ALABAMA
AGRI iCULTURE
ITS RESOURCES AND THEIR USES
Circular M-8
Extension Service
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
GROWING SEASON and RAINFALL
Length of Growing Season (Days)
300
Spring Frost Data
APR.5 ..
MAR.31
Annual Precipitation
Fall Frost Date
OCT. 31
NOV. 5
NOV. 10
OAR.25
-MAR. 20
MAR. 20
MAR. I5
MAR. 10
MAR. 5
FEB. 15
Source of Data: U.S. Weather Bureau
Alabama's climate ranges from temperate in the
north to subtropical in the south. The growing season
averages 200 days in the northern part of the state, 240
days in the central and 300 to 320 days near the Gulf
Coast. The average annual minimum temperatures
vary from about 5'above zero in the northern part to
about 30' above at the coast. Average annual precipi-
tation, mainly rainfall, is ample for most crops, but is
not uniform in distribution throughout the seasons nor
is it uniform in amount throughout the state. It aver-
-~ages 50 inches in the north and 60 inches near the
Gulf Coast.
I L~UI/I~U::I::: ::I' :');'-:. :::.'.'.~%'11//~-:;: 1
ALABAMA
AGRICULTURE
its Resources and Their Uses
By Foy Helms'
This publication hopes to serve a double purpose:
one, to bring those who work closely with Alabama
Agriculture up to date on its present status and con-
dition; two, to acquaint the stranger with the gen-
eral characteristics of Alabama agriculture and its
resources.
FARMING AREAS
Alabama may be divided into nine major farming
areas based on variations in soils topography, el-
evation and climate. Other factors affecting types
of farming include tenure, proportion of total land
area in farms, proportion of farm land in crops, and
relative importance of crop and livestock enter-
prises.
1. TENNESSEE AND LIMESTONE VALLEYS. Level
lands in these areas were organized into plantations
as early as 1810. The valleys' heavy soils, reason-
ably level topography and numerous large holdings
have encouraged mechanization. Cotton, corn and
hay are the principal harvested crops. Yields of
cotton and corn are relatively high. With proper
management, these areas produce excellent pasture
and forage crops.
2. SAND MOUNTAIN. This area includes all the
Appalachian Mountain region in Alabama. Farms
are small and farmers are relatively self-sufficient in
food and feed. The leading crops in number of
acres are cotton, corn and hay, with oats, sweet-
potatoes, irish potatoes and vegetables next in im-
portance. Dairying and raising poultry and hogs are
becoming increasingly important cash enterprises.
Farming in the mineral and industrial portion of
the Sand Mountain area is largely a self-sufficient or
part-time operation.
3. TALLADEGA MOUNTAINS. The topography of
the Talladega Mountain area is generally rough and
rugged. Agriculture is of little importance; most of
the area is in timber.
4. PIEDMONT PLATEAU. Much of the Piedmont
Plateau is unsuitable for row crops. In recent years
some of the eroded land no longer used for crops
has been converted to pasture. Fencing, filling
ditches, some leveling and re-terracing, as well as
fertilizing, liming and seeding are often necessary
to reclaim such land. Beef anud dairy cattle ar e
* Mr. Helms, until his retirement in May 1964, was
the livestock best adapted to the area. Commercial
broiler production is expanding in certain localities.
A large part of the rural population works in cotton
mills or in other non-farm industries.
5. UPPER COASTAL PLAIN. Some parts of the
area are almost level; others are rugged and hilly,
with farming done in small, irregular fields. Cot-
ton, corn, oats and hay are the principal harvested
crops. Production of beef and dairy cattle, as well
as hogs, is becoming increasingly important.
6. BLACK BELT. Large land holdings are typ-
ical of the Black Belt. If well managed, pastures
provide grazing nine months a year or more. John-
songrass, dallis grass, bermudagrass, Caley peas,
and white and other clovers are the principal past-
ure plants. The Black Belt area has long been the
major beef- and milk-producing area of Alabama.
7. SOUTHWESTERN PINEY WOODS. Good farm-
ing tracts are few. Topography varies from flat
woods to rugged hills; forests cover most of the
area.
8. LOWER COASTAL PLAIN. In the eastern part
of the Lower Coastal Plain, peanuts, hogs and cot-
ton are the most important products. Cattle are
raised and corn, hay and some vegetables are also
produced. Topography, which ranges from nearly
level to rolling, is slightly rougher in the western
part of the area where a larger percentage of the
land is in woods.
9. GULF COAST. The long growing season in
this area favors production of irish potatoes, sweet-
economist of the Auburn University Extension Service.
3
Farming Areas
SOIL PROVINCES and TOPOGRAPHY
Soil Provinces
Elevation
= Limestone Valleys
Appalachian Mountains
Upper Coastal Plain
Lower Coastal Plain
Piedmont Plateau
Black Belt
potatoes and other vegetables. In heavily fertilized
soils, irish potatoes are usually followed the same
season by soybeans. Livestock production is inten-
sive in parts of the area.
Alabama has more varied geological formations
than any other southern state. Its six broad soil
provinces have approximately 300 soil types. These
vary from deep sands to heavy clays. Some of the
sandy soils are so deficient in organic matter that
they are almost sterile; others are highly productive.
The clay soils range from heavy, plastic, sticky and
poorly drained types to clays that are easily worked
and highly productive. Some soils respond better
to fertilization and good management than others.
Erosion control problems are more serious on some
soils than on others.
Elevations range from sea level in southwestern
Alabama to more than 1,600 feet in the northeastern
part of the state. The average elevation is about
600 feet. The highest point, 2,407 feet, is in Cheaha
State Park in Cleburne County.
A brief discussion of soils and topography in the
various provinces follows:
1. LIMESTONE VALLEY soils are considered good.
They vary in color from gray to brown and red.
Texture ranges from sandy loams to clay loams.
Generally the soils are well drained and nearly
level to undulating in topography.
FEET
E-Under 100 M 500-999
71100-499 M1,000 and Over
2. APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN soils are gray to
brown silt and fine, sandy loams. They are well
drained and are easy to till where topography is
not too rugged. These soils respond readily to good
management and high fertilization.
3. UPPER COASTAL PLAIN soils are extremely
variable in type and texture. Most soils are sandy,
but in some sections they are stiff red and gray clay.
Inherently rich soilsthat respond readily to fertiliz-
ing are in the river terraces and flood plains that
cut across the area. Soils in the area generally are
well drained.
4. LOWER COASTAL PLAIN soils vary from nearly
pure sand to heavy clays that seldom make first-class
farm land in their natural condition. Some of these
soils are as productive as any in the state.
5. PIEDMONT PLATEAU soils, geologically the
oldest in the south, are brown to red in color. The
rolling, variable topography presents a problem of
erosion control where row crops are grown.
6. BLACK BELT soils are predominantly heavy
clays ranging in color from gray to red to black.
The gray and black lands are lime soils well suite 1
to grassland farming. Topography is nearly level
to gently rolling.
I ~:; '.r: ~~:C~:;:::::: :;'h~'//////lUI//
BASIC DATA on ALABAMA'S AGRICULTURE*
(Compared to averages for selected areas)
Alabama Ala., 
Miss., East North 
United
Ga. and Tenn. Central States
Number of farms (average per state) 115,788 140,651 133,239 77,802
Acres per farm 143 121 155 
303
Per cent of farms less than 100 acres 67 65 41 
46
Per cent:
Land in farms 51 59 
66 49
Land rented 27 24 39 36
Tenants 28 23 
18 20
White farm operators 75 82 97 
93
Operators working off farm 100 days or more 71 66 68 
67
Per cent of farms with:
Telephone 34 40 
81 65
Tractor 46 
47 89 72
Per cent of farm land used for:
Crops (includes cropland used only for pasture) 36 46 
70 40
Pasture (inclules cropland and woods pastured) 42 
44 24 56
Woods 47 37 
16 15
Per cent of harvested cropland in corn 50 
37 40 26
Yield of corn per acre, bushels 25 34 
64 53
Per cent of, harvested cropland in cotton 21 17 
0 5
Yield of cotton per acre, pounds lint 413 499 
456
Number of livestock per farm:
All cattle and calves 18 
17 29 35
Milk cows 4 
5 13 10
All hogs and pigs 16 
15 61 37
Chickens 96 
69 174 162
Sales per farm $3,578 $3,506 
$7,810 $8,218
Per cent from crops 47 53 
37 44
Per cent livestock and livestock products 53 47 
63 56
Per cent forest products 3 2 
.3 .6
Value, farm land, buildings, per acre, 1960 89 11 5 
239 115
Index of farm real estate value,
1961 (1947-49 = 100) 180 156 
117 175
Taxes levied on farm real estate per acre, 1960 $ .33 $ .55 
$2.75 $1.22
Taxes levied on farm real estate per $100
full value, 1960 $ .35 $ .45 
$1.27 $ .97
Rate of interest (per cent) charged on oustanding
farm mortgage debt, 1959 5.4 5.5 
5.21 5.4
Until 1956, crop sales made up the larg-
est proportion of Alabama's farm income.
Since 1956, receipts from livestock, includ-
ing poultry, and livestock products have ex-
ceeded receipts from crops. This change
has been rapid. For example, in 1950 sales
of livestock and livestock products made up
only 36 per cent of the total receipts. In
1962 livestock, including poultry, and live-
stock products accounted for 60 per cent of
the total receipts.
During the 1957-61 period, poultry and
poultry products accounted for 23.7 per
cent of the total sales of farm products.
Receipts from cotton and cottonseed ac-
counted for 22.5 per cent and were, until
1961, the chief source of income from
farm marketings.
CASH FARM
MILLION DOLLARS
INCOME-ALABAMA, 1924-60
TOTAL CASH RECEIPTS
1924 1 1934 I 944 1 1954
1930 1940 1950
PER CENT of TOTAL SALES from VARIOUS FARM
ALABAMA, 1957-61 AVERAGE
19601960
PRODUCTS,
PRODUCT PER CENT
Poultry & Products (Incl. Broilers) 
23.7
Cotton & Cottonseed 22.5
Cattle & Calves 17.6
Hogs 
8.0
Dairy Products 7.8
Other Crops 
53
Forest Products 
4.0
Peanuts 
3.6
Fruits, Tree Nuts,
Greenhouse & Nursery 3.6
Corn 3.4
Other Livestock &
Livestock Products 0.5
0 10 20 30
6
TRENDS
Mechanization, pushed ahead by science and
technology, has advanced rapidly in recent years.
Number and Size of Farms, Alabama,
THOUSAND FARMS
400
300 \
200
20\ NUMBER OF FARMS
S- - AVERAGE SIZE
100 ,
Moreover, with the increasing importance of live-
stock and its products, land use has changed greatly.
1860-1960
ACRES
400 
The following
graphs show some of
these changes: Farm
size and number have
300 
changed continually
since 1860. The num-
ber of farms increased
\ 
until there 
were 273,-
20 455 in 1935; since
200 then the number has
decreased and is pre-
sently 114,000. Con-
versely, size decreased
6-0 0 100 
from 1860 to 1930;
--- then it began to in-
crease steadily.
1860 '70 '80 '90 1900 '10 '20 '30 '40 '50 '60
The trend in Ala-
bama's corn acreage
was upward until
1940. Average yields
changed little f r o m
18 66 to the mid-
1940's. Since then
corn yields have in-
creased due to the use
of adapted hybrids,
high fertilization,
thick spacing and
other improved prac-
tices. In the last de-
cade this acreage,
however, has declined
by more than half.
THOUSAND
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
Acreage
THOUSAND ACRES
4,000 f[
3,000
2,000
1,000
Acreage and Yield of Corn, Alabama, 
1866-1962
ACRES 
BUSHELS PER ACRE
40
, 30
ACRES --
YE 20
YIELD-/
' / 10
1866 '70 '80 '90 1900 
'10 '20 '30 '40 
'50 '60 '62
and Yield of Cotton, Alabama, 1866-1962
POUNDS PER ACRE
, vFl , h l o500
375 While corn 
acreage
rose from 1915 to
1935, cotton acreage
changed little. Since
250 1935 both corn 
and
cotton acreages have
declined. Cotton now
occupies only 850,-
125 000 
acres.
125
1866 '70 '80 '90 1900 '10 '20
'30 '0 5 60 12
THOUSAND HEAD
Milk Cows and Cattle: Number 
on Farms,
Alabama, 1867-1963
While the number
of all cattle has in-
creased, the percent-
age of milk cows has
declined. In 1 9 5 0
there were approxi-
mately 1.3 million
head of cattle and
calves on Alabama
farms. Of this num-
ber more than 365,-
000 were milk cows.
By 1963 the total
number of cattle had
increased to 1,723,-
000 head, and slight-
ly more than 1.25
million head of these
were beef cattle.
1870 '80 '90 1900 '10 '20
Hogs: Number on Farms, Alabama, 1867-1963
THOUSAND HEAD
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
0
'30 '40 
'50 '60
Number of hogs on
Alabama farms has
fluctuated from a low
of about 775,000
head in 1926 to a
h ig h of 1,640,000
head in 1898. The
current average num-
ber is about 933,000
head.
1870 '80 '90 1900 '10 '20 '30 '40 '50 '60
Since 1940 trac-
tors have largely
taken the place of
work stock on Ala-
bama farms. There
were more than 90,-
000 tractors on Ala-
bama farms in 1963.
Mechanization, al-
though not yet com-
plete, i s increasing
rapidly.
THOUSAND HEAD
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Tractors and Workstock: Number on Farms,
Alabama, 1867-1963
THOUSAND TRACTORS
TRACTORSY'
M ULES"0
S....... .' HORSES /
1870 '80 '90 1900 '10 '20 '30 '40 '50 '60
100
50
0
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
ALL CATTLE -_
MILK COWS7
Alba
FARM CHARACTERISTICS
Maps on the following pages illustrate on a
county basis the state's farm distribution, farm land
use, crop yields, livestock production patterns, other
related facts and points of interest. (To locate
counties by name, see the key map with county
names on the outside of the back cover.)
The greatest proportion of farm land is found in the farms. Average farm size in the northeastern area is
northern, southeastern and central areas of Alabama. somewhat below the state average. Size of farms, how-
North central counties have the greatest number of ever, is increasing throughout the state.
Cropland
As a Percentage of
All Farm Land,
1o-o
Land in Pasture
as a Percentage
of All Farm Land,
1o 9
Land in Woods
as a Percentage
of all Farm Land,
1959
Counties in the northwestern and southeastern parts
of the state have the highest percentages of farm land
in crops. Using land for pasture is more predominant in
the Black Belt than in other areas. Highest proportions of
farm land in woods are found in southwestern Alabama
and in certain central Alabama counties.
9
Percentage of Total
Land Area in Farms, Number of Farms,
1959 195919
I I ~nrl In U~LC)llrd
AvrgeSzofFams
I nousandA cres I nousandA cres InousandA -cres
=UndJrE15 Under 10 KQ = Under 1.0
25 and Over 20 and Over 10.0 and Over
Corn is Alabama's principal grain crop. All counties Alabama counties also 
plant large cotton acreages. Pea-
produce corn, but the highest acreages in 1961 were nut production is concentrated 
in southeastern Alabama
in the northern and southeastern counties. Cotton is where soils, climate, 
markets and other factors are most
grown in all parts of the state. In 1962 counties in favorable.
north Alabama had the greatest cotton acreages. South
Percentage of Total
Cropland in Pasture,
1959
F-]Under 20
MM20-29
IM30 and Over
Acres of
Improved Pasture,
1959
Land From Which
Hay Was Cut,
1959
1024
25 and Over 10 and Over
Natural advantages have encouraged the develop-
ment of pastures in the Black Belt area of the state. In
this area are found the highest percentages of cropland
(as classified by the United States Census) in pasture as
well as the greatest acreages of improved clover-grass
pasture. The concentration of hay production in south-
eastern Alabama results from saving peanut vines for
hay. Since about 1940 acreage devoted to perennial
hay crops, such as alfalfa and lespedeza, has expanded.
Acreage planted in annual hay crops has decreased
since 1940.
10
Corn for Grain Cotton Acreage,PentAra,
Acreage, 1961 1962 16
I I I Ih~ I IllnnF~T In I I) ( I IVI1Ut~l IV
~l~-~III~~U~ VI IVI~~I ALI~~ VI
Peanut Acreage,
1961
Beef Cattle on Farms,
Jan. 1, 1962
Milk Cows on Farms,
Jan. 1, 1962
Thousand Head
20-29
30 and Over
Distribution of cattle and calves on Alabama farms
closely follows the pattern of pasture land. Heaviest
concentration is in the Black Belt. Dairy cattle are
concentrated in areas close to the major markets. Hogs
Thousand Head
10-29
30 and Over
are more numerous in the commercial peanut counties.
Total livestock population in relation to harvested crop
acreage is greater in the Black Belt and southwestern
counties.
Egg production about meets state needs. Alabama Most vegetables, fruits and nuts in Alabama are
is becoming a commercial egg state. produced for the fresh market. A higher percentage of the
Broiler production in Alabama ranks third in the pecan crop is processed than any other crop in this cate-
nation. Production is largely concentrated in the north- gory.
eastern section.
-13 "--11
Hog s on Farms,
Jan. 1, 1962
' "'~rPTr~f~ r~~~\\\yurnm\\\\\\\\ r ~AII~SrP~U~rm smrmmmmu Y~U
Average Value of All Farm
Products Sold Per Farm,
1959
Dollars
LI]Under 1,500
1,500-2,999
3,000 and Over
The average value of all farm products sold per farm
in Alabama was $3,579 in 1959.
The state average value of land and buildings per
Average Value of Land
and Buildings Per Acre,
1959
75-149
150 and Over
acre was $92.26 in 1959. However, there was consider-
able variation among counties.
County Agents' Reports,
Tractors on Farms,
1962
F-] Under 1,000
M1,000-2,000
MM2,000 and Over
Mechanization has greatly increased during the last
10 years. According to the 1959 Census, 46.3 per cent
of all Alabama farms have tractors and practically all
commercial farms have tractors. There are now approxi-
mately 90,000 tractors on Alabama farms.
County Agents' Reports,
Mechanical Cotton Pickers
on Farms, 1962
IM75 and Over
During the last 10 years, mechanical cotton pickers
have become a common sight throughout Alabama.
About 35 per cent of the cotton is now harvested with
mechanical pickers and more cotton is harvested mech-
anically each year.
12
I ~,\\\\\~R\\\\\\\\\mmttmmttm;rmmmmtttwRlt I
I ~ifi~tfl uit~tf~ ~mmm,,,,,,,, ~S~tt~f
I r. r
POPULATION
Cities of 15,000 Population
or More, 1960
Percentage of White
Population to Total,
1960
Thousand Persons
EM25-49
MM50 and Over
'100,000 or More
*50,000-1 00,000
o 15,000-50,000
Per Cent
[LII Less Than 50
MM50-74
75 and Over
Alabama population increased from less than 
2 mil-
lion in 1900 to 3.2 million in 1960. Ninety per 
cent
was rural in 1900 as compared to 46 per 
cent in 1960.
Population, particularly in the lost 
10 years, has
shifted to those counties with concentrated 
industrial
development. These urban areas 
offer excellent op-
portunities for marketing many Alabama farm pro-
ducts. The number of cities with a population of 15,000
or more has increased by one-third during the last 10
years. With a few exceptions, counties in northern Ala-
bama have the highest percentage of white population.
13
POPULATION of ALABAMA, 1860-1960
THOUSAND PERSONS
3,000
2,000
1,000
1860 '70 '80 '0 1900 ' 
'20 '30 '40 '50 '60
Total Population,
1960
I
MARKETS and AREAS of PRODUCTION
Broiler Processing Plants,
Alabama, 1962
Avg. Weekly Output in
Peak Season (Lbs.)
* 1,200,000 or Mare
* 600,000- 1,999,999
.& 100,000 -599,999
o 50,000 -99,999
Fruit, Vegetable and Pecan
Markets, Alabama, 1963
* Farmers Gen. Product Wholesale Markets
,.Wholesale Receiver 
Distributors
LloShipping Pt. Receiver, 
Producer Shippers,
Co-ops and Processor Buying Stations
e Processors
o Pecan Receiver and/or Processor
Number of Dairies
by Counties, 1963
Less Than 10
25 -50
Over 50
Livestock Marketing Agencies
in Alabama Providing Farmers
a Direct Market, 1963
Packing Plants Auction Markets
Federally Inspected N Handle 25,000 Head
SLarge Non-Federally or 
More
Inspected El Handle 1025,000 Head
* Medium Non-Federally o Handle Less Than
Inspected 10,000 Head
Since most of the broiler production is centered in
north and northeast Alabama, most of the processing
plants have developed in that area. Wherever pro-
duction spreads, plants naturally follow.
The number of commercial dairies has declined in re-
cent years but the dairies are still concentrated in, the old
producing areas. This corresponds with the distribution
of cows kept for milk shown previously in this publica-
tion.
Major fruit and 'vegetable markets are located where
fruits, berries and truck crops are of commercial im-
portance. Highest numbers of livestock auction mar-
kets are in southeastern and northern parts of the
state.
14
I - I\ I\
OTHER RESOURCES
WATER SUPPLY. Alabama is one of the 19 soft
water states. It has large rivers and numerous small
streams, as well as various underground water
sources. Good, pure water is available at low cost to
almost every farm and city in the state. However,
geological formations somewhat limit the water
supply in the Piedmont region of northeast central
Alabama.
TRANSPORTATION. Alabama's inland water trans-
portation is excellent, and the miles of navigable
streams are rapidly being increased by developments
along the major streams. There are also outstanding
port facilities at Mobile. Railroads serve every im-
portant section of the state. Hard-surfaced roads
are adequate, and many miles of interstate highway
are being constructed.
ELECTRIC POWER. Alabama is one of the leading
producers of electric power. Practically all farms
now have electricity.
MINERALS. Alabama is rich in mineral resources.
There are vast deposits of coal and iron ore. Other
important deposits are limestone, sand, gravel, mar-
ble, clay, kaolin, graphite, bauxite, sandstone, min-
eral waters and oil.
MANUFACTURING. An increasing number of
manufacturing industries have situated in Alabama
in the last 10 years. Steel and other hard goods are
the most important industries. Others include steel
products, textiles, lumber and allied groups, chem-
icals, foods, railway, building stone, clay products,
paper and fertilizer.
SCHOOLS. The consolidated elementary and high
schools available throughout the state are constantly
being improved. Attendance is compulsory from 7
to 16 years of age. There are many private, de-
nominational schools and several 
normal schools,
state colleges and universities.
YOUTH. Alabama's young people are its great-
est resource. Four-H Club work today helps de-
velop 182,000 young people's talents, leadership
abilities and work habits. Future Farmers and Fu-
ture Homemakers of America add another 25 to
30,000 to this number. These boys and girls will
be better prepared to accept responsibilities as
farmers, homemakers and leaders in agribusiness
fields and to be honest, dependable, hardworking
citizens.
TAXATION
In general, taxes levied on farm real estate in
Alabama are low compared to other states. In all
years for the period shown in the following table,
Alabama taxes per acre were below U.S. average.
TAXES ON FARM REAL ESTATE, ALABAMA AND U.S.,
SPECIFIED YEARS
Alabama
Dollars
Year per
acre
1909-13
1920
1925
1930
1935
1940
1945
1948
1949
1950
1960
0.09
.19
.21
.25
.21
.20
.22
.23
.24
.25
.383
Dollars
per $100
full value
0.60
.82
.81
.98
1.07
.93
.65
.51
.56
.53
.35
U.S.
Dollars
per
acre
0.21
.51
.56
.57
.37
.38
.41
.57
.61
.64
1.22
Dollars
per $100
full value
0.50
.79
1.07
1.30
1.15
1.22
.90
1.00
1.10
1.01
.97
Personal as well as real property is taxed in Ala-
bama. Taxes are due October 1, but no penalty for
nonpayment is incurred until after January 1. A
homestead is exempt from Alabama state taxes to the
extent of $2,000 assessed value provided the home-
stead does not exceed 160 acres in size.
Alabama has a net income tax similar to the
Federal income tax but with lower rates. Single
persons must file if their net income from salaries,
wages, interest, rents, businesses, professions or
other sources is $1,500 or more. Married persons
living with husband or wife must file if net income
is $3,000 or more. Itemized deductions similar
to those of the Federal government or standard
deductions are allowed. Rates range from 11/2 per
cent on the first $1,000 or fraction of net income
(above exemptions of $300 for each dependent and
deductions) to 5 per cent on net income over
$5,000.
15
THE FUTURE of ALABAMA AGRICULTURE
Agricultural production is being increased, and
the use of land, labor, capital and management is
becoming more efficient. There are still oppor-
tunities for advancement, however, and production
practices can be improved.
Livestock, poultry and poultry product enter-
prises make more money than all other state crops
combined. Broiler,. egg and beef cattle industries
are still expanding rapidly. The increased produc-
tion of livestock and poultry shows that Alabama
farmers are taking advantage of the long growing
season for pastures and other feed crops. Livestock
and poultry industries are making better use of
labor, buildings, machinery and equipment on Ala-
bama farms.
Progress is being made in field crop production.
Better maintenance practices, especially proper use
of fertilizers, are making Alabama land more pro-
ductive. Yields and quality are being improved
through use of recommended hybrid seed. In 1940
less than 1 per cent of the state's corn acreage was
planted to hybrid seed of adapted varieties. Now
practically all the acreage is planted to hybrid seed.
Mechanization and other technological and scienti-
fic developments are also being used on Alabama
farms.
These steps forward and the prospect for good
markets and fair returns on products indicate an en-
couraging future for Alabama agriculture. The
potential is still far above the production now being
achieved on Alabama farms.
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