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Article: LOWER CROP PRICES AFFECT ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES
- Article from:
- The Columbian (Vancouver, WA)
- Article date:
- September 12, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightProvided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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AP
The Columbian
09-12-1999
KENNEWICK (AP) The slump in crop prices hurting Pacific Northwest farmers is spilling over into other sectors of the economy.
Sales are down at farm implement dealerships prompting layoffs and branch closings for some and growers are becoming stingier when it comes to applying farm chemicals, industry officials say.
"We're pretty much the first on the food chain," said Kirk Smith of Smith Truck & Tractor in Pasco. "Even the better growers, rather than purchase (new), they're rebuilding."
He worries the effects will spread throughout the rural economy.
"I don't care how far down the food chain you are in this; it'll hit fertilizer sales, ...