It was a mild winter, and lately the rain has been steady in key western areas. In addition, more higher-yielding winter wheat was planted than in previous years, and as an incentive for farmers to raise production, the government increased the prices it pays for their grain. Nonetheless, Soviet authorities say they are preparing for another disappointing grain harvest. Trade officials in Moscow told a delegation from Western Europe earlier this summer that this year's estimated yield could fall roughly 10 million metric tons below last year's total of 190 million.
That figure is 60 million tons short of the...
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