from power revenues. Of the remaining costs, water users on irrigated land will repay 37 percent, and 5 percent by municipalities for domestic water supplies, or will be charged to flood control or other nonreimbursable activities." The Missouri River and its basin is the largest undeveloped natural resource in the United States. The area and fertility of land which can be reclaimed makes it certain that in time the value of its products and the number of people supported by argiculture will rival any similar area in this country. It flows through both arid and semiarid areas. Its basin is one of the foremost stock-raising and grain-growing sections of the United States. The portion of the river flowing through South Dakota is 534.2 miles long. It flows through a section of the State having about an average of 17 inches rainfall. South Dakota rainfall varies from year to year and season to season. It varies from 25 inches in the southeast corner to 16 inches in the northwest corner. On the basis of rainfall the State could be divided into three areas: the subhumid area in the southeast, the semiarid in the central section, and the arid area in the west. The area under discussion lies in the semiarid area. Normal rainfall in this area is little more than enough for crop production, and since it is frequently less than normal, crop failures, or near failures, have been frequent. Good crop yields are reported about 1 year in 5, poor yields 1 year in 4 or 5, and failures about 1 year in 7.3 The variation in wheat years in this area reflects the variation in rainfall. Variation in wheat yields central South Dakota (24) counties There is also a great variation in crop production between the subhumid and semiarid areas. This is shown in the following table where production is compared between the 24 counties in the central part of the State (semiarid area) and Moody County, located in the subhumid area. Variation in crop production, central South Dakota (24 counties) compared with east central South Dakota represented by Moody County It should be pointed out, however, that irrigation under semiarid conditions is distinctly different from irrigation under arid conditions. Under the latter no crop production is experienced without the aid of irrigation, while under the former the producers experience abundant production some years without irrigation. Semiarid areas are also subject to extreme variations in weather conditions, thus increasing farming hazards not experienced under arid conditions. 2 Farming hazards in the drought area, Work Projects Administration, Division Social Research. Relative importance of different causes of crop damake on 48 Hyde County, S. Dak., farms for a period averaging 19.1 years Source: Natural and Economic Factors Affecting Rural Rehabilitation Problems in Central South Dakota, Work Projects Administration Research Bulletin K-2. This fact should be kept clearly in the foreground when assessing the costs of the proposed Missouri River diversion project for irrigation. The proposed irrigation project will fail financially if high assessments are to be made against the acreage to be served by it. Only reasonable charges should be considered. A reasonable annual per acre charge for the use of the irrigation facilities must enable the producers to profit by the use of such facilities, permit the entire refunding of the construction costs within a 30-year period, and pay the current annual operation and maintenance costs of the project. Part of the costs of construction must be charged against flood control, power development, and navigation in order to keep irrigation charges within the ability of the land to pay. Rain must be considered a secondary source of water supply, and a supplement to irrigation. A process of education is very important on a project of this type at all times, and without it, failure will likely result. The land that the Missouri River water will irrigate lies on the west slope of the James River Basin, extending from Aberdeen to Mitchell. The following table gives the counties and the areas of each that is on the west slope of the James River. These acreages are estimates and by no means can all this area be irrigated, for even if the soil was all suitable for irrigation, we are told that 750,000 acres will be the maximum acreage that the available water will adequately serve. SOILS The soils in the James River Basin are variable, but generally good for farm crops. Most of the soils are light enough to be well adapted to irrigation. A great deal of work will need to be done on classifying the soils in the basin to find out which sections are and are not suited for irrigation. Some portions of the valley, especially along the river itself, are so flat that drainage facilities will be necessary. INCREASE IN YIELDS How much will irrigation increase crop yields in this valley? The following table gives the average yield of the various crops over a period of years and the estimated yields one might expect under irrigation. Table showing average yields of various crops in the James River Basin and estimated average yields under irrigation Seed production of legumes and grasses appears to have excellent cash crop possibilities under irrigation. Successful production of legume and grass seeds depends on controlled moisture and dryer climatic conditions. FARM ENTERPRISE The average size farm in the area is about 440 acres. The present farm organization is about as follows: Under irrigation the size of unit will be reduced to 100 to 160 acres making it possible for the area to support four families against one that it supports at the present time. The main crops will be alfalfa, corn pasture, and intensive row crops. A discussion of the farm organization appears later in this paper. It may be possible under certain situations to have a unit comprising both irrigated and range land. This combination has proven very successful. THE PLACE OF LIVESTOCK Every successful irrigation project involves a livestock economy in order to increase the farm income, to diversify in the production of agricultural products, and to assist in maintaining the fertility of soil and in producing more abundant crops. The area has the possibility of becoming a feed buffer area in years of drought. The greater amounts of grain and roughage produced under irrigation could be used for wintering breeding herds in adjacent areas which might be affected by drought. The more dependable pasture and feed-crop production would make possible an increased production of swine. It is reasonable to assume that swine production could be doubled if prices remain favorable. Good quality feeder cattle and lambs are produced in the range area immediately to the west of the basin. At present, some are marketed in the feeding areas of this State, but the greater number find markets in other States. Because of the availability of feed under irrigation, a larger percent of these feeders will be fattened for market within the irrigation area. Thus the project would increase the amount of fattening cattle, sheep, and hogs within the State. DAIRYING Irrigation on the James River will make possible the production of alfalfa, corn for silage, and good pasture. These crops are essential to the most economical dairying. The deterrent in the development of dairying in the irrigated land in the James River is the (1) type of people who live on the land, (2) available labor, (3) markets, and (4) competitive enterprises. Brief quotations from authorities in dairying in States where irrigation is now practiced, will corroborate this view. Utah.-"Most of the dairying in the State is carried on on irrigated land." Pasture, alfalfa, silage corn depend on irrigation. Idaho.-"If it were not for irrigation there would be little or no dairying in the State. Approximately 92 percent of butterfat is produced on irrigated land in the State." Montana. "The dairy industry in the State centers largely on the irrigated farms in the State. Dairying would not amount to much in this State if it were not for irrigation." Wyoming. "Dairying in this State would be very limited indeed without irrigation." Oregon.-"Our major post-war efforts will be further development of irrigation for pasture and flood control in Willamette Valley. One-third of farmers in Tillamook County with close to 100 inches of rainfall are using irrigated systems. The history of dairying in South Dakota has always been one of increasing when prices are high, and going out of business when prices are low. The reason that our farmers change so readily is because dairying is a minor enterprise. The investment in cattle, buildings, and other equipment is not sufficient to deter them from changing to more grain farming, or disposing of their herds as market animals. With a stable crop production under irrigation, there is a greater possibility of making dairying a major enterprise of the farm. POULTRY Without question, each farm family will maintain a flock of chickens. The size of the flock will depend upon the size of the unit. If the units are to be large, poultry flocks will likely be kept to a minimum. This is usually the case, because operators are busy with other enterprises. If the units are around 80 acres in size, the poultry enterprise becomes one of a major source of income, and larger flocks can be expected. There will be room for a limited number of strictly poultry farms. Increased poultry production in this area, may mean the establishing of poultry dressing and processing plants in and around Huron and Aberdeen. INSECTS In the proposed area to irrigate, drought is undoubtedly the greatest hazard to the successful growing of crops. If the drought hazard is eliminated the injurious insect pests will become one of the most important of the remaining hazards to the successful growing of crops. Most of the insect pests that will become major hazards are already in the territory and many of these will be favored to some extent by the change from dry-land farming to that of farming through irrigation. Others are not in the territory at present but may invade it and thus become abundant and harmful. Much of the land that it is proposed to irrigate has been subjected to grasshopper damage in the past. There is no reason to believe that if this land is irrigated that the damage from grasshoppers will be lessened. On the other hand, with the increased production of crops per acre, the percentage of damage done to crops grown may not be materially increased, except probably to garden crops and alfalfa. At least three of our harmful species of grasshoppers will be encouraged through irrigation, namely, the differential, two-striped, and red-legged grasshopper. Proper control measures will need to be practiced at all times. Damage to crops by other insect pests can be expected. We now experience serious outbreaks of such insects from time to time in various parts of the State, and this irrigated area will not be immune to these outbreaks. Where they do occur, greater damage will likely results because of the increased crop production. Emphasis must again be placed on the practice of proper control measures. Beekeeping and honey production will be materially stimulated and increased. HOME SURROUNDINGS As one travels in this area he is greatly impressed by the lack of well-landscaped homes as compared with the eastern part of the State. The difference cannot be attributed to a different type of farm, or to a different type of agriculture, but rather to an increased difficulty in growing trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawn grass. Irrigation would make possible the beautification of the home surroundings. The protection afforded by a vigorous windbreak and abundant water would make it possible to grow many ornamental plants that would fail on the open 60479-44-50 prairie. This same protection and water would make possible a vegetable garden and home fruit planting. This would result in a greatly improved diet and home surroundings for the farm families. Besides the monetary values, the beautiful surroundings make the home a more attractive place in which to live. Children growing up under such an environment would learn to love the farm and farm life, and they would be more interested in staying on the farm. FRUIT PRODUCTION To what extent irrigation facilities would increase production of fruit in this area is problematical. With apples and other fruit trees, production is largely dependent upon the selecting of hardy varieties, planting on a favorable site, and the use of good cultural practices. There is no doubt as to the benefit an orchard planting would receive from irrigation, especially during the years of little rainfall. However, we cannot expect to compete with areas where climatic conditions are more favorable to tree fruit production, and since fruit growing is a specialized type of agriculture, requiring equipment and experience not essential to general grain and livestock production, it is likely that an orchard planting made in this area may suffer from lack of care and production will be correspondingly low. With a change in the type of agriculture, such as irrigation would likely make, tree fruit growing may develop as farmers make the adjustment from dry land to irrigation farming. With strawberries it is entirely possible, and from an economic standpoint would seem desirable, to expand production where irrigation facilities are available. Assuming a yield of 200 crates per acre, 1,000 acres would no more than supply local needs. Because of the limited supply of strawberries available at the time the crop is ripe in South Dakota, a good market with favorable prices may be expected for fruit shipped out of the State. Gross returns of from $300 to $700 per acre may be expected. Like the strawberry, raspberry production will benefit from irrigation. Since this crop will mature in South Dakota at a time when the market is well supplied, it has less commercial possibilities than does the strawberry. Since the estimated acres in 1940 were but 7 acres it is reasonable to expect the local demand will exceed production for some time. Low winter temperature, hot summer winds, and drought are largely responsible for the present small production. Where wind protection is afforded and irrigation water is available, these hazards are largely eliminated. Yields of 1,500 quarts per acre are very reasonable, with gross returns from $500 to $750 per acre. VEGETABLE PRODUCTION Vegetable production will without doubt increase tremendously where irrigation water is made available. In areas where soil conditions are favorable, commercial production may be expected to increase with market demands. conditions were comparable to these at Brookings in 1943. With prices paid for onions the last 20 years, the gross returns per acre on irrigated land would exceed the returns from nonirrigated land by $100 where such a crop is planted. Many other vegetable crops would likely give similar returns. There are many problems in connection with commercial vegetable growing. Chief among these would be marketing problems, insects and diseases, irrigation, and fertilizer problems, and others probably would develop. A grower would have to be somewhat of a specialist, and the area in which he farms would need to specialize in particular crops. POPULATION TRENDS The history of the development of Scotts Bluff County in Nebraska may be used as a measuring stick in estimating what might happen in our counties. In 1900 the county of Scotts Bluff had 2,552 residents. The reclamation project began operations in 1905. By 1910 the population increased to 8,355; by 1920 to 20,170; by 1930 to 28,644; and through the 10 years of drought, 1930 to 1940 to 33,875. From 1908 to 1940 a total of 190,000 acres were put under irrigation in that county. The present size of the farms in the proposed area to be irrigated in the basin is about 440 acres. The average size of farms under irrigation will be between There are about 1,800 farms in the area at the present 100 and 160 acres. |