California’s farm receipts will barely increase.

While the 1984 harvest is expected to reach 50.9 million tons, up 9% over 1983, gross receipts are expected to increase by less than 1% from the previous year’s $13.5 billion, with net cash income remaining near 1983’s $3.78 billion, the state Department of Food and Agriculture reported. Consumer demand for fresh produce continued to grow, raising production to a record 14.5 million tons, up 8%, while fruit and nut crops declined 8% to 10.3 million tons. Milk and butter appear likely to continue as the state’s No. 1 commodity in sales as production is expected to rise 3% (while it declines 3% nationally), with demand for low-fat milk continuing to increase as butter output declines.

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