to insure that structrues built drainage costs and to cooperate with fed- withFederal funds are maintained prop- large eraldiking programs hasbeen a erly.Inspections are made annually, or as factor in developing Clatsop County farm- funds become available. For complete proj- land, ects, also, approval by this office is neces- Diking Projects sary before any construction work is done in, on, or over any flood control improve- The work of the U. S. Army Engineers ment financed by the Federal government. through specific federal appropriations for flood control and water resource develop- "In addition to regularly authorized ment has been and continuesto be a projects, the Office, Chief of Engineers, has means of agricultural land improvement and available for its use certain general author- development. izationsfor channel clearing;emergency repair of flood-control structure; emergency The Larxl Use Commitee in reviewing protection of highways, bridge approaches, major drainage needs such aspumping and other public works; and for small proj- stations in the Brownsmead diking district, ects not specifically authorized by Congress. received information from the office of U. S. Army Engineers of importance to this re- "In addition to the projects and poli- port.Excerpts of aletter from Colonel ciesmentionedinthepreceedingpara- Jackson Graham, Corp of Engineers, Port- graph the members of my staff are avail- land district, include: able at any time for consultation of flood- controlproblems of any organization or "Although this office has constructed individual. Anyone desiring such informa- a number of pumping plants alongthe tionis cordially invited to discuss his flood lower Columbia River, experience at those problems and obtainthe adviceof our plants does not provide a ready answer as engineers. tothepracticabilityof pumpinginthe Brownsmead area. Variable factors in the "The congress recently authorized a design of a pumping plant which must be review of past reports on Columbia River considered include drainage area, precipi- and tributaries with a view to cOntrol of tation anticipated, tidalfluctuation, avail- floods and waterresources development. ablepondingareasforstorage,desired That report, which is nOw under way will 14 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

includeconsiderationoffloodproblems partmentofForestryandU. S. Forest along the lower Columbia, including pro- Service; United States Army Corps of En- tection by upstream storage by presently gineers; and theUnited States Soil Con- authorized levees and levee improvements, servationService operatinginthe county and by any desired and justifiable addition- through the Warrenton Dune and Necani- allevees or levee improvements. Comple- cum Soil Conservation districts. tion of the report is currently scheduled for calendar year1957.Completionofthe WEED CONTROL report willbe preceeded by publichear- ings at which local interests will be asked No weed control districts are estab- to state their views and desires as to flood lishedin Clatsop County, and all noxious control improvements in the area and other weed controlis heavily dependant on the related items." vigilance and community spirit of the land- owner having such weeds. As to possible pumping installations neededinthe Brownsmead area or such Canada Thistle is presently one of the additional areas as Tenasillahae and Sven- serious weed pests spreading rather rapidly SenIslands, the committee believes costs from wind born seed over farms and across would probably be prohibitive to property fences.Its many seeds find easy going in owners under presentagriculturalenter- newly tilled land and waste places. Chemi- prises,unless assistance was made avail- cal sprays and mowing are methods used able through Federal appropriation. most effectively, with the recently devel- aped chemical ATZ shawing great promise. Skipanon Drainage Tansy ragwort, a ser1ous pest in most Another areaneedingdrainagelies western Oregon counties is not as yet prev- between Warrenton and Seaside along the alent in Clatsop County ,but its control de- east portion of the coastal plain. Further pends onlandownersk.eepingonthe development in this area may involve some lookout for new infestation. diking of the Skipanon River, a large tide gate installation, and control of the Cul- Gorse infestationsofvaryingsize laby Lake water level.It also involves new existinthe Olney district,Vine Maple, drainage ways for water flowing south into Youngs Bay Bridge ,and the Ridge Rood the Stanley Lake area at Seaside. Although near Camp Kiwanilong. These infestations a drainage district has been formed in the are under various stages of control but need area from Gearhart to Seaside, further im- continued control, particularlyin unpopu- lated areas. provement isunlikely untilproperty own- ers and land use pressures bring it about. A serious pasture weed is the curled Dock. General spraying and spot treating FarmDrainage andOther Conservation with 'hormone sprays, particularly 2,4-DB, Practicesare aidedby State & Federal are of some aid in control of this weed. Agencies: Pasture clipping to reduce seed set is also Farmers in Clatsop County may make helpful. voluntaryuse of many services toward STATE PARK RECREATIONAL improvement of agricultural lands. Present RESOURCES services include the county agricultural Ex- tension Service, and the John Jacb Astor State parks comprise over 6,000 acres Branch Experiment Station whichare both in Clatsop County including the following under departments of Oregon StateCol- parks and waysides: Bradley, Ecola, Saddle lege; the Federal Agricultural Conservation Mountain, Oswald West end Fort Stevens Program, offeringcost sharing assistance StateParks,andSunsetHighway and on farm conservation practices; State De- Gearhart Ocean Waysides. Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 15

The Oregon State Parks division of the As members offarm organizations State Highway Commission reports a and community groupsfarmers are planned expenditurein 1956 of approxi- encouraged to promote the control of mately $45,000 forfurther development noxious weeds intheir communities and operation of the Fort Stevens State and county wide. Park, and $20,000 for maintainance of In view of the extensive diking proj- remaining older parks. ects that have been accomplished to The success of the Fort Stevens State protect bottom lands along the Co- Park is of particular interest to the com- lumbia, Youngs, Lewis & Clark, and mittee, since establishment of the park was SkipanonRivers,the committeere- one of the committee's projectsincoop- commends that farmers make all pos- eration with the county court and the State sible effort to establish and maintain Parks Department. ditching systemswithinthedikes that will aid in maximum use of bot- Committee Recommendations tom lands.

Worthwhile projects or goals considered The 1 955 state legislature established by the Land Use Committee and offered theOregonStateWaterResources as suggestions to farmers, farm organiza- Board which is charged with the re- inagricultural tions,or others interested sponsibilityofguidingthedevlop- development are as follows: ment of allunappropriated water in I. Promote the installation and operation the state. The development and of one or more wood chipping plants utilization of all Clatsop County water toprovide easier handling and mar- resourcesisimportant to the agri- ketingof smalllogs andthinnings cultural and industrial growth of the from local forest harvesting. county.The committee recommends thatthis committee, or a sub-com- 2. Promote the use of forestry practices mittee thereof, work on a continuing on farm woodlands, throug!h coopera- basistoward development of water tion with ACP cost sharing practices, resourcesinthe county for allpur- publicity, and use of technical person- poses. nel available in the county. 16 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

DAIRY COMMITTEE

Agriculturally,Clatsop County farm ofalldairy farms in Clatsop county is not lands are primarily suited to the produc- good from the standpoint of a reasonable tion of grass and legume forage crops in return on investment and labor. Production the form of pasture, silage and hay. The costshaveincreasedtoboth the dairy dairy cow is considered the most economi- farmer and to the distributing plants while cal utilizer of these forage crops. consumer prices have remained fairly con- stant. Nationally the dairy farmer's s)hare The productionofover15 million of prices paid for dairy products was 45 pounds of Grade "A" milk annuallyin per cent in 1955, as compared to 54 per Clatsop County returns more income percent in 1949. acretotheaveragedairy farmfamily than other livestock enterprises. Average production costs determined in both the Tillamook and Portland market Numbers ofdairycattlehave de- creased slightly from the 1940 to 1945 areas by Oregon State College economists, average of 4500 cows and heifers over 2 have shown that costsin1951for pro- years old, to the 1955 figure of 4100. This ducing 100 lbs. of Grade "A" milk were reductionisdueinpart to fewer dairy $5.77 and $6.15. The average priceto farms ,andinpart toherd improvement dairymen selling to the Portland market at resultingin increased production per cow. that time was $6.15. This lack of margin has been no less severe on Clatsop dairymen Milk from Clatsop county's 60 some who have receivedlessfor their product odd Grade "A" farmsisbeing produced during 1955 than in 1952 and have had. primarily for the bottle milk sales in cities production cost increases since that time. and towns of Clatsop County and the Port- land area. These markets utilize from 70 In the opinion of the dairy commit- to 80 per cent of the production with the tee, the potential markets in and out of remainderbeingsoldfor manufacturing thecounty,theneedfor continuedin- purposes at lower prices. creasein management efficiency, and the In addition to the Grade "A" milk lessening of the price-cost squeezeare fac- tors that will determine the future of dairy- production, approximately 2¼ million pounds of factory milk are produced an- ing in Clatsop County. The committee also felt that with the grass production nually and used along with surplus Grade poten- tial of Clatsop County, dairymen should be "A" milkfor manufacture of powdered able to produce dairy products in compe- milk,butter,ice cream mix and cottage cheese. This factory milk for the most part tition with other areas that may compete for the same markets. representsproductionfromsmallopera- tions, seasonal in production, and too small Management Factors to justifyfacilitiesfor Grade "A" milk standards.In1949, 275 farms reported Size offulltime dairiesinClotsop sale of whole milk; the 1954 U. S. Agricul- County vary from 20 to over 100 cows tural census reported a total of1 97 farms while the average size operation necessary in Clatsop County from which whale milk to support a farm family is considered to was sold.Factory milk sales dropped be from 30 to 40 cows. The total produc- million pounds in 1955 from 1954 produc- tion considered necessary for an economic tion,indicatingmany smallsized,part- unit is about 250,000 pounds annually with time dairy farms dependent on present fac- 70 to 80 per cent of this being sold for tory milk prices are unable to continue. bottling purposes at fluid milk prices. Also, the general economic condition Size and value of dairy farms in Clat- Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 17

sop County vary a great deal and average ments areofvitalimportance todairy- figures are not too meaningful. Itis gen- men, and raising enough good heifers for erally true, however, that far more isin- normal replacement is oftendifficult. vested in fully equipped dairy farms than Raisingheifer calves from the best cows can be included in today's selling prices. in a herd is considered the best and cheap- est source of replacements. Newcomers tothe dairy business should thoroughly check into the productive Mineral supplements: Information as- history of a farm which can then be meas- sembled at the Astor Experiment Station ured against purchasingprice,operating over many years well establishes the need costs, and debt retirement. for mineral supplements of particularly cop- per, cobalt, magnesium and phosphorus to Some otherfactors of management the cattle dietinthis area. These ingre- which the committee listed as helpful to dientsarerequiredin relativelysmall successful dairying include: amounts but are very necessary to herd Patience: Dairyingis a long time in- health and production. Dairy concentrate vestment and industry not subject to fast feeds sold in the area usually contain the economic changes. recommended amounts ofthese minerals through special mixing by the manufactur- Family labor:Itis very helpful to a ers.However, if concentrates do not con- dairy farmer to have the interest andas- tain the recommended amounts of these sistance of the family,if possible. minerals itis advisable to supply them by Buildings: Loose housing and milking other means. parlors are a steady trend as older build- Good carrying capacity: An intensive ingsarereplaced.Buildings where cows forage production program is necessary to are milked must conform to standards for minimize the capitalinvestmentinland. Grade "A" milk production. While average carrying capacityiscon- sidered to be two to three acres per cow, Silageprogram:Full useofhome grown forage depends on a silage program itis possible to reduce this to nearly one on dairy farms. Silage should be harvested acre per cow under intensive pasture man- agement. at good pasture stageifpossible. Types of silos vary but they should be convenient Pasture Improvement tofeeding. Many new silosare of the Pasture management and forage pro- above ground bunker type built nextto a ductionpractices currently beingencour- hardsurface,coveredfeedarea.Also, aged include: mechanicalunloaders are beingusedin upright silos to save on labor Initial land improvement through Herdimprovement: Productionper drainage;lime applications; and ad- cow continues to increase, adding to the dition of essential plant food elements, efficiencyof dairying.Productiontesting nitrogen, phosphateand in some either through theDairy Herd Improve- cases potash. Over 62 per cent of the mentassociation,Breedassociationsor soil samples analyzed at Oregon State other means is considereda basis of eco- College from Clatsop County showed nomical dairying. Use of herdsires that a lime requirement of 4 ton or mare improve production of daughters isof pri- per acre,and over 87 per cent were mary importance Good bulls are available low or very low in phosphate. These to dairymenfromoutstandingherdsin materials arebest appliedpriorto Clatsop County, as wellas through arti- seeding of the improved varieties of ficial breeding programs. grasses and legumes recommended for this area. An annual fertilizingpro- Good replacements: Herd replace- gramisalso necessary to maximum 18 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Con erence

yields. Support the American Dairy Associci- Grasses and legumes considered most tion of Oregon for promotion of dairy suitable to productive permanent pas- productsatthenationalandlocal tures, silage cuttings, and hay include: level and encourage concentration of a'dvertising funds in as few agencies Meadow foxtail as possible. Orchard grass (5-143) Alta fescue Suport the local Grade "A" milk pro- Perennial ryegrass ducers association as members. New Zealand white clover withecono- Sub clover Request and cooperate Big trefoil mists of Oregon State College on a Cost study of Grade "A" milk pro- Postureutilizationthroughfencing, duction in Clatsop County. controlled grazing and clipping. Cross- fencing for daily rationing has added Request more specific study of eco- 25 to 30 per cent to the production nomical and easily adapted methods from pastures at the Astor Branoh Ex- of DHIA testing on farms with pipe- periment Station. line milkers.

Conservationofmanure is still a Support youth programs in dairy hus- money savingpractice and can be bandry through 4-H and FFA organ- accomplished through protectedstor- izations.Be responsible as a source age such as beneath the bedding of of 4-H dairy club leaders, and assist loose housingunits,in manure pits, local dairy organizations participating liquid tanks, or in as steep piles as inthe 4-H Spring Dairy show and possible to minimize leaching by rain. County Fair. As a farm fertilizer, manure is one of the best. It can be made better by The supply of bedding material, par- adding phosphate to make it a well ticularly wood shavingsforuse on balanced source of plant food. dairy farmsisoftenlimited during winter months. The committee recog- nized this problem, but had no sug- Recommendations of the Dairy gestions other than to point up the Committee need for more storage and continued cooperation with the mills supplying Strive toward efficient production thot bedding. willinsure markets locally and out- side the county as transportation and Continueto support theBrucellosis processing methods continue to make controlprogramingeneralandin fluid milk more competitive between Clatsop County where a modified cer- areas. Meet competition for fluid milk tified Brucellosis free status has been market by efficient production. attained. Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 19

LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE

The beef industry in Clatsop County Beef cattle productionis a full time is second only to dairy in livestock numbers, enterprise for a few of the producers with and like dairyitis on adapted enterprise large farms capable of carrying a hundred whichutilizesthecounty'smaincrop, or so head of brood cows from whidh good forage. quality market steers or weaner calves can be produced on pasture, home grown silage Sheep are also an important part of and hay. the livestock industryinClatsop County, but are managed as relatively small farm On several farms beef productionis flocks,usuallyinconjunction with other carried out in conjunction with the produc- livestock operations. tion of Astoria bentgress seed. The bent- grassprovidespastureinthefalland The approximate numbers of beef and spring, as well as hay and straw from the sheep in Clatsop County over the past sev- seed crop. Since bentgrassisnot a good eralyears according to census data are forage producer,itscarryingcapacityis listed in the following chart: fairly low, and also other forage must be available for the cattle from May to Sep- 1920 1930 1940 1945 1950 1955 tember whenthebentgrass seedisal- Beef lowed to mature. Cattle 3200800 1100 2900 3200 3800 Sheep a Double Crop

Sheep Sheep production may show acon- and tinued increaseinClotsop County in the Lambs future. Breeds used in the county usually 750 1100 1100557 1300 1100 include ewes of the long wool type which are brcdto bucks of medium wool or mut- The number of beef cattle increased ton-type breeds for abetter mutton-type considerably in Clatsop County after 1940, lamb. The long wool ewes such as the not only as aresult of favorable prices, Romney areconsideredbest adaptedto but also due tolesslabor and building the wet coastal conditions and provide a investmentbeingrequiredfor beef ani- gocd crop of wool in addition to fair market mals than for dairy cows. lambs. Beef production has filled a need for The lamb cropplus thewool crop forage utilization on many of the smaller provided by the sheep enterprise returns a farms, as well as many larger farms not comparatively good income per acre. Price equipped for Grade "A" milk production, wise over recent years, sheep have returned or where the operator chose beef produc- as much oralittlemore per hundred tion because of less labor and building in- weight than beef cattle. Through the use vestment. Also a part time operator is able of good milking ewes that drop a high per- to keep beef animals and work off the centage oftwinlambs and yield about farm. 10 pounds of wool, the farm flock of sheep can be made to pay its way. Most of the 50 or so livestockpro- ducers in Clatsop countyare not deriving Adequate pasture that allows forro- their living from beef production alone,but tational grazing and supplies of winter sil- depend on off the farm work, otherlive- age and hay isimportant to sheep pro- stock, or the production of Astoriabent- duction here. The wet bottom land pasture grass seed. should be avoided in winter to reduce the 20 Clatsup County Agricultural Outlook Conference common ailment of foot-rot, bothersome to When producing market steers from a sheep in this area. cow-calf operation, thecommittee pointed out thatitis important the Internalparasites, stomach andin- first fall to save the best steers, bring testinal worms need control in most flocks them inearly beforelosing gain to and control with phenothiazineisrecom- goodsilageand hay and possibly mended. A two-ounce dose to adult sheep some grain, and keep them inuntil is often given as a drench in the spring plenty of good pastureisready for of the year, followed by keeping pheno- them to finish on. thiazine and salt, one port to nine, before The number of cows needed for a the sheep atalltimes. Having adequate pasture to permit posture rotation of about full time operator may vary from 50 3 week intervals is very important to con- to 100 head, according to the com- trol of internal parasites. mittee, depending on the number of calveskeptover theirfirstwinter. The form flock sizeof 20 to100 Acreage for an economical beef set- ewes seems most suited to farms of the up would need to be atleast 150 county and can usually be managed under acres, although intensive forage pro- enough supervision to minimize losses from duction under irrigation, fertilization, predators, parasites and disease. As a type and rotational grazing practices could of livestock for port time farms, and as lower land requirements to nearly one an added enterprise for dairy or beef op- cow per acre. erators, the outlook for sheep production Smaller farm operators and those on seems favorable. a parttime basis arecautioned Management Trends against over-stocking ahead of pasture improvement and provisions for win- In discussing the average requirements ter feed of silage and hay. One dis- of an efficient beef set-up in Clatsop Coun- advantage of small unitsisthehi- ty, the committee pointed out several items efficientuse ofequipmentorthe ofparticularimportance to operatorsin dependance on custom operators for this area: pasture improvement. The cow-calf system was considered The practice of buying feeders in the to be the soundest operation, on the fall to carry over on home-grown sil- average,for bestutilizationof the age and hay, and for finishing for the pastures,silageandhayproduced following fall on pasture is a second locally. There are the two possibilities system used by livestock producers in here of selling market steers or heif- thecounty. The committee pointed ers at about 18 months of age, or out that this system is most success- weaner calves the first fall. ful on a rising market and for that Early calvingin January or February reasonhasnotbeenvery popular has the advantage of early market- since 1951. ing ahead of normal heavy marketing Its success is also dependent on good periods.Earlycalves are alsolarge supplies of high quality home-grown enough byspringpasturetofully silage and hay, and convenient feeding utilize the increase in milk from the and shelter facilities helpful to steady dam. growth and condition of thesteers Some fall calving is being done by a during the winter. few operators, and this can supply a Feeding grain the last 90 to 120 days good weight vealcalf the following that the steers are on pasture before July or August when this item isless marketing may beprofitablesome plentiful on the market. years,accordingtothe committee, Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 21

in order to assure finish for July or cattletowinterpoorly and cattle August marketing. However, this does shouldbesprayedinthefalland not assure the top price in their grade winter to stop bu?td-up of lice. Bulle- incompetition with feedlotsteers. tins on the control of livestock pests The safest and most competitive en- are availablefromthe Extension terpriseforlocalbeef producersis Service. basedonuseof home-grownfeed The committee pointed out the preval- and a minimum of purchased grain. ence of foot rot among sheep raised Forage production is the basis of the in this county, and suggests sheep be livestock enterprise, and management kept out of wet bottom lands as much practices that develop a good supply as possible. of fOrage as well as an efficient and Cattle producers are particularly economical means ofhandling and cautioned to stay on guard for con- feeding forageis very important. trolofBrucellosis.The county has Over stocking that depletes and kills been proclaimed a modified-certified outdesirablegrassesandlegumes free area through the efforts of pro- shouldbe discouraged. Though the ducers and many others, and caution area is a natural gross provider, full is needed to maintain this status. productionisusually dependent on A further point of importance is the drainage, liming, fertilizing, and vaccinationfarshippingfever,re- seeding of improved grasses and le- commendedforuseattime calves gumes adaptedto the area. These are weaned and broughtinto barn include: Meadow Foxtail, Orchard feeding. grass (S-143), Alta fescue, Perennial rye, New Zealand white clover, Sub Buildings for both cattle and sheep clover and Big trefoil. are needed to provideshelter from storms, calving and lombing facilities, New trendsinpasture management and also coveredfeedareas. Most include less grazing and more cutting new buildingsforthispurpose are of ensilage, and also mare intensive of pole-frame construction. grazing for short periods which cuts down on waste of tramping and al- The committee further recognized the lows more time for regrowth. need forherd improvementtech- niques whereby caws producing the The committee also pointed out that best off-spring ore made recordof. supplemental mineral feeding of cop- Permanent records of birth, weaning, per, cobalt and phosphorous, according and market weights can do a great to John Jacob Astor Experiment Sta- deal fortheefficientoperatorin tionstudies, is veryessentialto both dam and sireselection. Other healthylivestock.This isfedfree factors being equal, cows unable to choice or with the concentrate feeds, produce a 350 to 400 pound calf at and can be purchased in mixes sup- weaning time should be culled. plying the recommended amounts. The use of recordsis proving very 6 Control for both internal and external helpful, also, to the improvement of parasitesisanother phase of man- theep flocks. agementparticularlyimportant to this area, according to the committee. Recommendations Phenothiazine treatment for stomach The committee considered the follow- worms is proving very helpful to bet- ing items as being important to the im- ter gains in both beef and sheep. provement of the livestock industry in Clat- Body parasites sl,ch as lice can cause sop caunty and in need of further study or 22 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference encouragement: preserve this game resource in the county. The livestock committee has recom- mended that a committee of livestock The committee pointed out that beef and dairy people work with members pricesare now near tothe1944 orrepresentativesfromsportsmen's level,while property taxes havein- groups in the county to discuss such creased approximately 2½ times mutual problems as: since that time. Assessed values should follow market values more closely. aImproving relations between farmers and sportsmen in the area The committee pointed out that the toward the best use of wildlife re- grass fedcattlefinishedto market sources in the county with a maxi- grades do notusuallybringprices mum respect of property and re- equalto feed-lotcattle of compar- creational facilitiesinvolved. able grades. The committee felt that the price differenceisusually more bMutualunderstandingofthe thanaccountedforinshrinkor need for control of predatory ani- dress-out percentage. The committee mals, including sheep killing dogs. also felt that high quality grass cattle when dressed areretailedatprices cFurtherconsiderationbetween more equaltofeed-lotcattle,and the farmer, sportsmen, game com- therefore encourage studies be mode mission and other interested agen- if possible by Oregon State College as ciesonthepossiblefeedingor to comparative quality, or consumer management of deer andelkto demand,ofmeat fromgrossand relieve farms from damage and also grain fed cattle of equal grade. Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 23

POULTRY COMMITTEE

Poultry farming has been an impor- 1 20 farms reporting sale of eggs, accord- tantpartoftheagricultureinClatsop ing to U.S. census data. The some hun- County since the early "twenties". By 1920 dred cases of eggs per day being produced there were some 21,000 chickens listed in are sold both locally and outside the county. census datainClatsop County. At this The OregonEggProducersCooperative time eggs were produced primarily for the handles most of the eggs sold locally and local market with poultrymen pretty large- to nearby markets in Columbia and Pacific ly maintaining their own egg routes and counties in Washington. This cooperative, market contacts.In 1922 the first organ- along with the Brentwood Company, also ized marketing started and by 1930 num- handle eggs going into the Portland market. bers of birds in Clatsop County hit an all Individualegg routes by some producers time high of over 1 00,000 birds. Production in Clatsop County account for a percentage at this time was considerably in excess of oflocalmarketing.Clatsop County pro- local consumption and eggs were marketed ducers arepresently supplying eggs just outsidethecounty,principallyinNew slightly in excess of the local and nearby York markets. consumption.During peak productionin falland winter between two and three Egg Production hundred cases per month ore sold to the The number of hens four months old Portland market. Considering the close re- or over then began to drop until about lationship of production to consumption in 60,000 were being kept by1935, and the spring and summer months, coupled from 1940 to 1950 the number has been with the fact that eggs are brought into at the 70 to 80,000 level.In 1955 the Clatsop County markets from other pro- number of birds over four months old was ducing areas, makes the local egg produc- reported at 65,000 and an additional 35,- tion about equal to consumption. 000broilers were being raised annually This situation would indicate that ex- for the local markets. In 1956 the number pansion of the Poultry industry in Clatsop of birds over 4 months old remained at County islikely to be about equal to in- 65,000. However, the number of broilers creasesinlocaldemand throughbetter and fryers increased to 90,000. marketing methods andto some extent Improved breeding and feeding meth- through population increases. At the same ods over the past several years have re- time, however,it would indicate that,if sulted in a large increase in the rate of produced profitably,more eggs could be lay. The 50 to 60 thousand actual layers producedlocallyfor the outside markets on forms today produce approximately 30of Portland and other points. State wide, per cent more eggs than the same number Oregonis consuming nearly10 per cent in 1930. more eggs than are being produced. This is further indication thot the future of this County Well Suited industryinClatsopCountywillremain comparatively favorableinviewofthe Clatsop Countyiswellsuitedtothe climatic advantages, the established mar- production of eggs due toitsmoderate ketingfacilities,and thefactthat the climate. Birds are not bothered with weath- statewide production is below consumption. er extremes and maintain a good rate of laying. Management Trends There are approximately 35 full time Size of full time poultry units in the poultrymen in Clatsop County gnj another county vary from 1,500 to nearly 5,000 24 Clatsap County Agricultural Outlook Conference

birds with some of the larger units using than roof and sides to enclose two or four the cage system for confining layers. Labor banks of cages, either one or two layers saving devices go along with thelarger deep. The square foot cost of cage build- management systems, and both cages and ingsisconsiderably less than the former mechanical equipment represent a present flooredtypebuildings,butthisisoffset trend in the county. largely by the cost of wire cages. An economic unit,or one providing The practice of raising range gullets living for one farm family,isconsidered is not considered necessary at present and by the poultry committee to be atleast the amount of landrequiredfor poultry 3,000 laying hens. This is double the 1,500 operationis considerable less than former- birdsrecommendedasaminimumfull lynecessaryunderrangemanagement. time operation as recently as 1947. Except for having pasture or garden acre- age on which to spread the poultry manure, Replacement flocks are beingraised twice during the year by most producers. the acreage required for a full size poul- try unit would probably not be in excess One brood is started in February or March for July and August lay, and of 5 acres. With the greater use of poul- a second try manure by dairy and livestock opera- broodisstartedin August or September tors the need for storing this on the poul- for January pullets. This tends to level Out try farm should be lessened. egg production during the year and per- mits maximum use ofequipmentand Those establishingapoultry opera- buildings. A few operators including those tion on farms with old buildings are par- with cage systems often raise a third brood ticularly cautioned by the committee. An startingin December or January. Opera- operator tied to old buildings and possible tors using cage systems often start a third heavy indebtedness may never get ahead brood to supply a steady source of layers enough to remodel and install labor saving to replace culls and keep cages as nearly equipment. The investmentrequiredfor full as possible. establishing a poultryfarmvariesof The committee also pointed out that course with the management ability of the 70 to 80 per cent lay is achieved by same operator.In general members of the poul- producers and all producers should consid- try Committee felt that most operators have er 60 per cent lay as a minimum produc- an investment of at least $5.00 per bird, tion level for staying in business. includingbuildingand equipmentCosts. Feed alone, to raise a bird to the age of Buildings are a very important part four or five months is estimated at $2.00 of the poultry farm. Changes inmanage- per bird. Cost of land, buildings other than ment practices, helpful to an efficient eco- the poultry houses, and most of the major nomical operation, often mean changes in mechanical devices for handling feed and poultry building.Recent changes are to- water would be in addition to these costs. ward cheaper construction and mechaniza- tion. The type of houses used primarily at Egg Quality present under the floor management sys- Also,the committee feltthat more tem have an area through the center of attention needs to be placed on egg qual- the house,raised a foot or two off the ityanditsimprovementthroughcool floor, and covered by wire mesh. On this room storage between gathering and mar- the roosts are placed and also the birds keting, and through use of mechanical egg are fed and watered. This eliminates much cleaning devices. Dry cleaning of eggs is of the droppings otherwise falling into the practically mandatory as almost all mar- litter, and helps to keep the litteras dry kets refuse washed eggs. gs possible. Egg qualityis a big item with poul- Houses built for cages are little more trymen. Consequentlyanymanagement Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 25

system should include facilitiesfor clean- grain, making it easier for the poul- ing eggs and storing them under cool con- try men toinstallmechanical feed- ditions at relatively high humidity, as soon ers orself-feeding hoppers, which after they are gathered as possible, and willeventually facilitate a saving in until they are sold or moved off the farm. bulkfeeddelivery.New buildings From the management standpoint regard- should provide for bulk handling and less of where eggs are cleaned the opera- truck dockage. tor producing as clean eggs aspossible The committee recognizes the value from the nests or cages has a considerable of youth work through 4-H and FFA advantage in costs over the operator who programs for developing an interest iscarelessabout keeping conditionsfor in poultry, and encourages poultrymen clean egg prcduction at all times on his farm. to serve as lecders if possible. The committee would further encour- As stated earlier, the local Egg Co-op age faster handling of diagnostic cases recommends the eggs to be dry cleaned. going to the poultry disease labora- Many egg buyers over the state are also tory. Much improvement can be made requiring that eggs be dry cleaned rather insendingbirdspromptly withall than washed.Until such time as afool possibleinformation and askingfor groof methcJ can be established thereis return information by telephone. The too much evidence of egg quality being OregonEggProducerplantinAs- destroyed by washing. toria offers its services in helping to express birds quickly. Disease control on poultry farms was not censidetedindetailbythePoultry Continuetoinvestigatecooperative committee.However,itwas pointed out means of buying straw forlitterin that sanitationisthefirst and big step volume during the grainharvesting to be takeii on any poultry farm toward season, to be storedlocally for win- disease control. Producers are also firding ter use. This would help to remedy it advisabletopurchasechicksfrom the ever present problem of wet Fitter hatcheries that orewellestablished and during winter months when litter ma- hove a good reputation among the poul- terialsaremore expensive. try industry. In the case of a disease out- Continuation of the day school held break of unknown orIgin and severity, the annuallythepastseveralyearsto poultrydiagnosticlaboratoryatOregon review current management and di- State College has been helpful to ranchers sease programs with Oregon State Col- seding in their birds for diagnosis. legePoultrySpecialistswasrecom- mended. Recommendations The committee recommends that Recommendationsofthecommittee shell eggs ininterstate movement be for improvement of the poultry industry in labelled as to rtate of origin. Ciatsop County include: The committee recommends that Poultry manure is of value to forage poultrymen buying started pullets crop production. The committeefelt avoid bringinginpullets vaccinated that steps should be taken to increase for fowl pox and newcastle disease, the use of poultry manure from Clat- as vaccinated birds are known to in- sop County poultry farms by neigh- fect home reared, non-vaccinated boring dairy and livestock operators. birds.

Recommend bulk feed bins on farms. The committee recommends atwa This will old infficient handling pf price system on wheat, 26 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

FUR FARMING COMMITTEE

The production of high quality mink pelts were imported into this country from pelts is a very important part of the agri- Scandinavian countries and Japan. culturalindustry of Clatsop County. Requirements of Business Mink farmingfirststartedinthe In addition to being dependent on a early1 93O's when the standard dark mink luxury market subject to fast changes, the was used for pelt production. By 1945 the man producing mink must specialize to a first mutation mink pelts were being mar- keted and these new color shades result- very technical degree in nutrition, genetics, and fur quality know-how. A knowledge of ing from skilled breeding became quickly mink diseases and theircontrolisalso popular to consumers.By 1945 saleof mutation mink for breeders in addition to important. expanding demand far thefurs gave a An economic unit or the sizeof a new impetus totheindustryinClatsop mink ranch necessary to provide one family County. a livingis at least 200 breeders. In start- ing Out to establish an economic unit, at From an estimated 20 farms of an least 50 breeders are considered necessary. averagesizeof100 breedersin1945, Sheds, cages, feeding equipment, and gen- ranchesinthe county grew to about 40 erally cold storagefacilitiesare required in number with an average of 350 breed- in the initial investment. ers at the present time. Established ranchers estimateitcost ClatsopCountypresentlyproduces 100 dollarstoincrease aherd by one the greatest share of mink from the five femalebreeder. Landrequirementsare major prcducing countiesof Oregon,in- nominal.Itis estimated that five to ten cluding Tillamook, Columbia, Marion and acresofusablelandis requiredfora Multnomah. Accordingto thereportsof satisfactory ranch size. Well drained sites the National Board of Fur Farm Organ- for buildings located away from noise and izations, Oregon ranks 6th inthe nation congestion are desirable. with the northern states of Wisconsin, Min- nesota, Michigan, Illinois, New York being A primary requisite for new-corners to larger producers in that order. the business is a background of experience most econornically gained from hiring out Oregonis producing approximately 4 on an established ranch for at least one percentofthenationalproductionof year. Without such backgorund a beginner nearly 3 million pelts annually. is apt to suffer unnecessary losses. New- comersshouldalsomakeadvancear- raised Mink are primarilyforpelt- rangements forasourceof minkfeed. ing, but some market for superior breed- Membership inthe producer co-opisad- ing animals also exists .The furs are sold visable as feed and other supplies are their primarily through auction houseslocated particular business. in Seattle, Minneapolis and New York City. Though mink furs depend on aluxury As evidence of the highly specialized market, that market has a favorable out- nature of this business,it was pointed out look as long as consumer's spendable in- by the committee that of the some 5,000 come remains high. ranchesnationally,there are some 850 operators going in and out of the business The industryisalso exporting about eachyear.The turnover has also been 12 per cent of the total U. S. production, noticeableinClatsop County wherethe b4 at the $Qrne time glnwstI million committee estimatedthat bowt 20 per Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 27

cent of those starting stay with the busi- ception of dairying,itis a much talked ness. The committee also pointed out that about business to get into. However, even a drop in pelt price from one year to the with normalincrease of breeders among next such as occurred in 1955-1956 can establishedranchers, thereis evidence of easily break ranchers just getting started a limiting supply of fish. in the business. The cost to the mink rancher for fish Advantages of Clatsop County for feed has increasedin the last few years Mink Production more than three fold. Price per pound for freshand frozenfishhas ranged from Two mainfactorsleadingto asize- one-half to as high as 6 cents the post able mink industry in Clatsop County have several years. The cost of scrap fish has been the nearness to a source of marine increased about 20 per cent the past year fish making up 60 per cent to 80per cent and nearly 1/3 over the past 3 years. Feed of the mink diet, and a mild climate fav- costs to produce one pelt may range from orable to Winter care of the animalsas fiveto ten dollars with the higher food well as protection from summer heat. costs tending to produce the better quality pelts.Other costs of labor and overhead Much research has gone into replac- added to ing the once predominantly horse meat this brings the overage cost of diet producing apelt to approximately twenty for domestic mink with othermeatby- dollars.National average selling is products and fish.Fish wastes from can- price currently slightly over twenty dollars. neries andthetonnage of non-foodor scrap fish brought in by fishermen have The committee believes there is grave made thelocalminkbusinesspossible. danger of a short supply of fish and mink With cost of fresh scrap fishincreasing feed. That, along with higher prices for the steadily, however, there is danger of this fishposes areallimitingfactor to the advantage being lost. growth of this industry in Clatsop County. A few mink ranchers now own fishing boats An indirect advantage of thisarea is the experience of most ranchersin the pro- in order to be more assured of adequate supply. duction of mutation mink. Oregon hasled in the development ofnew fur colors and Also, presenting some disadvantage in quality thatis recognized nationally, and this area are the transportation costs of though other states are capable of similar materials, and the high cost of farm labor. production, some lead may bemaintained by alert producers. The climate, though uniform, does add to the deterioration of the cages and to the Of a general advantageto the mink care of damp cages to prevent discolora- industry, is the affiliated andactive mem- tion of furs. These disadvantages have been bershipexisting among ranchers at the off-set in the past because of the above local,state and nationallevel.Their or- average value of mutation mink. However, ganizations are wellestablishedinmar- other mink producing areas are capable of keting, research, and advertisingprograms equally good pelt production as wellas in that are supported by withholdinga small many cases being closer to by-products of percentage of the pelt prices paidto pro- the packing plants, cereals, transportation ducers. centers, etc.

Disadvantages of This Area Other Fur Bearing Animals Sincethisfurbusinesshas grossed Many inquiries about producing Chin- more income toClatsop Countyinthe chilla and also Nutria come to the atten- past two or three years thanother agri- tion of the Extension Service, Chamber of cultural enterprises, witlthe possibiçex.. Commerce an growers,ItIs the opinion 28 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference of the committee that production of these The committee also coiled attention animals for fur must depend eventually on to the need for fUrther study on the the sale of pelts, and since no dependable practicabilityofutilizing mink car- market inline with high cost of breeders casses as a fish hatchery feed. has beenestablished,thebusinesses are A recommendation was also made to consideredhighlyspeculative atpresent. The committee would encourage anyone make known the needs of the mink industry for a galvanizing plant near interestedinthese enterprises to contact Astoria. At present cages are being established auction companies dealingin furs for the most recent market situation. regalvanized in Portland at a cost of 45 cents to 65 cents each and if a Recommendations local plant were feasible it would save high transportation costs for the bulky The committee believes a wider source cages. Also, such a plant might serve of protien feed is needed, and look to other local industries needing galvan- such items as conned by-products of izing work. the meat packing plants, by-products of poultry meat processing, and ad- The committeealsosuggestedthat ditionalfishproducts to supply the mink manure be analized foritsfer- increased need. tilizer value and that this value be made knowntolivestockoperators 2. The Fur Breeders research laboratory forpasturefertilization.Itisesti- at Oregon StateCollegeisencour- mated that about one half ofthis aged by the committee to set up mink some 4 million pounds of mink feed feeding experiments using wheat, and prepared and fed in the county is left also to further consider the possibili- available as a valuable fertilizer by- ties for use of fish meal in conjunc- product. tion with cereals. They also expressed need for the experimental laboratory The committee recommended that fur tocarry out some means of feeding breeders inClatsop County continue so that at least some of the animals to support the 4-H Mink Project, and are fed whole fish rather than cleaned assistwith obtainingaleader and in order tduplicate ranch conditions, eligible club members. Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 29

FAMILY LIFE COMMITTEE

LEADERSHIP TRAINING time; 4 health doesn't permit; others are as follows: The major interest of the Family Life Committee wasyouth.Thenumberof Was a teacher but children make young people in Clatsop County is rapidly her nervous and are too demand- increasing. One of the greatest needs is for ing.Parents should teach children adult leadership in youth activitiesin the torespect older people. church,school,and youthorganizations. Leave that to tie younger gen- Other problems as seen by the committee eration. My occupation keeps me were: around youths, therefore I like to The need for training of youth leaders relaxin my sparc time.Difficult forworkinchurch andorganized togetparentalandcommunity youth groups. support.

Lack of parent interestin youth ac- I have a baby at home. tivities. Doesn't feelthat she has nec- Need for teaching youth and adults essary patience. safety in driving. I would have togiveup my Need for marriage counseling. other activities. The FamilyLife Committee formu- Can't seem to find enough ideas lated a questionaire, in an attempt to dis- of my own to keep youthinter- cover the amounts of interest that exists ested. Not enough cooperation. inyouth activities.Each member of the Children make her nervous. committee asked five people to complete the questianaire. The reports were compiled Over half of the group had worked as and the results are as follows: leaders at some time but very few had Do you participate in youth activities? continued as active leaders. As a leader or teacher? Answers The survey indicated that many people Yes 9, No 19. were willingto help with youth activities As aninterestedparent? An- but not as a leader. swers Yes 24, No 15. Lack of time seemed to be an im- Have you ever worked in youth ac- portant reason for not participating as a tivities as a leader? Yes 17, No 14. leader. Would you like to work as a leader? Over half of the group answering the Yes 4, No 27, Later1. questionaire said that they had participated in youth activities as interested parents. If the answer to No. 3 is "Yes", what type of a group would you be inter- The Family Life Committee summar- ested in working with? Answers: 4-H ized the reasons for lack of participation 1,Just any1,Girls groups1, and in youth activities as follows: no specific group 1. o. Lack of training on how towork If the answer to No. 3isNo, give with boys andgirls and how. to reasons why they havenotpartici- involveparentsin. the youth ac- pated. Answers: 13 answered,no tivity. 30 Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference

Lack of training in subject mat- Somepeopleneedhelpbuttheir ter. problems never come to the attention of anagency. A few peoplewith In some casescapablecom- problems are being assisted by a psy- munity people have not beenin- chiatristof the Oregon State Board vited to become leaders. of Health. Many youth are also as- sisted by this service. This indicates Recommendations on Leadership Needs that there is some need for counseling The committee recommends that spe- help among young people. cial training on how to work with boys ClatsopCountyhas approximately and girls be mc.de available to lead- seven divorcesforten marriages. ers, present and prospective. These statistics may include the tran- sient population who are married else- Youthorganizationssuthas4-H where and obtain divorces in Clatsop Clubs, Scouts and church groups pro- County. These figures do indicate that vide training courses in subject mat- some folks might need helpin ter for their youth leaders. the area of marriage counseling. Since many parents seem to have had The Astoria Councilof Churchesis very little contact with youth groups, consideringopeningonofficefor an effort should be made to inform familycounseling inAstoria.The them of the nature and purposes of ministers who have been trainedin young people's organizations. counseling will work with people re- An effort should be made on the part quiringhelp.Detailsofthisplan of county and community leaders to have not been worked out. The other discover and involve all possible local possibility is to employ a professional peopleintheactivitiesof a youth person on a full time basis to handle organization.This canleadtothe this work. discovery of new leaders as well as Recommendations for Family Counseling relieve the responsibility of some of the present leaders. Support should be given to efforts to set up a family counseling service for FAMILY COUNSELING Clatsop County. Counseling help should be availablefor anyone who Aninvestigation was madeofthe needs the help. An effort should be possibility of a family counseling service made to fill the needs of high school in Clatsop County since members of some students. families have problemsrequiringprofes- sional services. Reports were given by Gor- Community study groupsshould be don Storaasli,Council of Churches; and organized. These groups would be led Mrs. Bertha Roth, County Welfare Office, by local people and would study any on the situation in the county and possible area of interest that the group wished. ways of handling the problem. Itis especially important that young married people be offeredinforma- It isdifficultto determineexactly tion which will assist them in raising how much need exists for counseling, how- their family. ever.Following ore a few facts that give some indication: Lectures on FamilyLifeshould be given by professionally trained people. 1. The county welfare office has frequent A series of sessions on a specific sub- requests to help people who are fac- ject such as Preparing for Marriage, ing marriage preblems. and Child Developmentisdesirable. Clatsop County Agricultural Outlook Conference 31

Family Life courses should be offered school board is considering a course which in schools.Itis important that those would offer driver training to students in teachingthesecoursesreceiveade- Astoria. Parentswill have an opportunity quate training. to vote on whether or not this program should be established. At present the only DRIVER TRAINING driver training program available to adults isin Seaside. A need exists in the county for training for those learning to drive. Recommendations for Driver Training A course is offered to adults in Sea- side.Fourteen lessons are reqquired at a A committee should be appointed to explore the possibilitiss of setting up a costof $28.50 per person. Thelessons are two hours long with four people at- driver education program for adults tending each class. The course in Seaside inClatsop County. This group would will not be available after June 1956. need to consider costs, the number of people who might need the training A program for driver training is also and ways in which this training might being offered for sophomores at the Sea- be set up. sidehigh school. The high costsof this training presents a budget problem in the 2. When itis financially feasible, driver schools. education courses should be provided to high school students. These courses ThehighschoolinAstoriaoffers should include both classroom study classroom work indriver education. The and driver training.

For further information contact: Clatsop County Extension Service Room 214, Astoria Post Office Building Phone 481