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. . . O!H258 CHAPTER IV D1PROVEMEIlT AND EXTENSION Agricultural Economy Although there is an elevation difference of about 1,500 feet over the project irrigation service area, there is only a small varia- tion in the leDgth of the growing aeason of the project lands. The frost-free period at Montrose averages about 150 days and is adequate for maturing a wide variety of crops. Annual precipitation averages about 9 inches which is insufficient for production of crops without irrigation. There has been a continuing decrease in acreages producing forage crops and most small grains and a corresponding increase in acreages producing malting barley and more intensive field crops, especially sugar beets and onions. Production of fruit is also increasing. 'ftIe trend toward more intensive cash crops is expected to continue and could accelerate with the availability of additional irrigation water at times of peak crop needs. Present shortages of irrigation water occur principally during periods of critical need when crops are maturing. The shortages vary from year to year and are greater in certain segments of the project lands. Farm sizes vary from small acreages to large livestock enter- prises. Some of the small fruit farms require almost full time attention by the operators and also require hiring of additional seasonal labor. Other less intensive farms provide employment during the growing and harvesting period but leave the farmers free to seek off-farm work during the winter. Lands of the larger farms are devoted principally to production of forage crops in support of livestock operations and require continuous labor by the operators. Projected farm sizes and types range from 33-acre fruit farms to 190-acre dairy farms and include 60 to 70-acre cash crop farms, and 120 to l60-acre combined cash crop and livestock farms. As a basis for estimating irrigstion benefits, farm budgets were analyzed for types of fanns that reflect the trend toward ..ore intensive fanns and should be representative of conditions 15 to 20 years in the future. In the benefit analysis, the projected land use was 10 percent for fruit production, 10 percent for dairy- ing, and the remaining 80 percent for combination cash crop and livestock production. The total annual benefit per acre was com- puted to be $293 or $69.43 per acre-foot of water delivered to farms. Benefits Development of the Uncompahgre i1ll1'rovement and extension plana would produce tangible benefits from irrigation, municipal and indus- trial water, recreation, fish and wildlife enhancement, salinity control, flood control, residential area improvement, and area redevelopment. 61