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Located in a
high-desert plains region, Cassia County is in the heart of an
agricultural gold mine. There are over 500,000 acres of fully
developed irrigated and non-irrigated cropland. The semi-arid
nature of the region provides the perfect growing conditions for
many crops. An abundance of deep, fertile soil, extended growing
seasons, a virtually pest-free environment, and ample rangelands
for grazing all combine to make Cassia County one of the top
ranking regions in the State for total farm income. In 2004,
Cassia County was rated #1 in agricultural production.
Warm summer
days, cool nights, and fertile soil enriched with volcanic ash are
ideal growing conditions for the famous Idaho Russet Burbank
potato. Cassia's prime growing conditions produce over 10 million
hundredweight of potatoes annually and is the area's leading cash
crop, with nearly $42 million dollars in annual cash receipts.
Sugar beets are the second leading
cash crop. Annual production is 513,000 tons, nearly 13% of
Idaho's total sugar beet production. Cash receipts from sugar
beet marketing alone deposit nearly 23 million dollars into the
area's economy. Cassia County had contributed greatly to Idaho's
ranking as the nation's largest producer of sugar beets.
Accounting for approximately 125 percent of Idaho's number one
export, Cassia is one of the top wheat production areas in
Southern Idaho. Leading varieties grown are Stephens, a soft
white wheat and Fieldwin, a soft white spring wheat, which are
both used in cookies, cakes and pastries. Ute, a hard red winter
variety used for crackers and breads, is also a popular variety.
Malting barley,
alfalfa hay, peas, dry beans, feed corn, and livestock round out
Cassia's vast agricultural community. Diversification in crops
provides a stable economic base for the agricultural industry,
while establishing sound growing practices by growing crops on a
rotation basis to replenish vital nutrients taken from the soil.
Growing
conditions within the region are suitable for a number of
additional crops as well including, carrots, green beans, onions,
and many varieties of seeds.
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