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<br />will increase slightly in the Dolores Project area. Irrigated agriculture is <br />suited to the area with an estimated 27,750 acres of potential irrigable cropland <br />in the study area. All irrigable land is in private ownership. The median size <br />of irrigated fam is estimated by OOR to be 325 acres. The average overall per <br />acre value of farmland is $270, with irrigated cropland ranging fran $1,000 to <br />$3,000 per acre !il. The per farm market value of products sold is $13,942 for <br />Montezuma Cmmty am $5,740 for Dolores County !il. <br /> <br />In studies done by the Bureau of Reclamation 10-15 years ago, dry cropland <br />in the Dove Creek area was approximately 70% drybeans, 20% smaIl grains, with the <br />remainder in fallCM or idle land. This was the general croppi~ pattern over the <br />preceding 50 years in the Dove Creek area. The dry cropland family fams were <br />generally passed dCMn fran generation to generation. <br /> <br />Crop rotations have changed dramatically since then. Presently in the seven <br />blocks of the Dove Creek area, 50-70% of the dry cropland is in alfalfa with the <br />remainder ~ually divided between small grains am drybeans along with a small <br />amOlmt of fallCM idle land. It is anticipated that the crop distribution will <br />contirue to change to alfalfa upon completion of the Dolores Project. However, <br />the significant change to alfalfa has already occured. <br /> <br />Due to the high elevations and short growing season, only a limited nmber <br />of crops have been fotmd that will grCM camnercially in the area. CSU is still <br />continuing to look for additional crops that can be caIIIlercially produced. <br /> <br />The projected croppi~ patterns by a majority of the fanners interviewed <br />were as follows: <br />either 5 years of alfalfa, followed by 2 years of small grains or 5 years of <br />alfalfa followed by 1 year of dry beans and 1 year of small grains. <br /> <br />Anticipated yields will increase substantially with conversion fran dry to <br />irrigated cropland. Yield estimated are as follows: <br /> <br />Crt <br />A alfa <br />Small Grain <br />Dry Bean <br /> <br />~land <br />. - 2.0 Tons <br />18 - 20 Bu. <br />300 - 400 lbs. <br /> <br />Irrigated <br />4.0 - 5.0 Tons <br />65 - 80 Bu. <br />1300 - 1800 lbs. <br /> <br />Yields for both center pivot and side roll were estimated to be <br />approximately the same. Yield data were obtained fran irrigation fanners in the <br />area as well as the San Juan Research Center, Cortez Unit, OOR am SCS <br />agronanists. <br /> <br />Presently, there are numerous fams for sale, with IIDre expected in the <br />future men irrigation is in place. Family fanns are bei~ subdivided and sold <br />in the area resulting in the average cropland size per fam to decrease. <br /> <br />!il Bureau of Census, 1982 Census of Agriculture Colorado, U.S. Department of <br />Camnerce. <br /> <br />-8- <br />