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MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

930 E Lyndale Ave,
Heiena. Moirtaiia 59601

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1926 Farm Review Edition

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Montana State Librar

Montana State Library

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Most of the material of this bulletin was prepared from
the crop and livestock estimates made by the U. S. division of
crop and livestock estimates in cooperation with the State
department of agriculture, labor and industry of Montana.
Considerable material, however, was furnished by various
state departments from their records of inspections, ship-
ments or other records of agricultural commodities.

Dr. W. J. Butler, state veterinarian; E. A. Phillips, secre-
tary of the livestock board ; officials of the state railroad com-
mission and state board of equalization as well as officials of
the state department of agriculture have generously made
available records of their offices, pertaining to Montana's
agriculture, which have been extremely helpful in setting
forth various phases of Montana's agricultural industry.

Further acknowledgment is made of material adapted from
the splendid feature articles in the U. S. Agricultural year-
books from 1920 to 1925 inclusive, especially those articles
dealing with wheat, beef cattle, sheep, the dairy industry.
Weather and Agriculture and others which are valuable in
connecting up Montana's agricultural enterprises with those
of the nation and the world at large.

MONTANA

1 9 2 G FARM REVIEW EDITION

By

JAY G. DIAMOND, Agricultural Statistician
U. S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics

L. S. TENNEY, Chief
Co-operating with the Department of

Agriculture, Labor and Industry

Published by

DIVISION OF PUBLICITY

A. H. BOWMAN BARCLAY CRAIGHEAD

Commissioner Publicity Division

Entered as Second Class Matter May 25, 1926, at the Postoffice of Helena,
Montana, under the Act of June 6, 1900.

VOLUME 1 NUMBER 6

This Publication Is Issued and Circulated By Authority
of the State of Montana

APRIL, 1927

Published Six Times a Year

State Capitol BuiMing Corner, Sixth and Montana

HELENA, MONTANA

FOREWORD

One of the hig needs of Agriculture is that of ready access to all possible informa-
tion relating to production, market supplies and prices, and to basic information from
which trends of crop production and livestock breeding may be determined to the end
that Agriculture may constantly adjust itself to changing conditions.

Several months elapse between the time of planting crops and the time of harvest
and marketing. A year and more m^y intervene between the time of breeding a meat
animal and the time it is finished for market. Obviously if production plans and
breeding plans were made entirely on the basis of prices prevailing at the time of
planting and breeding, high prices would tend to encourage over-production and low
prices to encourage under-production, thus setting up a vicious cycle of over-production
with low prices and under-production with high prices.

It is highly important, therefore, if such vicious cycles are to be avoided, that agri-
cultural production be adjusted as closely as possible to the probable prices and market
conditions that will prevail at the time such production is ready for market.

To this end surveys of intentions to plant crops and breed livestock, estimates of
conditions and probable harvests of growing crops, carry-over stocks and supplies of
crops, estimates of annual changes in livestock numbers, size of calf crops, lamb crops,
pig crops and wool clips all contribute to a complete service of information by which
agriculture may make its own adjustments.

Such a service must include not only data for the United States but so far as possi-
ble for the foreign countries with which the American farmer is competing, because
the market on which- the prices of many of the important agricultural commodities are
determined is a world market.

The United States Bureau of Agricultural Economics with its excellent facilities
for collection and compilation of such basic information has been cooperating with the
Publicity Division of the Montana State Department of Agriculture, Labor and Indus-
try in this work in Montana since 19 SI. Through this cooperation, duplication of effort
is avoided and one official source is established from which important agricultural sta-
tistics are available.

Such statistics become the basis from which the agricultural progress of the state
may be studied. Students of agriculture and extension workers, banks, railroads, real
estate men and the press all use this basic information in their various relationships
with agriculture.

Buyers of agricultural products have long collected for themselves detailed informa-
tion on crop and livestock production to enable them to buy more advantageously. By
making similar information available to agricultural producers through the use of the
press, direct mail and radio, more equality between seller and buyer has been estab-
lished.

No claim is made by anyone connected with this service that its estimates, fore-
casts and other economic information are perfect, that is, entirely free of error. How-
ever, in cases where it is possible to check estimates against ultimate market supplies
end other consumption, the average size of such error has been found surprisingly
small, so that general conclusions drawn from such information have been relatively
sound.

In Montana approximately S,000 farmers and stockmen are reporting crop and
livestock conditions to the office of the Agricultural Statistician. Throughout the United
States more than 200,000 farmers are cooperating in this work. The Federal Crop
Reporting Service has been operating under congressional appropriation for more than
sixty years and is recognized as the most efficient organization of its kind in the world.
Prior to 1921 the Montana service was carried on by the government independent of
any state organization. At that time the Department of Agriculture, Labor and Indus-
try entered into an agreement with the U. S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics whereby
the scope of the work has been enlarged. One of the results of this cooperation has
been an annual printed review of Montana's agricultural progress.

The present publication takes the place of the fifth annual edition of the Montana
Farm Review formerly published by the State of Montana as a joint Bulletin with the
U. S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics.

JAY G. DIAMOND,

Agricultural Statistician,

U. S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics and the

State Department of Agriculture, Labor

and Industry.

GENERAL REVIEW

•'•'^TT*™^

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PICTURE of the Montana crop situation in
1926 must include an inset of east central
and southeastern Montana, where the sea-
son was almost a repetition of the disas-
trous experience of 1919, in contrast with
which the rest of the state ranged from an
average crop to yields the best m years
in central and south central Montana. For
the state as a whole, production of princi-
pal crops in 1926 exceeded that of 1925 by
about live per cent despite the drouth in
the eastern sections and the severe freeze
of September 24th and 25th which badly
damaged the corn, potato and apple crops.

THE GROWING SEASON

In general the growing season was char-
acterized by temperatures above and rain-
fall below normal, which in east central
and southeastern Montana combmed with a

very light winter reserve of soil moisture to seriously impair the early growth

of winter wheat and spring grain crops.

General rains of June 12th to 20th came in time to save the crop prospect
in central, western and to a large extent northern Montana although some per-
manent damage had already occurred on light soils in this latter area and extreme
northwestern Montana. These rains were too late to make much difference in the
situation in east central and southeastern Montana, except in the higher eleva-
tions along the Wyoming line in southeastern Montana, where drouth had been
less severe.

July and August were not unfavorable, considering the type of weather
expected at that time, but drouth areas were needing weather much more favora-
ble than average.

September witnessed a reversal of the season's trend of high temperatures
and low rainfall, being marked by excess precipitation and subnormal tempera-
tures that culminated in the freeze of September 24th and 25th and brought zero
weather to central Montana and damaging temperatures generally. For low
temperatures in September, this weather broke all state records.

THE FREEZE DAMAGE

The cold September cut short the growing season for corn which, in the
eastern third of the state, was planted later than usual due to the dry weather.
Less than a third of the crop was matured at the time of the freeze. Nearly
half of the apple crop in the important Bitter Root and Flathead sections of
western Montana was still on the trees, the unpicked portion of the crop being
nearly a complete loss. The bulk of the potato crop was still in the ground and
suffered a loss of frozen stock that is expected to reduce the state's exports of
potatoes to about half those of last year, with damage to stored potatoes showing
more badly than first supposed. Lighter damage from freeze and wet September
weather occurred in case of beans and peas and unthreshed grain crops.

AGGREGATE PRODUCTION LARGER IN 1926

From a crop production standpoint and compared with 1925 and the 1920-1924
average, the western half of the state, in 1926, has rated above both last year
and average, the northwestern quarter of the state was generally below last year

and about average, and the drouth area of east central and southeastern Montana
was below both last year and average. Crop production for the state as a whole
in 1926 exceeded that of 1925 by about 5 per cent.

LIVESTOCK SHIPMENTS SHOW BIG INCREASE

Because of increased market supplies of sheep and lambs and the large 1926
lamb crop, shipments of sheep and lambs have greatly exceeded those of any year
since the war. Short feed supplies undoubtedly contributed to marketings which
were somewhat larger than potential supplies indicated and resulted in some
reduction of inventory numbers. Approximately 1,720,000 sheep and lambs were
shipped out in 1926 compared with 967,000 head in 1925.

CATTLE SHIPMENTS

While potential market supplies of cattle in 1926 did not equal those of 1925,
which were considered the largest of any normal year actual shipments of cattle
and calves aggregated 504,000 head against 407,000 head in 1925. Drouth and
short feed supplies in eastern Montana and to some extent in other sections have
been partly responsible for the very large 1926 shipments. A large 1926 calf
crop offsets to an extent the heavy 1926 marketings and prevented a very serious
reduction in inventory numbers. 1927 marketings will probably be smaller than
1926 and contain a larger than usual percentage of young stuff.

WOOL PRODUCTION

Wool production in 1926 was 23,672,000 pounds or an increase of about thir-
teen per cent compared with 1925. An increase both in numbers shorn and the
average weight per fleece accounted for the increase. Wool prices in 1926 were
somewhat below those of 1925 and well below those of 1924.

DAIRY INDUSTRY GAINS

A further increase in the production of dairy products in the state appears
to have come about largely through increased efficiency of the "dairy herd. The
monthly survey of milk production, conducted through crop correspondents, for
the period April to November inclusive, when compared with the same period in
1925, shows a gain of 1.2 per cent in the average number of cows, milked in the
herd in 1926 and an increase of 4.6 per cent in the average production per herd,
offsetting a slight decrease in the average total number of cows in the milk herd.
Prices for dairy products in 1926 averaged slightly better than in 1925.

PRODUCTION AND PRICE CHAiNGES

Against an aggregate total production of Montana crops in 1926 that exceeded
1925 by about five per cent, farm prices by the end of the 1926 season had, in
most cases, worked to lower levels than in 1925, offsetting to some extent the
production gain. However, compared with the averages of the period 1920-1924,
both prices and production in 1926 have been mostly above these averages.

CHANGES IN NUMBERS OF FARMS

No complete data are available concerning the changes in numbers of farms
that have occurred since the federal farm census of 1925. At that time 46,904
farms were enumerated compared with 57,677 farms enumerated in 1919. During
this period the number of farms operated by owners decreased from 50,271 in 1920
to 36,379 in 1926, while the number of tenant farmers increased from 6 507 in
1920 to 10,027 in 1925. The period covered by these changes reflects the post-war
adjustments, which in Montana were made more drastic by reason of the drouth
and heavy losses of 1917, 1918 and 1919. It is generally believed that by 1925
the downward trend in numbers of farms had been checked, and that since then
the tendency has been that of an increase. Some new settlers during the past
two years have come into eastern Montana and into extreme western Montana,
but definite figures on this movement are not yet available.

TREND OF LAND VALUES

Average values of Montana farm lands in 1926 made some recovery from
the low points reached in 1925, but are still far under the averages attained
during the war period. Comparison of 1926 values with preceding years is shown
in the following table which is based on reports made each March by crop cor-
respondents in Montana.

^4_-

MARCH Ist VALUES PER ACRIE

1926 1925 1924 1920 1919 1918

$ S ' $ $ $ $

Poor Plow Lands ., 13.50 13.00 12.50 21.80 20.00 21.90

Good Plow Lands..; 29.60 27.90 30.00 50.50 45.30 48.50

All Plow Lands 22.50 18.50 21.50 36.00 33.50 36.50

All Farm Lands— Improved 27.00 23.50 25.50 42.20 40.00 43.00

Same Unimproved 19.00 15.00 19.00 35.50 32.50 33.00

In these estimates which are the annual averages of the judgment of a large
number of farmers as to values on March 1st each year, is shown the trend of
land values through the war period and the deflation period.

TREND OF TAXES

The trend of taxes per acre of farm lands and per head of livestock has also
been downward. According to a recent report of the State Equalization Board,
these averages have been as follows:

1926 1925 1924 1920 1919 1918

cents cents cents cents cents cents

Average Tax per Acre Farm Land 14.1 14.5 15.4 19.3 18.0 14.5

Average Tax per Head Cattle 53.6 44.5 45.5 87.1 94.8 104.0

Average Tax per Head Sheep 17.6 14.3 11.9 18.6 16.7 28.8

Comparison of the tax table in case of land with the preceding table on land
values as estimated by farmers themselves not only shows that taxes have come
down in relatively close proportion to the decline in values, but they continued to
decline in 1926 when land values were rated slightly higher by farmers them-
selves.

V/^LUF5 Z)0/-l/»/?5 PER F\CHB ^
TPISBS CENTS PEKPiCRB

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I920 l9X«f isIS 19X6

Comparison of taxes on livestock with yearly January 1st values as estimated
by farmers themselves is available from the following table:

AVERAGE VALUES ON JANUARY Ist IN EACH YEAR

1926 1925 1924 1920 1919 1918

Per Per Per Per Per Per

Head Head Head Head Head Head

All Cattle 32.00 30.00 31.00 53.00 59.00 53.00

All Sheep 11.40 10.40 8.70 10.40 11.80 12.60

IMPORTS OF FARM IMPLEMENTS

No complete figures are available as to the sale of farm implements,
although from records of the state railroad commission, it is possible to compare
the yearly total car shipments of all farm implements.

Year Farm Implement Shipments

(June to Dec.) Cars

1918 593

1919 671

1920 542

1924 249

1925 196

1926* 266*

*Complete only to December.

From this data, is evident a downward trend in the sales of farm implements
from the high point of 1919 to a relatively low point in 1925. Ni'neteen twenty-
six, however, records a gain over both 1925 and 1924.

On the other hand there has been a relatively large increase in certain types
of farm machinery since 1920 according to surveys of the state agricultural
college, which show substantial gains for medium size tractors, combine-harvester-
threshers and field cultivators. Horses are still cheap in Montana despite the
downward trend in breeding and numbers since 1920. Total number of tractors
in the state as reported by the Federal census dropped from 7,647 in 1920 to
6,602 in 1925.

REPORTED AVERAGE YEARLY WAGES OF FARM LABOR IN MONTANA

Wages by the Month Wages by the Day

With Without With Without

Year Board Board Board Board

1918 $59.50 $ 83.00 $3.80 $4.75

1919 62.50 89.00 4.00 4.95

1920 75.40 105.00 5.20 6.20

1924 48.70 69.10 2.51 3.60

1925 49.10 69.30 2.70 3.52

1926 50.10 70.60 2.75 3.50

TREND OF FARM LABOR WAGES

Average farm wages are reported quar-
terly by crop correspondents in Montana, in
the months of January, April, July and Oc-
tober. Comparison of the yearly averages
of these reports is made in the table above
from which is evident the downward trend in
labor costs from the high point of 1920 to
the low point of 1924. During the past two
years wages have tended to stabilize
slightly above the 1924 low point. In Oc-
tober, 1926, the average farm wage per
month, with board, in Montana was $52.50,
compared with the average of $53.61 for
eleven western states, $47.75 for nine north-
Atlantic states and $36.00 the average for
the United States.

TREND OF BANK DEPOSITS

Id7 STATE £^ZPfilVfl7T B/iNKii
OA/ DFCE/yjfiEH^I

The annual report of the state bank ex-
aminer for December 31, 1926, shows total
resources of 137 state banks and 2 private
banks of $86,292,527, compared with $68,-
770,674 for these same banks on Decem-
ber 31, 1920. Demand deposits in these
banks increased from $30,323,987 in 1920 to
$44,710,492 in 1926. Time and savings de-
posits in these banks increased from $22,-
774,488 in 1920 to $27,957,875 in 1926.

During the past three years in these
banks savings deposits alone increased from
$9,863,627 on December 31, 1924, to $12,-
590,745 on December 31 1926 and were $11,-
455,924 on December 31, 1925.

In a state like Montana where a relatively
large share of the total banking transac-
tions is contributed by agriculture, it may be
assumed that the physical condition of bank-
ing institutions will tend to reflect the finan-
cial condition of agriculture.

It must not be assumed from the comparison above that total bank resources
increased from 1920 to 1925, a period in which some of the most severe re-adjust-
ments in the state's history of agriculture were witnessed. There were 288 state
banks and 142 national banks in Montana on January 1, 1920 and the bank call
for December 1919 showed a total of $194,219,695 in deposits. Between 1920 and
June 1926, 147 state banks and 45 national banks had ceased to function.

In 1920 Montana's population per bank was 1,276 compared with 1,388, the
average of the west north central agricultural states, and 7,517 in the middle
Atlantic states. During the post-war depression period bank failures in the
various states occurred almost in an inverse proportion to the per capita popula-
tion per bank, indicating that fewer well managed banks of larger resources
would have better served the agricultural areas during this period.

It may, therefore, be assumed that with her present per capita population
per bank of 2,177 persons, Montana agriculture is now more safely served, if not
actually better served than in 1920. Referring to the comparison of the 147
state banks and 2 private banks, the significant fact is that these banks have
survived the deflation period and their history during this period, therefore is of
particular interest.

TREND OF MORTGAGE INDEBTEDNESS

The Federal census of agriculture reports the mortgage debt where given
by owners of farms in 1920 and 1925, from which may be determined the trend
of mortgage debt in this period.

FEDERAL CENSUS MORTGAGE DATA

Item— 1920 1926

Total Number Farms in State 57,677 46,904

Number Operated by Owners 50,271 26.281

Number Reporting Mortgage Debt 29,897 19,818

Per Cent of Total 64.6% 54.6%

Number Reporting Amount of Debt 21,244 11,754

Value of Land and Buildings $240,549,778 $95,174,254

Amount of Mortgage Debt 77,949,679 42,565,206

Ratio Debt to Value 32.4% 44.7%

Average Mortgage Debt Per Farm. $3,669 $3,621

A fact to consider in connection with the decrease in mortgage debt indicated

above is that many farmers escaped mortgage debt through the expedient of
turning the farms over to creditors.

There was a decrease in number of owned farms between 1920 and 1925 of
13,992 and at the same time an increase in the number of tenant farmers from

—7—

6,507 ill 1920 to 10,027 in 1925. The number of 1920 owners not accounted for in
this shift is 10,272, nearly the number of 10,773 farms, the decrease in the total
number between 1920 and 1925.

No statistics are available to show 1926 changes in amount of mortgage debt
or in relative numbers of owned and rented farms. However, with present land
values in Montana it is not likely that tenant farmers have increased in 1926 and
there is some evidence to show that tenants are beginning to buy places they
have been operating.

MONTANA AGRICULTURAL SITUATION
AT A GLANCE

CROP PRODUCTION
Shows a steady tendency to increase and diversify. Expansion of acreage
on the whole has been conservative and more efficiency in methods is discernible.

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

The cattle industry has turned the corner of the post-war depression. Debt
pressure has been greatly reduced. Credit facilities have improved. Both im-
mediate and future outlooks are favorable. The sheep industry is on a sound
financial basis and the outlook is good although more conservative than during
past three years. The hog industry has reacted from the expansion of 1924 and
1925 and apparently now is ready for some further expansion with the immediate
outlook good. The dairy industry has been growing steadily and has been fairly
profitable.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

There has been considerable liquidation of war time indebtedness. Credit
is now based on low security valuations for the whole agricultural industry and
on this basis bankers state that they are prepared to take care of all necessary
loans. Bank deposits have shoivji steady increases in past three years.

PRODUCTION COSTS
Some items of production costs have come down including farm taxes and
farm labor costs. Efficiency in production on the whole shows some tendency
to increase.

FARM IMMIGRATION
The decrease in number of operating farms between 1920 and 1925, rela-
tively low present prices of farm lands in Montana, and large reserves of unde-
veloped farm lands all point to a steady future growth in the number of Montana
farms.

WESTERN MONTANA ORCHARD

FARM INCOME 1926

■^^ DDING sales of crop and livestock items
A from 1926 production gives a total of $129,-

JTjl 856,000, which establishes a new record of

total farm income for the state. In 1925
total income was $123,732,000 and in 1924,
$124,474,000. Estimates of farm income in
Montana date back only to 1923, but from
all information available, the total income
of 1924 had not previously been exceeded.

^ The increase in total 1926 income over
the relatively high totals of the preceding
two years was brought about by unexpect-
edly high returns from livestock sources
and principally from the heavy sales of
cattle and sheep. Livestock income in
1926 was $71,490,000 or about 5.5 million
dollars larger than in 1925 and fully twen-
ty million dollars larger than in 1924. On
the other hand income from crops was only
about 0.5 million dollars larger than in
1925 and nearly sixteen million dollars
smaller than in 1924.

NATURE OF THE INCOME ESTIMATES

These estimates of income are made by the statistical division of the State
Division of Publicity. They are based on official estimates of yearly crop pro-
duction, prices paid to producers and percentages of crop production sold by
farmers, and the principal end desired is to show the relative changes in yearly
farm income. While an attempt is made each year in the light of market receipts
stockyard receipts, railroad, and other data on crop and livestock consumption,
to correct each preceding year's estimate, it is not claimed that the estimates
are exact computations of farm income. However, made on the same basis each
year, the estimates are comparable and tend to show the relative changes in
farm income irrespective of such error as exists in the actual figures them-
selves. Duplication of value in the case of crops fed to livestock and later
marketed as meat, milk, and what not, is largely eliminated by estimating the
proportion of the production that is marketed for cash.

THE ESTIMATES

Income Income Total

Year From Crop Sources From Livestock Sources Income

1923 $46,784,000 $50,872,000 $ 97,656,000

1924 74,343,000 50,131,000 124,474.000

1925(a) 57,877,000 65,855,000 123,732,000

1926(b) 58,366,000 71,490.000 129,856,000

(a) Estimates revised for 1925. (b) Preliminary estimate for 1926.

ANALYSIS OF INCX)ME SOURCES

The total income dollar for 1926 is divided into 55.0 cents from livestock
sources and 45.0 cents from crop sources. This represents a gain of 1.8 cents
for livestock sources over 1925; a gain of 15.0 cents compared with 1924 and a
gain of 2.8 cents compared with 1923.

With the development of dairying, poultry and bees, and, in the case of
cattle, a tendency toward larger total numbers compared with the old range
days, there has been an upward trend in the value of livestock items that has
enabled livestock to retain its relative importance in the face of steadily growing
income from cash grain crops and special crops.

Only in 1924, when large grain crops at relatively high prices combined
with moderate shipments of cattle and sheep, did the contribution from crop
sources exceed that from livestock. From such evidence as is available for
former years this appears to have been the only time such a shift has occurred.

In the following graph relative contributions to the farm income dollars
from crops and livestock sales are shown for the past four years.

Distributior^ o^ Moi^tana Yeifm Income DoUar

io;i3

19^1.^

19^5

19 7-6

DETAIL OF INCOME SOURCES

Wheat, the largest single income contributor in total income, is expected
to return $40,963,000 from 1926 production. In 1925 wheat income was estimated
at $39,904,000 and in 1924 at $55,879,000.

In wheat, as an index of the grain belt of Montana, we find a somewhat less
favorable situation compared with both last year and 1924. The 1925 crop was
almost ten million bushels smaller, but brought within a million dollars of the
1926 estimated income. Important wheat sections of the state are also import-
ant cattle and sheep sections, so that increased revenue from livestock sources
has in a general way operated to offset a lower income from wheat.

TABLE OF INCOME.
COUNTY TABLE OF VALUE OF CROPS AND VALUE OF LIVESTOCK

PRODUCTS SOLD.

MONTANA FARM SALES— 1925 AND 1926

FROM CROPS 1925 1926

CROPS Total Value Sales Total Value Sales

All Wheat $48,802,000 $39,904,000 $50,095,000 $40,963,000

All Hay 25,725,000 4,464,000 25.566.000 5,625,000

Oats 7,214,000 1,172,000 8,750,000 1,622,000

Barley 2,359,000 378,000 2,749,000 522,000

Rye 740,000 187.000 963,000 251,000

Flaxseed 2,416,000 2,148,000 1,486,000 1,299,000

Corn 6,255.000 625,000 3,633,000 363,000

Potatoes 6,048,000 2,419,000 3,570,000 919,000

Apples 140,000 42,000 390,000 326,000

Miscellaneous Fruits 35,000 18,000 46,000 27,000

Beans 1,411,000 1,067.000 1,148,000 868,000

Sugar Beets 2,126,000 2,100,000 2,724,000 2,510,000

Truck Crops „ 385,000 270,000 387,000 271,000

Canning Peas 984,000 984,000 822,000 822,000

Alfalfa Seed 983,000 521,000 837,000 437,000

Seed Peas 1.176,000 940,000 1,040.000 835,000

Farm Gardens and Other Crops 3,530,000 638,000 3,800,000 706.000

Total $110,329,000 $57,877,000 $108,006,000 $58,366,000

FARM LIVE STOCK Sales Sales

Cattle $27,477,000 $30,016,000

Sheep and Lambs 10,310,000 13,500,000

Wool 9,184,000 8,855,000

Milk and Dairy Products** 8.603,000 10,028.000

Hogs 5,472,000 4.075,000

Poultry 4,069,000 4,221.000

Horses 250.000 265,000

Honey and Wax 500,000 630,000

Total .\... $ 66,855,000 $ 71.490.000

COMBINED CROP AND LIVESTOCK

SALES $123,732,000 $129,856,000

••Value of Dairy Products estimated here does not include value added by manufacture after leaving
farmer's hands.

-10—

Marketing of cattle in 1926 will be more fully discussed in the livestock
section. What concerns us here in the case of income from cattle, the next
largest item of the income group, is the fact that marketings which were the
largest since the forced liquidation of 1919, have apparently included in the
eastern half of the state considerable foundation stock that will need to be re-
placed. Drouth and short feed supplies have been a large factor in marketings
from this section of the state.

VALUE OF CROPS PRODUCED IN 1925 AND 1926 AND VALUE OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
MARKETED DURING 1925 AND 1926

District and 1^25 ,.1925 1926 ,.1926

Countv ^'■^P Livestock ^^r;, Crop Livestock i^^°,

^.ounty (Produced) (Marketed) ^°*** (Produced) (Marketed) ^°**^

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead $ 2,189,750 $ 489,800 $ 2,679,550 $ 1,559,200 $ 676,500 $ 2,235,700

Lincoln 346.800 194,300 541,100 371.600 265,500 637,100

Lake 1.657,750 650.800 2,308,550 1,536,400 838,400 2,374,800

Sanders 577,200 702,700 1,279,900 590,160 1,064,600 1,654,760

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 2,556.500 2,186,500 4,743,000 2,406,000 2,107,000 4,513,000

Chouteau „. 3,256,500 1,600,000 4.856.500 4,398,000 1,690,000 6,088,000

Glacier 616,000 1.656,900 2.272,900 446,000 1.097,200 1,543,200

Hill 3,611.900 1,142,500 4.754,400 2,356,000 1,119,000 3,475,000

Liberty 967,000 349,900 1,316,900 684,000 515,200 1,199,200

Pondera 2,861,000 834,100 3,695,100 3,461,000 856.700 4,317,700

Teton 2,830,300 1,126,400 3,956,700 4,588,000 981J.00 6,569,100

Toole 886,500 792,900 1,679,400 736,000 897,200 1,633,200

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 3.431,200 1,049,500 4.480,700 4,067.000 488,900 4,566,900

Phillips 2,110,100 2,414,300 4,524,400 2,244,000 1,806,300 4,050,300

Roosevelt 3.206,490 1,641,900 4,848,300 2,991,000 1,419,300 4,410,300

Sheridan 4,091,675 1,359,200 5,450,875 5,025,120 830,800 5,855.920

Valley 4,011,700 2,456,400 6,468,100 3,840,000 2,086,100 5,926,100

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 393,875 140,350 534,225 349,740 198,000 547,740

Granite 588,775 991,800 1,580,575 547,240 850,400 1,397,640

Mineral 188,350 179,050 367,400 150,460 125,700 276,160

Missoula 1,276,000 413,700 1,689,700 1,144.900 756,100 1,901,000

Powell „.... 1,131,775 948,300 2,080,075 1,113,620 1,031,400 2,145,020

Ravalli 2,285,750 1,374,200 3,559,950 2,185,600 1,376,600 3,553,200

CENTRAL

Broadwater 1,303,950 597,800 1.901,750 1,278,300 625,400 1,903,700

Cascade 2,805,650 2,074,600 4,880,250 4,118,120 2,591,800 6,709,920

Fergus . — 5,071,575 3,099,600 8,171J.75 5,721,120 3,147,600 8,868,720

Golden Valley 978,000 588,700 1,566,700 901,000 534,600 1,435.600

Jefferson 766,050 389,600 1,155,650 978,700 453,800 1,432,500

Judith Basin 2,327,050 1,619,300 3.946,350 3,322,000 1,478,300 4,800,300

Lewis and Clark.... 1,364,100 2,069,500 3,433,600 1,349,120 1,757,900 3,107,020

Meagher 701,100 1,481,800 2.182,900 892,000 1,139,400 2,031,400

Musselshell 1,091,300 916.800 2,008,100 837,000 1,318,400 2,155,400

Petroleum 134,000 27,000 161,000 95,000 655,000 750,000

Wheatland 898,000 1,238,400 2,136,400 995,000 1,414,200 2,409.200

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson : 2,324,500 1.185,800 3,510,300 1,441,000 1,730,400 34.71,400

Garfield 1,469,000 1,172,600 2,641,600 1,043,000 1,381,800 2,424,800

McCone 1,976,700 904,800 2,881,500 945,000 1,343,400 2,288,400

Prairie 1,329.700 708,800 2,038,500 640,000 1,278,500 1,918,500

Richland 3,365,475 968,700 4,334,175 2,300,120 1,369,400 3,669,520

Wibaux 1,451,700 547,800 1,999,500 658,000 672,500 1,330,500

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 3,237,100 2,861,800 6,098,900 2,556,000 3,656,400 6,212,400

Madison 2,182,800 1,398,200 3,581,000, 1,948,400 1,338.600 3,287.000

Silver Bow 259,200 285,400 544,600 242,000 540,200 782,200

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 3,527,250 1,084,500 4,611,750 3,937,700 1,103,000 5,040,700

Gallatin 4,732,675 1,185,300 5,917,975 4,743,620 1,465,300 6,208,920

Park 2,119,950 1,712,400 3,832.350 2,117,400 1.506,100 3,623,500

Stillwater 2,737,825 1,202,500 4,020,325 2,912,300 1,396,000 4,308,300

Sweet Grass 1,524,225 1,243,600 2,767,825 1,770,200 1,692,800 3,463,000

Yellowstone 5,369,000 2,086,500 7,455,500 4,960,500 3.235,000 8,195,500

SOUTHEA STERN

Big Horn 2,338,400 1,320,600 3,659,000 2,159,000 1.543,700 3,702.700

Carter 1,154,200 1,620,700 2.774,900 964,000 1,501,700 2.465.700

Custer 1,101,675 1.552.600 2,654,275 1,021,120 1,803,700 2.824,820

Fallon 1,825,200 675,800 2,501,000 1,245,000 911,300 2,156,300

Powder River 1,211,700 1,081,700 3,293,400 1,267,000 1,405,500 2,672,500

Rosebud ...: 1,793,075 1,760,600 3,553.675 1,138,120 1,864,700 3,002,820

Tre^.\ire 784,075 415,700 1,199,775 718,120 564,600 1,282,720

STATE TOTAL $110,329,000 $65,855,000 $176,184,000 $108,006,000 $71,490,000 $179,496,000

—11—

Cattle income for 1926 may be considered as including to some extent sales
of normal inventory stock that lays the basis for smaller 1927 marketings and
income. Cattle income was $30,016,000 in 1926, $27,477,000 in 1925 and $19,215,-
000 in 1924.

Sheep income, the third largest income item, records a substantial increase
over both the preceding years. While shipments, as was the case with cattle,
were increased by reason of drouth and short feed, the basis for the large 1926

iim (H121I1 i?l II i«n I ilfl II ttfi imTmiT HAj^

CASCADE

BEAVERHEAD

GALUTIN

CHOUTEAU

VALLEY

SHERIDAN

TETON

C^R80N

JUDITH OAS/N

5AWIELS

BLAINC

ROOSEVELT

stillwater
phjll'ips
pighorkj
richlrnd

PARK
RAVALLI
HILL

SV/E ET GRASS
M4DIS0N.
OAWSOM
LEWlS^CLAie
ROSEBUD
CUSTER
POWDER R J VE
CARTER
GARFIELD
WHEATLAND
LAKE V
MCCONE.
F LATHE AD
FALLOM *
MUSSEL SHELl
POM/fLL
MEA6.HER
PRAIRIE
BROADWATER
MtSSOULA
SANDERS
rOOLE
CLACiER
OLDEN VALLE
JEFFERSOM
CRAMITE
WIBAUX
/tLUgTHFR.S

TOTAL "^aE^iP CROPS PRODUCED 8

<^3>

fc. « '•-»

—12—

marketings was already laid in large potential market supplies brought about
by the large 1926 lamb crop and the accumulation of old stuff during the re-
stocking period. While prices of both wool and lambs show a recession from
levels of 1924 and 1925, 1926 operations of sheepmen have been relatively profit-
able. S'heep and wool income for 1926 was $22,355,000 compared with $19,494,000
in 1925 and $15,501,000 in 1924.

The dairy industry continued to increase production during 1926 that met
generally with good prices. Total value of the industry to farmers in 1926 was
$10,028,000 compared with $8,603,000 in 1925 and $7,282,000 in 1924. Poultry
and bees are other livestock items have been growing steadily and have recorded
gains again in 1926 income.

Miscellaneous sources of crop income including flax, potatoes, beans, peas
for seed and canning, sugar beets, apples and alfalfa seed show mixed changes
in relative contributions to income in 1926.

1926 PRICE MOVEMENTS

One of the most important considerations of the grower of crops and the
breeder of livestock is the trend of prices for the commodities he is producing
and the relation of these prices to the prices of the things he buys.

Since the war the recession from high war prices for agricultural commodi-
ties has been greater in most cases than was the drop in prices of most non-
agricultural commodities. This explains the situation where with many farm
products selling at levels above those prevailing in 1913, the farmer and livestock
producer has been buying less for his dollar than he did with the generally lower
farm prices of 1913.

To measure this discrepancy, it is necessary to compute the percentage that
present farm prices bear to pre-war prices and the percentage present non-agri-
cultural commoditity prices bear to pre-war non-agricultural commodity prices.
Such percentages, using the pre-war prices as 100 per cent, are called index num-
bers and by dividing the index of agricultural prices by the index of non-agricul-
tural commodity prices, we obtain the purchasing power of the farmers' dollar.

A MONTANA STRAWBERRY CREW

—13—

INDEX NUMBERS OP FARM PRICES OP AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND OP WHOLE-
SALE PRICES OF NON-AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

Index numbers of farm prices (August 1909-July, 1914=100)

Relative
Jndex Purchas-
y Fruits Dairy Cotton ©f ing

^^ r«-„;„» and Meat and and Unclass- All Non- Power

and Grains

Vegreta- Animals Poultry Cotton ified Groups Agricul- ©f

^°"* bles Products Seed tural Farm

Prices* Prod-
Uctst

1919 231 189 206 182 247 162 209 199 105

1920 231 249 173 197 248 152 205 241 85

1921 112 148 108 151 101 90 116 167 69

1922 105 152 113 135 156 94 124 168 74

1923 114 136 106 147 216 109 185 171 79

1924 129 124 109 137 211 100 134 162 83

1926 156 160 ]39 143 177 92 147 165 89

November 138 194 136 162 144 95 144 166 87

December 140 194 136 163 139 92 143 165 87

1926

January 143 214 140 153 138 87 143 166 87

February 140 218 146 144 142 87 143 164 87

March 133 220 147 137 133 85 140 162 87

April 131 253 146 133 135 83 140 160 88

May 131 240 148 131 130 82 139 160 87

June 130 216 154 130 132 81 139 160 87

July 126 195 152 131 126 85" 136" 159 85

August 128 166 144 130 130 89" 133" 160 88"

September 121 136 148 139 13 4 93 134 161 83

October 123 136 148 144 94 97 130 160 81

November 121 142 142 157 88 97 130 161 80

December 120 137 140 161 81 91 127

•Computed for the Bureau of Agricultural Economics by the Bureau of Labor and Staitistics from
wholesale prices of all commodities other than those originating on United States farms. 1910-
1914=100.

tindex numbers of all groups of farm prices divided by the index numbers of wholesale prices of
non-agricultural commodities,

"Revised.

In the foregoing table it will be noted that the index representing all agri-
cultural groups continued to fall steadily from 143 per cent in January 1926 to
127 per cent in December 1926. During this period the index representing non-
agricultural commodity prices dropped only 4 points from 165 to 161 in November.

A principal cause of the decline in the farm price index was the fall in prices
for grain and cotton, the former dropping 23 points and the latter 57 points.
Fruits and vegetables of lesser importance in the total dropped 77 points, dairy
products gaining 8 points, unclassified products 4 points, while the index for
meat animals finished unchanged after scoring a material gain during the first
half of the year.

SITUATION BETTER IN MONTANA

Considering the fact that cotton and cottonseed must be eliminated in con-
sidering the purchasing power of the Montana farm dollar and that grain, meat
animals and dairy and poultry products comprise more than 80 per cent of Mon-
tana's surplus of farm products, purchasing power of the Montana farm dollar
during 1926, has not been impaired to the extent indicated for the national
average.

Computation of the purchasing power of the Montana farm dollar as of date
November 1, 1926, in terms of the national averages, but weighted according to
the importance of each group *in Montana exports in the past three years was
made as follows:

Weights — (Percentage of

Purchasing Power Montana farm income from
U. S. Average November each item)

Group 1923 1924 1925 1926 1928 1924 1925 1926

Grains 68 92 83 75 40% 53% 87% 40%

Meat Animals 61 72 82 88 84 26 87 86

Dairy and Poultry 102 94 98 97 11 9 * 11 11

Fruits and Vegetables 70 67 117 88 8 2 8 2

Cotton 288 179 87 59 0 0 0 0

Unclassified 59 66 57 60 12 10 12 11

—14—

Weighting the U. S. averages by the Montana weights gives the following
average purchasing power of all farm products for Montana as compared with
the national averages:

NOVEMBER PURCHASING POWER CENTS

1923 1924 1925

Montana 68 84 82

United States 83 S6 87

1926
81
80

In this connection it is noted that the Montana farm dollar purchasing
power has improved considerably since 1923 when low grain and livestock prices
discounted the Montana farm dollar much more than in the national average,
[mprovement in the purchasing power of these groups since 1923 is reflected in
the Montana farm dollar in 1926 whereas it is over-balanced in the national aver-
age by the big slump in purchasing power of cotton.

On the basis of national averages, therefore, Montana farm dollar purchas-
ing power, while not fully reflecting the upward swing of the national average
in 1924 and 1925, has on the other hand not shrunk during the past year to the
same extent as the national average. Montana farmers, in other words, will buy
more for their farm dollar in 1926 than will be bought by the average farm
dollar throughout the United States.

PURCHASING POWER OF 1926 INCOME

It is evident that income each year must be considered from the standpoint
of purchasing power and that changes in total numbers of dollars may be partly
offset by changes in purchasing power of these dollars. In the case of 1926
income, each dollar on the basis of November first purchasing power as com-
puted above, would have been worth three cents less in terms of things farmers
buy than the 1924 dollar and one cent less than the 1925 dollar. On this basis
1926 income would buy slightly less than the 1924 income, and not quite as much
more than the 1925 income as indicated by the total numbers of dollars.

ONION SETS GROWN FOR SEED

A new enterprise of the diversified farmer in Montana

~li—

CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS

TOTAI. TONNAGE PRODUCED IN 1926, 1925 AND 1924

LL principal crops produced in Montana in
1926 show a gross tonnage of .4,845,058
compared with 4,698,797 tons for the same
crops in 1925 and 5,396,660 tons for these
crops in 1924.

The estimates above will closely ap-
proach the total tonnage of all crops and
for comparative purposes may be so used.
In this comparison the year 1924 saw the
greatest tonnage yet produced in the
state, which would place the 1926 output
as the second largest.

More acreage, however, was used in
1926 production than in either of the pre-
ceding years, the estimates of total acre-
age, including fruit crops, being 7,115,-
000 acres in 1926, 6,797,000 acres in 1925
and 6,595,000 acres in 1924. In per acre
out-turn for all crops, 1926 production was
only slightly higher than in 1925 and mod-
erately below that of 1924.
1926 production was more spotted as between crops and between different
sections of the state than any in recent years. In general yields on small grain
crops averaged higher than in 1925, with corn yields well below those of any
recent year and hay yields slightly below last year but better than average.
Geographically the east central and southeastern sections of the state experienced
the poorest crop yields since 1921. The rest of the state ranged from average to
well above average in some sections of central and south central Montana.

The following table shows the production estimates of the past three years
expressed in tons to afford a better comparison of the total crop output of the
state

TONNAGE PRODUCED IN 1926. 1925 AND 1924

1926

1925

1924

CROP

Tonnage

Tonnage

Tonnage

Corn „

118,470

197,520

226,800

All Wheat

1,339,950

1.050,630

1.553,970

• Oats

264.160

217,792

259,600

Barley

„ 103,104

78,624

62,400

Rye

38,520

30,000

33,600

Flax

22,512

30,744

59,920

All Hay

2,484,000

2.631,000

2,708,000

Potatoes

89,250

113,400

89,760

Beans

11,480

12,936

16,800

Seed Peas

14,560

15.630

11.760

Canning: Peas

377

841

210

Alfalfa Seed

1,800

2,340

1,410

Sugar Beets

348,000

315,000

365.000

Cherries

325

260

200

Clover Seed

760

660

270

Apples

7,800

1,920

6.960

Total

4,845.058

4,698,797

5,396,660

— 1»—

ACREAGE CHANGES 1926

In the following table is shown the acreage distribution of the various crops
as estimated for 1926 and compared with revised estimates for 1925 and the census
base of 1924.

TOTAL LAND AREA 93,523,840

Land in Farms

Pasture Land

Improved Pasture Land.

Wild „.

Woodland

Other Land „ „

Total Crop Land

Total Acres in Crops

Grain Crops Total

Corn „

Wheat

Winter Wheat

Spring Wheat _ „ 2,543,000

Durimi Wheat Included Above-
Oats

Barley — .^

Rye „

Other Seed Crop Totals

Dry Edible Beans

Seed Peas _

Flaxseed

Clover Seed

* Alfalfa Seed

All Hay and Forage Acreagei

Timothy _

All Clover _

Timothy and Clover Mixed

Alfalfa Hay _ _.

Grains Cut for Hay

All Other Tame Hay

Wild Hay Cut

Vegetables —

Potatoes —

Other Vegetables

Miscellaneous Crops —

Sugar Beets

Canning Peas

Acres

Acres

Acres

1924

1925

1926

93,523,840

32.735.723

22.714,811

4,144,050

17,249,146

1.311,616

1,546,688

8,650.000

8,691,000

8,751,000

6.595,000

6,797,000

7,110.000

4,526,000

4,490,000

4,875,000

420,000

399,000

459,000

3,163,000

3,250,000

3,595,000

620.000

224.000

448,000

2.543,000

3.026.000

3,147,000

39.000

32.000

30,000

550,000

605,000

635,000

104.000

156.000

179.000

80,000

80,000

107,000

320.000

347,000

269,000

25.000

37,000

41.000

24,000

28,000

26,000

246,000

244,000

171,000

3,000

7,000

5,000

19,000

28,000

23,000

1,879,000 >

1,882,000

1,888,000

100,000

100,000

101,000

51,000

55.000

52,000

157,000

157.000

159,000

598,000

604.000

610,000

190,000

211.000

212,000

110,000

105.000

105.000

673,000

650.000

645.000

34.000

35,000

35.000

5,000

5,000

5.000

31,000

30,000

30.000

1,900

3.100

2,900

308,000

373.000

481,000

1,750,000

1,800.000

1.100,000

8,000

8.000

8.000

712,000

650.000

677.000

19.000

19.000

19.000

Crop Failure

Idle and Fallow Crop Lands

Fruit Crops Acres _.

Apple Trees Number Bearing Age

Plums -

Cherries not estimated.

From this table it is apparent that in 1926 a further expansion of acreage
devoted to grain crops was largely responsible for the increase in total cropped
acreage compared with 1925. However, some decrease in other seed crop acreage
and decrease in summer fallowed lands also help to account for the grain crop
acreage increase. Abandonment of 481,000 acres of crop land in 1926 is a con-
servative estimate, as are all estimates in this item, since to some extent acreage
not harvested is taken care of in the reported average yield per acre, especially
in the case of spring grain crops. In winter wheat where abandonment occurs
before preliminary forecasts of crop production are made, the abandonment is
estimated and deducted from the acreage reported as harvested.

AVERAGE ACRE YIELDS 1926-1925-1924
(Bushels except for Hay — in tons)

Crop —

Spring Wheat „

Winter Wheat

Oats -

1926

12.2

... 14.0

11.0

26.0

1925
10.5
14.5
16.5
22.5
21.0
12.5

4.5
108.0

1.65
.90
12.5

1924
16.2
17,1
18.0
29.5
25.0
14.0

8.7
88.0

1.71
.90
12.0

Average
1920-1924

13.8

15.1

20.1

28.1

Barley

Rye

24.0

_ 12.0

4,7

22.8

11.6

6.8

Potatoes

85,0

108.8

Tame Hay _~

Wild Hay

- „._ „._ 1.69

80

1.76
.89

Beans

10.0

12.2

—17—

Further details as to variations of yield between counties for the past two
years is shown in the table of crop acreage and production at the end of this
chapter. A general discussion of the growing season will be found in the general
review at the beginning of this bulletin.

ACRE VALUES

Acre values are the average yields per acre multiplied by the average prices
received per unit of crop production. The following table shows acre values for
1926, 1925 and 1924 compared with the average of the period 1920-1924. Lower
prices generally were the factors which have reduced acre value in 1926 compared
with the preceding two years.

ACRE VALUES

(Average Yield Per Acre Times Farm Price Per Bushel or Ton)

Average

Crop— 1926 1925 1924 1920-1924

$ $ $ $

Spring: Wheat 13.78 14.70 20.09 13.48

Winter Wheat 14.98 19.29 21.20 15.18

Corn 10.12 15.68 17.82 14.13

Oats 13.78 11.92 13.82 11.52

Barley 15.36 15.12 17.25 13.19

Rye 9.00 9.25 12.74 8.10

Flaxseed 8.69 9.90 19.22 12.16

Potatoes 86.70 172.80 76.66 81.19

Tame Hay 16.70 16.61 17.64 17.62

Wild Hay 7.60 8.10 8.10 7.60

Beans 28.00 38.13 39.60

TOTAL FARM VALUE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS

The total farm value of fourteen principal crops in 1926 was $103,773,000
compared with revised estimates of $106,379,000 for 1925 and $121,525,000 for
1924. Such valuation is based on December 1st farm prices in the years com-
pared.

The totals show a reduction compared with 1925 of 2.6 million dollars and
compared with 1924, a reduction of 17.8 million dollars. While value of 1926
farm production was slightly under that of 1925, income from all farm crops
was slightly higher than in 1925 due to the fact that in the principal cash crop,
wheat, a larger production more than offset the lower 1926 prices.

In order, and showing the 1925 comparative values in parenthesis, the lead-
ing crop and farm value in Montana in 1926 were as follows: ALL WHEAT,
$50,077,000 ($48,482,000); ALL HAY, $25,566,000 ($25,725,000); OATS,
$8,750,000 ($7,212,000); CORN, $3,633,000 ($6,255,000); POTATOES, $3,-
035,000 ($6,048,000); BARLEY, $2,749,000 ($2,160,000); SUGAR BEETS $2,724,-
000 ($2,126,000); SEED AND CANNING PEAS, $1,860,000 ($2,160,000); FLAX-
SEED, $1,286,000 ($2,416,000); BEANS, $1,148,000 ($1,411,000); RYE, $963,000
($740,000); ALFALFA SEED, $837,000 ($983,000); APPLES, $390,000 ($140,000).

— W-

PRODUCTION IMPORTANT MONTANA CROPS*

Crop

Year

Acres

Yield
Per
Acre

Produc-
tion
(Bu.)

Dec. 1
Value

Farm
Value

Acre
Value

ALL WHEAT

1926

1925
1924

3.595.000
3.250.000
3.163.000

12.4
10.8
16.4

44.665.000
35.021.000
51,799,000

$1.12
1.39
1.^4

$50,095,000
48,802,000
64,230,000

$13.92
15.02
20.33

SPRING WHEAT

1926

1925
1924

3,147.000
3.026.000
2.543,000

12.2
10.5
16.2

38,393,000
31.773,000
41,197,000

1.13
1.40
1.24

43,384,000
44.482,000
51,084,000

13.78
14.70
20.09

WINTER WHEAT

1926

1925
1924

448,000
224,000
620.000

14.0
14.5
17.1

6,272,000

3,248,000

10.602,000

1.07
1.33
1.24

6,711,000

4,320,000

13,146,000

14.98
19.29
21.20

ALL HAY

1926

1925
1924

1.884.000
1.882.000
1.879.000

1.32
1.40
1.44

2,484,000
2,631,000
2,708.000

10.29
9.78
9.78

25,566,000
25,725,000
26,474,000

13.57
13.67
14.09

OATS

.... 1926
1925
1924

635,000
605,000
550.000

26.0
22.5
29.5

16.510.000
13.612,000
16,225.000

.53
.53

.47

8,750,000
7,214,000
7,623,000

13.78
11.92
13.86

BARLEY

.... 1926
1925
1924

179.000
156.000
104.000

24.0
21.0
25.0

4,296,000
3,276,000
2,600,000

.64
.72
.69

2,749,000
2,359,000
1,794.000

15.36
15.12
14.25

RYE

1926

1925
1924

107.000
80.000
80,00C

12.0
12.5
14.0

1,284,000
1,000,000
1,120,000

.75
.74
.91

963,000

740,000

1,019,000

9.00
9.25
12.74

FLAXSEED

... 1926
1925
1924

171,000
244,000
246,000

4.7
4.5
8.7

804,000
1.098,000
2,140,000

1.85
2.20
2.21

1,486,000
2.416,000
4,729,000

8.69

9.90

19.22

CORN

.... 1926
1925
1924

359,000
399,000
420,000

11.0
16.5
18.0

3,949,000
6,584,000
7,560,000

.92
.95
.99

3,633.000
6,255,000
7,484,000

10.12
16.68
17.82

POTATOES

.... 1926
1925
1924

35.000
35,000
34,000

85

108

88

2,975,000
3,780,000
2,992,000

1.20
1.60

.87

3,570,000
6,048,000
2,603,000

86.70

172.80

76.56

APPLES

.... 1926
1925
1924

325,000

80,000

290,000

1.20
1.75
1.29

390,000
140,000
374,000

BEANS

.... 1926
1925
1924

41,000
37,000
25,000

10.0
12.5
12.0

410,000
462,000
300,000

2.80
3.05
3.30

1,148,000

1,411.000

990,000

28.00
38.13
39.60

SEED PEAS

.... 1926
1925
1924

26,000
28,000
24,000

20.0
20.0
17.5

520,000
560,000
420,000

2.00
2.10
2.25

1,040,000

1,176,000

945,000

40.00
42.00
39.38

SUGAR BEETS

.... 1926
1925
1924

30.000
30.000
31.000

11.60
10.50
10.50

348,000
315,000
326,000

7.82

6.75

10.00

2,724.000
2,126,000
3,260,000

90.71

70.88

105.00

ALFALFA SEED

. ... 1926
1925
1924

23,000
28,000
19.000

2.7
2.8
2.5

62,000
78,000
48.000

13.50
12.60
12.50

837,000
983.000
600.000

36.45
36.40
31.25

CLOVER SEED

.... 1926
1925
1924

5,000
7.000
3.000

5.0
3.1
3.0

25.000

22,000

9,000

16.00
20.45
14.00

400.000
450.000
126.000

80.00
63.40
42.00

CANNING PEAS

1926

Cases of Peas
Cases of Peas

Packed
Packed

316,000
332,400

2.60 per cs. $822,000
2.96 per cs. $984,000

1925

TOTAL VALUE SIXTEEN PRINCIPAL CROPS ABOVE:
1926 $104,173,000
1925 106,829,000
1924 122,251,000

♦Production and yield in bushels except for hay and sugar beets in tons.

—19—

TRENDS Of m)Ef\T PRODUCTION -WOKID-U.S. - mONTANft

50 o 00 o o 00 ~—— — —— — — — — •>*f>CC<<^

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c^ a* j^

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WHEAT

W

-HEAT, the most important Montana crop,
is likewise one of the most important crops
in the United States and one of the most
important crops in the wor'd agriculture.
It is important in Montana because the
bulk of the crop average of the state is
devoted to its production and more than
eighty per cent of Montana farms have
wheat acreage. It is the most important
single export product of Montana farms,
contributing in 1926, $40,963,000 or more
than thirty per cent of the total crop and
livestock income. Similar reasons make
the wheat crop important in the United
States and the world. It is the national
and inter-national bread crop.

Prices Montana farmers receive for
wheat are to a large extent based on world
market conditions, making it necessary
that Montana farmers give some consider-
ation to trends of wheat production both
in the United States and the World at
large.

WHEAT PRODUCTION TRENDS

Trends of production in the World, in the United States, and in Montana for
the past twenty-five years are shown on the opposite page. The general
trend of world production preceding the war was upward and with the elimina-
tion, of a large extent, of Russian surplus since the war, there has been a strong
increase in wheat production in Canada and the southern hemisphere, notably
Argentina. Should Russia return to 'pre;- war production, and there is a trend in
this direction, world production may be expected to continue an upward trend.
Production in the United States has had a slightly downward trend since the war,
due to adjustments made by wheat growers to the drop in wheat prices that imme-
diately followed the war. In Montana the trend of production of wheat has been
strongly upward since 1919.

Compared with the older wheat growing areas of the nation, Montana has
had some advantage in lower priced wheat lands and premiums on the milling
quality of her spring wheat which represents the bulk of Montana wheat produc-
tion. These advantages have apparently enabled Montana farmers to continue
expansion during the post-war period.

To what extent Montana will be able to continue expansion of wheat acreage
will depend upon the extent to which wheat will continue the first choice over
alternative crops, with wheat marketing conditions outside Montana tending to
become more influential factors as production increases.

WHEAT IN MONTANA

Montana's geographical position places her at some disadvantage with the
wheat areas further east in the matter of freight haul to milling centers and
deficit producing states. To a large extent the high milling quality of Montana
wheat offsets this disadvantage. Of the 71 per cent of Montana's wheat produc-
tion exported from the 1923 and 1924 production, 62 per cent went east and 9 per
cent west. Comparative data for earlier years is not available, but it is apparent
that there has been some increase in west bound wheat in recent years and with
the development of the west coast population, Montana will find a closer market
that will gradually increase its consumptive demand for Montana wheat.

There has also been a steady increase in the amount of wheat milled in the
state of Montana during the past twenty years, until in 1924 nearly 20 per cent
of the state production was ground within the state. In 1925 about 22 per cent
was ground.

—21—

* H^nf Sffyin^ Whf^t" Sfafe A '^T^fes

} r y '?*

BrtSEDon/ 3-yr RyBRfice /92y-ar-ac

MONTANA SPRING WHEAT QUALITY

Montana also leads the spring wheat belt
in average protein content of hard spring
wheat, as determined from comparative
data available for the past three years.
Protein is becoming more important each
year as a basis of selling wheat and by rea-
son of a higher average protein, Montana
farmers are commanding a premium over
growers in the eastern part of the spring
wheat belt that is tending to offest the
higher freights to outside eastern markets
from Montana. The accompanying graph
shows comparative protein content of hard

spring wheat in Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota.

WINTEI

R WHEAT BY

COUNTIES FOR 1925

AND 1926

1925 REVISED

1926

(DEC. EST.)

District and
County

Acre

Produc-

Acre

Produc-

Acreage

Yield

tion

Acreage

Yield

tion

(Bu.)

(Bu.)

(Bu.)

(Bu.)

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead

4.000

22

88.000

8.000

14

112.000

Lake

11.000

20

220.000

19.000

17

323.000

Sanders

1.000

21

21.000

1.000

20

20.000

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine

1,000

8

8.000

1.000

15

15,000

Chouteau

19.000

13

247,000

49.000

14

686,000

Hill

2.000

20

40,000

3.000

14

42.000

Pondera

1.000

16

16.000

Teton

3 000

16

48,000

3 000

20

60,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels

2.000

10

20,000

3.000

14

42.000

Phillips

1,000

13

13,000

Roosevelt

1.000

15

15.000

4,000 .

10

40,000

Sheridan

1.000

8

8.000

1.000

12

12,000

Valley „

1.000

15

15.000

2.000

13

26,000

WEST CENTRAL

Granite

1,000

20

20.000

Missoula

3,000

20 .

60.000

3.000

17

51,000

Powell -

3,000

10

30.000

2,000

19

38,000

Ravalli

1.000

24

24.000

1,000

28

28,000

CENTRAL

Broadwater

6.000

21

126.000

8,000

19

162,000

Cascade

12.000

11

132.000

37,000

24

888,000

Fergus

24,000

14

336,000

46.000

14

644,000

Golden Valley

7,000

10

70.000

14.000

9

126,000

Jefferson

4.000

10

40,000

4,000

20

80,000

Judith Basin

15.000

10

150.000

29,000

12

348,000

Lewis and Clark

1,000

20

20.000

4.000

17

68,000

Meagher

Musselshell

1.000

20

20,000

7,000

10

70,000

13.000

7

91,000

Wheatland

2,000

16

30.000

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson

1,000

11

11,000

3,000

7

21.000

Garfield

2.000

4

8,000

McCone

2.000

8

16.000

5.000

5

25.000

Prairie

4.000

5

20.000

Richland

7,000

11

77,000

8,000

6

48,000

Wibaux

1.000

8

8.000

5.000

6

30,000

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead

1.000

20

20,000

1,000

15

15,000

Madison

2.000

30

60.000

4.000

19

76,000

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon

5.000

16

75.000

7.000

24

168,000

Gallatin „..

16.000

21

336.000

28.000

23

616.000

Park

2.000

20

40.000

2.000

15

30,000

Stillwater

12,000

15

180.000

26.000

14

364,000

Sweet Grass

4,000

17

68.000

4.000

15.2

61,000

Yellowstone

16.000

12

192.000

33.000

9

297,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Bigr Horn

13,000

17

221,000

21,000

12

252,000

Garter

1.000

10

10,000

Custer .*

,

3,000

6

18,000

Fallon „

^ 6,000

10

50,000

13.000

5

65.000

1.000

13

13,000

Rosebud „

6,000

14

70.000

10.000

9

90,000

Treasure ,..

8,000

12

36,000

6.000

9

54,000

STATE TOTALS

224,000

14.6

— at—

3.248.000

448.000

14.0

6.272,000

MONTANA FARMERS ADOPTING PROTEIN BASIS

PrcteiT)

Tesn fildde 8y StdTe Ubtrt
For ^cy,hj-h^ faymers
Tuty tc Oct. 6t.th Vears

tory

1

»926

3ii1

19 ZS-

/V2*|

The extent to which Montana farmers are
adopting: the protein basis of marketing is
illustrated by the accompanying graph
showing tests made by the State Grain
Laboratory at Great Falls during the past
two seasons.

SPRING WHEAT BY COUNTIES FOR 1925 AND 1926

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 24,000

Lincoln 2.000

Lake 16,000

Sanders 2.000

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 63,000

Chouteau 158,000

Glacier 19,000

Hill 187,000

Liberty 50,000

Pondera 116,000

Teton 129,000

Toole 48,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 159,000

Phillips 67,000

Roosevelt 138,000

Sheridan 222,000

Valley 152,000

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 1,000

Granite 1.000

Mineral 1,000

Missoula 9,000

Powell 3,000

Ravalli 9,000

CENTRAL

Broadwater 11,000

Cascade 80,000

F'ergus 201,000

Golden Valley 33,000

Jefferson 9,000

Judith Basin 103,000

Lewis and Clark 13,000

Meagher 6.000

Musselshell 41,000

Petroleum 10,000

Wheatland 36,000

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 90,000

Garfield 29,000

McCone 66,000

Prairie 53.000

- Richland 108,000

Wibaux 52,000

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 2,000

Madison 8,000

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 57.000

Gallatin 55,000

Park 20,000

Stillwater 74,000

Sweet Grass 30,000

Yellowstone 70,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 32,000

Carter 17.000

Custer 17.000

Fallon 70,000

Powder River 7,000

Rosebud 38,000

Treasure 10,000

STATE TOTALS 3,026,000

1925 REVISED

Acre Produc-

Yield tion

(Bu.) (Bu.)

1926 (DEC. EST.)

Acre Produc-

Acreage Yield tion

(Bu.) (Bu.)

18

432.000

25,000

12

300.000

15

30.000

3,000

13

39.000

20

320.000

18,000

14

252,000

14

28,000

3,000

17

51,000

10

630,000

66,000

12

792.000

8

1,264,000

152,000

15

2,280,000

10

190,000

21,000

8

168,000

10

1.870.000

192.000

7

1.344,000

10

500,000

56.000

7

392,000

12

1,392,000

121,000

19

2,299,000

11

1,419,000

136,000

22

2,992,000

8

384,000

56,000

7

392,000

11

1,749,000

174.000

15

2,610,000

10

670,000

77,000

12

924,000

10

1,380,000

152,000

10

1,520,000

9

1,998,000

233,000

13

3,029,000

11

1,672,000

150.000

13

1,950,000

16

16,000

1,000

14

14,000

15

15,000

1,000

15

15.000

24

24.000

1,000

14

14,000

18

162,000

11,000

15

165.000

14

42.000

3,000

15

45.000

20

180,000

10,000

17

170.000

15

165,000

12,000

24

288,000

10

800,000

68,000

18

1.224,000

10

2,010,000

180,000

15

2,700,000

8

280,000

3S.000

6

228.000

9

81,000

9,000

23

207.000

9

927,000

100,000

17

1,700,000

(

91,000

12,000

21

252,000

8

48,000

6,000

17

102,000

8

328,000

44,000

5

220,000

9

90,000

9,000

5

45,000

9

324,000

38.000

11

418,000

8

720,000

106,000

5

530,000

10

290.000

30,000

5.5

214.000

8

528.000

76,000

3.5

266,000

9

477.000

62,000

3

186,000

10

1,080,000

121,000

6

726,000

11

572,000

60,000

3.5

210,000

16

32,000

3,000

19

57,000

20

160,000

9.000

22

198,000

16

912,000

41,000

27

1,107,000

15

825.000

48,000

23

1,104,000

16

320,000

20,000

25

500,000

14

1,036,000

79,000

15

1,185,000

12

360,000

28,000

17

476.000

15

1,050,000

65,000

12

780.000

10

320.000

32,000

16

512.000

9

153,000

17,000

8

136.000

10

170.000

23.000

5

161.000

10

700,000

75.000

7

526.000

11

77.000

9,000

10

90.000

10

380,000

43.000

4

172.000

10

100.000

13.000

9
12.2

117,000

10.5

31,773,000

3.147.000

38.393.000

—28—

MONTANA WHEAT GRADES HIGH.

In quality Montana leads all of the important wheat producing states of the
nation. In the following table is shown the comparison for the three leading
states of the percentage of the wheat crop grading U. S. Number 1 as determined
by the Crop Estimate Division of the U. S. Department of Agriculture from
yearly surveys.

PERCENTAGE OF SPRING WHEAT IN THE SEVERAL GRADES

State Years No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4

Montana 1926 68.0 19.0 9.0 2.0

1924 84.0 10.0 5.0 1.0

Wyoming 1925 20.0 47.0 24.0 3.0

1924 84.0 10.0 5.0 1.0

North Dakota 1925 49.0 20.0 17.0 9.0

1924 65.0 19.0 10.0 4.0

South Dakota 1925 20.0 24.0 23.0 15.0

1924 67.0 22.0 8.0 2.0

Minnesota 1925 18.0 20.0 31.0 18.0

1924 61.0 22.0 11.0 4.0

U. S. Average 1925 S7.5 28.0 18.8 9.2

1924 62.9 21.5 10.1 3.7

Below

No. 5

No. 5

1.0

1.0

.0

.0

6.0

.0

.0

.0

4.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

12.0

6.0

1.0

.0

10.0

3.0

1.0

1.0

4.8

1.7

1.0

0.8

PROTEIN CONTENT

The average protein content in the various counties of Montana as deteriiiined
by the State Agricultural College during the period 1923-1925, is shown in the
following map. In this connection it will be noted most of the counties falling
below thirteen per cent are unimportant producers of spring wheat. (See spring
wheat acreage density map, page 27.)

AV£mQ[ pwrm covif/jr mrd red 5PRinc iweat j9F5 nps

MONTANA

X A^O DATA

—24—

YIELDS PER ACRE MONTANA WHEAT

With the rapid growth of wheat acreage in Montana during the past twenty
years, and the growing proportion of the acreage that is non-irrigated, the
yearly averages of wheat yields per acre show a downward trend. This trend
is further emphasized by the period of abnormally low yields between 1917 and
1920.

Graph on page 20 shows the yearly average yields per acre of spring wheat
in Montana and the ten year average each successive year. The downward trend
of the ten year average will in all probability be reserved as soon as the effect
of the 1917-1920 period is left behind.

RAILROAD SHIPMENTS OF WHEAT IN BUSHELS FOR EACH COUNTY

(Year beRinning Ju'y 1st and ending June 30th)

COUNTY AND 1925-'26 1924-'25 1923-'24 1922-'23 1921-'22

DISTRICT July 1 to July 1 to July 1 to July 1 to July 1 to

June 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June 30
NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 247,417 392,751 378,045 391,282 451,260

Lincoln 44,714 12,195 1.308

Lake 409,879 308,493 579,940 366,121 474,804

Sanders 76,014 43.488 115,175 55,391 40,548

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 567,868 780,066 799,450 575,526 417,252

Chouteau 1,198,335 2,148,579 1,654,455 1,718,472 1,756,644

Glacier 116,256 164,439 211,380 172,928 78,480

Hill 1,421,906 1.933,857 686,985 1,833,307 643,536

Liberty 335,355 502,830 223,575 464,744 100,716

Pondera 1,603,742 1,239,408 1,875,320 1,691,452 609,528

Teton 1,420,416 1,061,379 2,004,045 1,361,808 548,052

Toole 360,693 392,751 581,295 495,817 151,728

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 1.891,403 3,004,749 2,594,825 2,776,305 1,934,532

Phillips 639.410 834,426 937,660 875,457 688,008

Roosevelt 1,415,943 2,943.594 1,424,105 2,695.245 1,908,372

Sheridan 2,237,191 3,879,945 2,803,495 3.673.369 2.602,920

Valley 1,205,788 1,876,779 1.512.180 1,879,241 1,773,648

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 8,943 1,359 2,702 6,540

Granite 65,581 24,462 56,910 83,762 119.028

Mineral 1.490 6.795 21.680 22,967 18,312

Missoula 190,780 74,745 207,315 180,577 200,124

Powell 37,262 4,077 12,195 27,020 48.396

Ravalli 186,808 51,642 127,370 131,047 197,508

CENTRAL

Broadwater 217,608 131,823 222,220 282,359 163,500

Cascade 722,876 1.142.919 1.470.175 1,328,933 1,090,872

Fergus 2,307,243 4,628,754 4,169,335 3,981,397 3,497,592

Golden Valley 116,256 281,313 386,175 445,313 223,668

Jefferson 76.014 31,257 69,105 137,802 65,400

Judith Basin 1,082,079 1,588,671 1,905,130 1,363,159 1,198,128

Lewis and Clark 78,995 122,310 228,995 260.743 167,424

Meagher 50,676 43,488 113,820 82,411 54,936

Musselshell 271,265 457,983 395,660 566,069 215,820

Petroleum 140,104

Wheatland 228,042 247,338 555,550 399,896 319,152

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 1,125,303 1.465,002 991,860 1.561.756 1.105,260

Prairie 460.554 687,65 4 524,385 737,646 375,396

Richland 842,114 1,706,904 685,630 1.334.788 514.044

Wibaux 432.235 517,779 304.875 498,519 300.684

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 35,771 13,590 59,620 113,484 141,264

Madison 242,946 129,105 199,185 378,280 256.368

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 754,176 804,528 744,855 847,077 779 568

Gallatin 2,034,488 1,3,59,000 1,906,485 1,919,771 1,514,664

Park 506,759 263,646 658,530 516,082 474 804

Stillwater 830.190 1,098,072 1.231,695 1,091,608 1,068,636

Sweet Grass 93.899 145.413 211.380 231.021 200.868

Yellowstone 876,395 1,456,848 1.112,455 1,288,854 970,536

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 514,211 640,089 471,540 899,766 350.544

Custer 381,560 441,675 349,590 557.512 231.516

Fallon 640,900 955,377 592,135 1.113,224 408.096

Rosebud 387,522 570,780 323,845 572,824 224 976

Treasure 80.485 169,875 60.975 187.087 79',788

TOTAL 31,213.360 42.771,807 38,764,800 44,171,921 30,764,784

--2&—

1920-'21
July 1 to
June 30

131,784

5,168

612,408

114,988

434,112

1,426,368

105,944

715,768

219.640

1,624,044

1,109,828

444,448

493,544
487,084
745,484
762,280
304,912

9,044
55,556
11,628

217,056
25,840

160,208

196,384
1,050,396
3,732.580

795,872

109,820
1,474.172

210.596
80.104

571,064

580408

646,000
403,104
705,432
174.420

86,564
328,168

819,128
2,014,228

426,360
1,320,424

229,976
1,727,404

813,960
184.756
529,720
293,284
121.448

29.842.616

MONTANA SPRING WHEAT YIELDS COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE
OTHER SPRING WHEAT STATES

COt^FOROrtVB VIE LOS

SP«|N6 WHBfVT

Bu/^rActe ^ ,, a ,o ix it it

' — \ ' ' ' ' ' M

'5r

Montana now ranks next to Minnesota
in average yields per acre of spring wheat,
being well ahead of North Dakota, the prin-
cipal spring wheat growing state. Montana's
ten year average yield, unless there is fur-
ther improvement in the average of Min-
nesota, promises ultimately to exceed Min-
nesota's when the effect of the 1917-1920
period of low yields has been passed. In the
accompanying graph is shown both the 1926
average yield per acre in the important
spring wheat states and the ten year aver-
ages as computed in October, 1926, from
preliminary estimates of yields in all of the
states.

SUITABILITY OF MONTANA CLIMATE FOR WHEAT

A variety of climatic conditions and soils characterizes the distribution of
wheat production throughout the world. The general requirements of wheat call
for a growing season of at least ninety days in length and moderate rainfall.
Wheat is most extensively produced, however, in areas where the average annual
rainfall is less than thirty inches. The bulk of Australia's production is grown
with less than twenty-five inches. In the United States a large part of the pro-
duction receives from twenty-five inches down to less than fifteen inches, with

EVOLUTJON OFVJHEAT
Bed"n5, peas etc

t

-26-

some localities where the normal average is only about ten inches. Similarly low
annual rainfall characterizes a large part of the Canadian acreage and the south-
ern areas of the Argentine and parts of Russia.

Where annual rainfall is low, the seasonal distribution through the wheat
growing season is often a factor, as in the plains region of the United States.

A somewhat dry climate is favorable for hard, dark wheats, the wheats of
the more humid areas having a tendency to soft and starchy composition. The
ideal climate for wheat is one characterized by a wet winter, a cool and rather
juoist spring with a warm summer becoming drier as it becomes warmer. Wheat
requires only light rains after blossoming time and rather dry air toward har-
vest, but without hot, scorching winds.

Montana's grain belt lies largely within the range of ten to twenty inches of
annual rainfall, with such important producing areas as the Judith Basin and
Gallatin, as well as other mountain valleys, ranging well above this average.
Very small and scattered areas of the state fall below ten inches. A character-
istic of Montana annual precipitation east of the Continental Divide is that sixty
to seventy per cent falls between April 1st and September 30th, with the seventy
per cent including most of the eastern half of the state. (See map on following
page).

Montana's winter wheat acreage is densest in central and south central Mon-
tana and tends to coincide with the areas of largest annual rainfall. In a general
way the higher annual precipitation records mean more fall moisture and a
heavier winter snowfall, both of which conditions are necessary for fall growth
and winter protection of winter wheat. Moreover the westward location of winter
wheat toward the mountains brings the crop within a more equable zone of winter
temperature.

Spring wheat, however, is the large bulk of Montana's wheat production.
The heavy producing area lies generally east of the main winter wheat acreage
and largely in the eastern half of the state, where the annual rainfall ranges
between ten and twenty inches and an average of sixty to seventy per cent of this
amount comes within the growing season of the year.

DISTRIBUTION OF MONTANA SPRING WHEAT ACREAGE

-27—

—28—

The precipitation in May and June and the temperature in June are important
factors in spring wheat yields in the spring- wheat region generally, although
in Montana the critical period for temperature extends into July and, in the case
of late grain, hot wind damage is a factor at even later dates.

In North Dakota during a period of twenty-six years when May and June
rainfall was below normal twelve times and above normal thirteen times, the acre
yield of spring wheat during the thirteen years with rainfall above normal was
nine times above average and four times below. During these same years in South
Dakota, yields of spring wheat were ten times above average and three times
below.

A combination of May and June rainfall above normal and June temperature
below normal occurred during this same period eleven times in North Dakota and
nine times in South Dakota and of these years seventy-three per cent in North
Dakota and ninety per cent in South Dakota had yields of spring wheat above
average.

WEATHER AND YIELD RELATIONSHIPS IN MONTANA

In Montana during the past twenty years, the yield of spring wheat shows a
closer relationship with combined May and June rainfall than with any other
single factor. In this data where combined May and June rainfall has been eight
times above and twelve times below normal, spring wheat yields have been nine
times above and eleven times below the adjusted average yield of spring wheat.
May rainfall alone was five times above normal and fifteen times below. June
rainfall alone was eleven times above normal and nine times below and July rain-
fall ten times above and ten times below normal. May, June and July rainfall
combined was eight times above normal and twelve times below, or the same as
for May and June rainfall combined.

The combination of May and June rainfall above normal with June tempera-
ture below normal occurred six times in this period and of these years sixty-seven
per cent had yields above average. For June temperature alone nine years were
below normal in this period and of these years fifty-six per cent had yields above
average. For July temperature alone eight years were below normal and of these
years eighty-seven percent had yields above average. July temperatures above
normal occurred twelve times in this period and of these years seventy-five per
cent had yields below average.

From this data it is apparent that combined May and June rainfall together
with July temperatures are important factors in determining yields of spring
wheat in Montana. A summary of these factors is shown in the following table
as plus and minus departures from the monthly normals and averages.

PRECIPITATION

TEMPERATURE

May
Rain-
Year fall

1926 —

1925 -

1924 _

1923 —

1922 4-

1921 -

1920 —

1919 —

1918 —

1917 —

1916 —

1915 +

1914 -

1913 —

1912 4-

1911 -f

1910 —

1909 -

1908 -f

1907 —

Sums : 5 +

15-
*No departure from normal.

June
Rain-
fall

July
Rain-
fall

May
plus
June

May
June
July

June
Mean

July
Mean

Avcragre
Spring
Wheat
Yield

11 +
9—

+
+

10 +
10^

8 +
12-

12-

12+

9 +
11-

(See Graphs on following page.)
—29—

INFLUENCE OF MAY- JUNE RAIN FALL
AND JUNE & JULY TEMPERATURES
ON YIELD OF SPRING WHEAT
MONTANA - 1907- 1926

MAY PLUS JUNE RAIN FALL

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State Publicity >

/

COST OF PRODUCING WHEAT

Montana wheat growers are producing wheat at about the same cost per
bushel as are wheat growers in North Dakota and Kansas, the two largest
wheat producing states. Present indications point to some further lowering of
preparation and planting costs, and harvesting and threshing costs in Montana
by a more efficient use of labor and machinery. In these two items Montana has
probably been higher than North Dakota and Kansas in past years. Marketing
expense is another item in which Montana by reason of her geographical position
has exceeded the other two states.

Comparative statistics as to relative average costs of producing crops are
still too limited to permit definite conclusions as to detailed production costs.
However, annual surveys on production costs made by the U. S. Division of Crop
Estimates have provided a basis from which comparisons may be made more
closely as the records increase. A summary of the results of the 1923 and 1924
surveys for Montana, North Dakota and Kansas is presented herewith as throw-
ing some light on respective costs. These data show that 283 farms in Montana
in 1923 averaged a lower production cost per bushel of wheat than did 411 farms
in North Dakota and 545 farms in Kansas. In 1924 the average of 147 Montana
farms was slightly higher than that of 350 Kansas farms and well above the
average of 269 North Dakota farms.

It is probable that if a larger number of farms had been secured in Montana
in 1924 that a cost per acre more comparable with those of North Dakota and
Kansas would have been shown. In any case the sample is more representative
for the two latter states compared with Montana. One difficulty of all such
sample data is that of securing a large number of identical farms each year.
This difficulty will be largely overcome when farmers have a better understanding
of the purposes and benefits of this type of data. There has already been some
improvement along this line during the few years in which the surveys have
been made.

Variations in yield per acre from year to year naturally greatly affect the
cost per bushel. The yield also influences to some extent the cost per acre as when
a heavy yield increases the e'xpense of harvesting the crop.

AVERAGE COSTS OF PRODUCING WHEAT

1923

1924

Mont.

N. Dak.

Kansas

Mont-

N. Dak.

Kansas

Number Farms

283

411

545

147

269

350

Average Acreage in Wheat-

135

147

124

140

147

128

Average Yield Per Acre

16

9

13

16

15

17

GROSS COST Per Acre:

Prepare and Plant

. $ 4.71

$ 3.25

$ 3.24

$ 4.43

$ 3.35

$ 3.23

Harvest and Thresh

4.03

3.11

4.17

3.92

3.81

^.81

Market

1.84

.68

.84

1.68

1.06

.91

Miscellaneous Labor

.57

.16

.15

.50

.13

.08

Commercial Fertilizer

.02

01

.07

Manure

.32

.25

.59

.31

.20

.88

Seed

1.10

1.34

1.22

1.11

1.49

1.35

Land Rent

3,33

2.49

4.10

3.62

2.62

4.39

Miscellaneous

2.40

1.69

1.80

1.77

1.99

1.89

TOTAL COST Per Acre

17.48
1.09

12.66
1.41

15.69
1.21

16.73
1.05

14.37
.90

16 79

Cost Per Bushel

.99

United States Average:

Per Acre

21.02

21.88

Per Bushel ,

1.24

1.22

MONTANA SPRING WHEAT FIELD
—11—

CORN

ORN acreage in Montana has been declin-
ing from the high point reached in 1924
when 420,000 acres were harvested and to-
tal production including the equivalent of
forage was 7,560,000 bushels. In 1925, 299-
000 acres produced 6,584,000 bushels and
in 1926, 359,000 acres produced 3,949.000
bushels. In 1926 less than a third of the
crop matured ahead of frost. The bulk of
the crop acreage is located in the eastern
third of the state where both the 1926 and

1925 seasons were unfavorable with the

1926 season being unfavorable at planting
time and an additional factor in this year's
decreased acreage.

(See table pages 17 and 19 for corn
acreage and production during the past
three years.)

1925

District and Acreage
County

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 1,000

Lake 1.000

Sanders 1.000

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 6.000

Chouteau 13.000

Hill 9.000

Liberty 1.000

Pondera 2,000

Teton 3,000

Toole 2,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 5,000

Phillips 25,000

Roosevelt 20,000

Sheridan 13,000

Valley 17,000

WEST CENTRAL

Ravalli 1,000

CENTRAL

Cascade 7,000

Fergus 14,000

Golden Valley 10,000

Judith Basin 3,000

Lewis and Clark 1,000

Musselshell 13,000

Wheatland 2,000

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 21,000

Garfield . . ., 18,000

McCone 19,000

Prairie 15,000

Richland 28,000 .

Wibaux 7,000

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 1.000

Madison 1.000

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 7,000

Gallatin 1,000

Stillwater 7.000

Sweet Grass 1,000

Yellowstone 22,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 9,000

Carter 14,000

Custer 15.000

Fallon 13.000

Powder River 10,000

Rosebud „ 14,000

Treasure 6,000

STATE TOTALS 399,000

CORN BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND 1925
REVISED 1926 (DEC. EST.)

Acre Produc- Acre Produc-

Yield tion Acreage Yield tion

(Bu.) (Bu.) (Bu.) (Bu.)

30

30,000

1,000

11

11,000

34

34,000

1,000

15

15,000

34

34.000

1,000

10

10,000

17

102.000

7,000

11

77.000

18

234,000

14.000

15

210,000

29

261,000

10,000

9

90,000

18

18,000

1,000

10

10,000

18

36,000

3,000

11

33.000

15

. 45,000

2,000

13

26.000

20

40,000

2,000

9

18.000

15

75,000

5.000

12

60,000

14

350,000

23,000

12

276,000

15

300,000

19,000

12

228,000

10

130,000

14,000

11

154,000

19

325,000

16.000

9

144,000

25

25.000

1.000

14

14,000

25

175.000

6,000

16

96,000

20

280,000

12,000

16

192,000

14

140.000

10,000

12

120,000

14

42,000

1,000

10

10.000

25

25,000

1,000

9

9,000

11

143,000

12,000

9

108.000

12

24,000

2,000

10

20.000

18

378,000

17,000

0

153.000

12

216.000

16,000

6

. 96.000

18

342.000

15,000

(

105,000

14

210.000

13,000

10

130.000

15

420.000

23,000

11

253.000

15

105,000

6,000

10

60,000

12

12,000
15.000

i2'

15

1.000

12,000

30

210.000

6.000

17

102,000

16

16.000

1.000

17

17.000

18

126,000

6,000

15

90.000

16

15.000

1.000

15

15,000

19

418.000

24.000

11

264.000

29

261.000

8.000

12

96.000

17

238.000

12,000

11

131,000

14

210.000

13,000

12

156,000

10

130,000

10.000

10

100,000

15

150,000

8.000

11

88,000

11

154,000

11,000

10

110,000

15

90.000

4.000

10
11.

40,000

16.5

6.584.000

359,000

8.949,000

BARLEY

Barley acreage was again increased in Montana in 1926 and Jlith a better
yield per acre, production gained substantially over 1925. The increase in barley
acreage in eastern Montana apparently was intended to take the place of com
acreage which, as a result of frost and drouth damage of the preceding two years,
was evidently curtailed when dry weather developed in 1926. Barley in Montana
is largely utilized on the farm as feed, although some of the older barley sectons,
including the Gallatin valley, ship varying quantities according to market condi-
tions that make shipments profitable. Production in 1926 was 4,296,000 bushels
compared with 3,276,000 in 1925 and 2,600,000 in 1924.

BARLEY BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND
1925 REVISED

^°^"*y (Bu.) tion
NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 5,000 26 130,000

Lincoln ....

Lake 4,000 26 104,000

Sanders 1,000 29 29,000

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 2,000 10 20,000

Chouteau 2,000 12 24,000

Glacier 1,000 20 20,000

Hill 7,000 14 98,000

Liberty 1,000 20 20,000

Pondera 7,000 26 182,000

Teton 4,000 22 88,000

Toole 2,000 10 20,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 3,000 19 57,000

Phillips 2,000 15 30,000

Roosevelt 2,000 12 24,000

Sheridan 4,000 10 40,000

Valley 5,000 15 75,000

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge ....

Granite 1,000 30 30,000

Mineral ....

Missoula 2,000 34 68,000

Powell 2,000 19 38,000

Ravalli 4,000 28 112,000

CENTRAL

Broadwater 2,000 33 66,000

Cascade 3,000 15 45,000

Fergus 5,000 17 85,000

Golden Valley 1,000 9 9,000

Jefferson 1,000 30 30,000

Judith Basin 4,000 19 76,000

Lewis and Clark 1,000 30 30,000

Meagher 2,000 17 34,000

Musselshell 1,000 35 35,000

Wheatland 1,000 20 20,000

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 4,000 10 40,000

Garfield 1,000 19 19,000

McCone 3,000 10 30,000

Prairie 1,000 14 14,000

Richland 6,000 18 108,000

Wibaux 5.000 16 80,000

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 2,000 48 96,000

Madison 1,000 32 32,000

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 3,000 33 99,000

Gallatin 9,000 34 306,000

Park 5,000 33 165,000

Stillwater 5,000 18 90,000

Sweet Grass 1,000 23 23,000

Yellowstone 5,000 27 135,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 5,000 20 100.000

Carter 3,000 16 48,000

Custer 3,000 10 30,000

Fallon 7,000 19 133,000

Powder River 2,000 16 32,000

Rosebud 2,000 16 32,000

Treasure 1,000 25 25,000

STATE TOTALS 156,000 21.0 3,276,000

— 33-»

1925

1926

(DEC.

EST.)

Acre

Produc-

Acreage

Yield

tion

(Bu.)

(Bu.)

5,000

25

125,000

1,000

30

30,000

3,000

28

84,000

2,000

29

58,000

2,000

18

36,000

2,000

22

44,000

1,000

25

25,000

6,000

19

114,000

1,000

22

22,000

7,000

30

210,000

4,000

32

128,000

2,000

15

30.000

4,000

25

100,000

3,000

20

60,000

3,000

19

57,000

5,000

25

125,000

6,000

23

138.000

1,000

31

31,000

2,000

30

60,000

1,000

35

35,000

2,000

35

70,000

2,000

30

60,000

4,000

32

128,000

2,000

35

70,000

4,000

30

120,000

8,000

29

232,000

2,000

30

60,000

2,000

35

70,000

6,000

32

192,000

2,000

35

70,000

3,000

33

99,000

2,000

20

40,000

1.000

28

28,000

4,000

9

36.000

1,000

10

10,000

2,000

7

14.000

1,000

6

6,000

6,000

12

72,000

5,000

9

45,000

2,000

26

52,000

2,000

29

58,000

3,000

36

108,000

10,000

34

340,000

6,000

34

204,000

6,000

25

150.000

1,000

33

33,000

6,000

20

120,000

5,000

18

90,000

2,000

14

28.000

3,000

10

30.000

7,000

11

77.000

2,000

11

22,000

2,000

8

16,000

2,000

17
24.0

34,000

179,000

4.296.000

I.AX, an important cash crop in eastern
and northeastern Montana, encountered an
unfavorable season in 1926 that at the out-
set tended to curtail acreage by reason of
dry soils and later damaged the crop by
dry weather in July. Acreage in 1926 was
reduced to 177,000 from 244,000 acres in
1925 and 246,000 acres in 1924. Production
in 1926 on a basis of 4.7 bushels yield per
acre, was 804,000 bushels compared with
1,098,000 bushels in 1925 and 2,140,000
bushels in 1924.

(See pages 17 and 19 for flax acreage
and production during the past three

\' ?*W-u-V:''f"l£T£rfe'it>^iB6 years.)

FLAX BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND
1926 REVISED

r^. . . . J Acre Produc-

District and Acreage Yield tion

Co""*^y (Bu.) (Bu.)

NORTHWESTERN

Lake 100 5.0 500

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 6,000 6.0 36,000

Chouteau 100 5.0 500

Glacier 100 5.0 500

Hill 2,000 5.4 10,800

Liberty 1.000 6.5 6,500

Pondera 1,000 4.0 4,000

Teton 100 5.0 500

Toole 200 5.0 1,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 25.000 4.5 112,500

Phillips 4,000 4.5 18,000

Roosevelt 15,000 4.0 60,000

Sheridan 40,000 4.0 160,000

Valley 16.000 4.5 72,000

CENTRAL

Cascade 200 4.0 800

Fergus 1,000 2.0 2,000

Golden Valley 200 4.0 800

Judith Basin 100 5.0 500

Meagher 200 3.0 600

Musselshell 200 4.0 800

Wheatland 100 4.0 400

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 26,000 4.5 117,000

Garfield 16,000 4.7 75,200

McCone 24,000 4.0 96,000

Prairie 10,000 4.0 40,000

Richland 15,000 4.0 60,000

Wibaux 11,000 v 6.0 66,000

SOUTHWESTERN

Madison 100 6.0 600

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 100 6.0 600

Stillwater _..» 200 5.5 1.100

Sweet Grass 2,000 5.2 10,400

Yellowstone - „ 1,000 5.0 5,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 7,000 5.0 36.000

Carter 4,000 5.3 21,200

Custer 4,000 3.7 14,800

Fallon ; 9,000 5.6 60,400

Powder River 1,000 8.5 8,500

Rosebud r... 1,000 7.6 7,500

Treasure

STATE TOTAL 244,000 4.5 1,098,000

1925

1926 (DEC. EST.)

Acre Produc-

Acreage Yield tion

(Bu.) (Bu.)

200

5.0

,000

6,000

5.5

33,000

300

6.0

1.800

200

5.0

1.000

2,000

5.0

10,000

1.000

5.0

5,000

1,000

5.0

6.000

200

5.5

1,100

200

6.0

1,200

19,000

6.5

123,500

3,000

6.0

18,000

11,000

4.0

44,000

26,000

6.5

169.000

12,000

7.0

84,000

200

4.0

800

1,000

4.5

4.600

200

5.0

1.000

100

6.0

600

200

6.0

1,200

200

4.5

^00

100

5.0

500

18,000

3.5

68,000

10.000

4.5

45.000

17,000

3.0

61,000

7.000

3.0

21,000

10,000

3.5

35,000

8,000

3.0

24,000

100

4.0

400

200

4.0

800

300

5.0
"6.0

1,500

1,000

5,000

4,000

4.0

16,000

2.000

3.5

7.000

2,000

3.0

6.000

5.000

2.5

12,600

1,000

3.6

8.500

1,000

4.0

4,000

300

4.0

1,200

171,C

4.7

804.000

POTATOES

The state was about to harvest as large a crop in 1926 as in 1925 when
freezing temperatures at digging time damaged the bulk of the crop materially.
The 1926 production was placed at 2 975,000 bushels compared with 3,780,000 in
1925 and 2,992,000 in 1924. At that estimate the 1926 figure included considera-
ble damaged stock that has since shown up as bad, although it was harvested.
Shipments from the 1926 crop to date of January 29th were 432 cars compared
with 894 cars to date of January 30th a year ago and the total of 1,508 cars from
the 1925 crop. It is not expected that the full season's shipments will show any
stronger ratio to last year's total than that shown in the movement from both
crops to date.

POTATOES BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND 1925

1925

Acreage

2,700
300
600
400

District and
County

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead

Lincoln

Lake

Sanders

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 1,000

Chouteau 400

Glacier 200

Hill ^ 700

Liberty .: 200

Pondera _ 700

Teton 400

Toole 300

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 400

Phillips 400

Roosevelt 400

Sheridan „ 800

Valley 700

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 800

Granite „ 500

Mineral 200

Missoula 700

Powell 900

Ravalli . 2.100

CENTRAL

Broadwater 600

Cascade 1,100

Fergus 1,000

Golden Valley 300

Jefferson 700

Judith Basin „ 500

Lewis and Clark 1,600

Meagher 400

Musselshell „.... 500

Petroleum 100

Wheatland „. 200

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 700

Garfield 500

McCone 400

Prairie 400

Richland 600

Wibaux 400

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 400

Madison 1,100

Silver Bow 300

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 700

Gallatin 1.100

Park 600

Stillwater 700

Sweet Grass 300

Yellowstone 900

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 400

Carter 300

Custer 700

Fallon 400

Powder River _ 400

Rosebud .— 600

Treasure : - 800

REVISED
Acre
Yield
(Bu.)

139
111
155
109

133
105

85
100

98
127
105
102

98

104

105

93

91

90
90
115
110
120
145

108

103

64

120

110

102

113

90

41

57

70

90

150
122
130

100
105
125
90
93
122

130
90
90
82
80
96
90

STATE TOTALS ..._ 85,000

Produc-
tion
iBu.)

375,300
33,300
93,000
43,600

133,000
42,000
17,000
70,000
19,600
88,900
42,000
30,600

39,200
41,600
42,000
74,400
63,700

72,000
45,000
23,000
77,000
108,000
304,500

64,800

113,300

64,000

36,000

77,000

51,000

180,800

36,000

20,500

5,700

14,000

56,000
45,000
32,800
29,200
53,400
36,000

60,000

134.200

39,000

70,000
115,500
75,000
63,000
27,900
109,800

52,000
27,000
63,000
32,800
32,000
67,600
27,000

3,780.000

1926 (DEC. EST.)

Acre Produc-
Acreage Yield tion
(Bu.) (Bu.)

2,900
300
600
500

900
400
200
700
300
800
500
300

400
400
500
500
600

70«
400
200
600
800
1,700

600

1,300

1.100

300

700

500

1,500

400

500

100

300

800
500
300
300
700
400

400
900
300

700
1.200
700
600
300
1,100

400
300
800
400
500
600
300

93 269.700

100 30,000

110 66,000

85 42,500

90
75
65
65
60
105
90
75

90
90
90
95

90
90
85
95
110

106
80
70
85
90
71
85
90
50
60
60

40
38
35
42
50
40

85
120
90

110
110
125
90
120
116

100
70
50

50
81
50
90

35,000

81,000
80,000
13,500
45,500
18,000
84,000
45,000
22,500

36,000
36,000
45,000
47,500
54,000

56,000
36,000
18,000
27,000
76,000
187,000

63,600

104,000

77.000

25,500

63,000

35,500

127,500

36,000

25,000

6,000

18,000

32,000
19,000
10,509
13,600
35,000
16,000

34,000

108.000

27,000

77,000
132,000
87,500
54,000
36,000
127,600

40,000
21,000
40,000
20,000
40,600
30,000
27,000

86 2,976,000

Rye acreap:e increased in 1926 and the
averafte yield per acre was only slightly
below that of 1925. Production in 1926 was
1,284,000 bushels, compared with 1,000,000
bushels in 1925 and 1,120,000 bushels in
1924.

RYE BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND 1925

1925

District and Acreaee

County Acreage

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 700

Lincoln 300

Lake 800

Sanders 200

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 13.000

Chouteau 3,000

Glacier 1,000

Hill 3,000

Pondera 200

Liberty _. 200

Teton 1,000

Toole _ 1,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 3,000

Phillips 3,000

Roosevelt 5,000

Sheridan 5,000

Valley 2,000

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 100

Granite 200

Missoula 2,000

Powell 200

Ravalli 200

CENTRAL

Broadwater 400

Cascade 2,000

Fergus 2,000

Golden Valley

Jefferson 2,000

Judith Basin 1,000

Lewis and Clark 2,000

Meagher 300

Musselshell 1,500

Wheatland

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 1,000

Garfield 1,000

McCone 1,000

Prairie 300

Richland 2,000

Wibaux 400

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 200

Madison 300

Silver Bow 400

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 200

Gallatin 2,000

Park 200

Stillwater 1.000

Sweet Grass 1,000

Yellowstone 1,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 1,000

Carter 2,000

Custer „ 500

Fallon ^ 4,000

Powder River « 200

Rosebud 8,000

Treasure 1,000

STATE TOTALS 80,000

REVISE!

►

1926

(DEC.

EST.)

Acre

Produc-

Acre

Produc-

Yield

tion

Acreage

Yield

tion

(Bu.)

(Bu.)

(Bu.)

(Bu.)

20

14,000

800

9

7,200

14

4,200

400

8

3,200

15

12,000

900

15

13,500

9

1,800

300

8

2,400

13

169,000

16,000

12

192,000

10

30,000

5,000

11

65,000

15

15,000

1,000

10

10,000

9

27,000

4,000

9

36,000

15

3,000

300

17

5,100

15

3,000

200

7

1,400

9

9,000

2,000

16

32,000

10

10,000

1.000

8

8,000

12

36.000

3,000

18

54,000

11

33,000

5,000

10

50,000

12

60.000

7,000

14

98,000

11

55.000

7,000

14

98,000

14

28,000

2,000

12.5

25,000

10

1,000

200

16

3,200

10

2,000

100

19

1,900

15

30.000

2.000

20

40,000

15

3,000

300

24

7,200

20

4.000

200

22

4,400

17.5

7,000

600

21

12,600

15

30,000

3,000

13

39,000

13

26,000

4,000

12
14

48,000

10

20,000

3,000

42,000

13

13,000

2,000

14

28,000

18

36.000

2,500

9

22,500

20

6,000

300

20

6,000

10

15,000

2,000

10

20,000

600

9

5,400

10

10,000

1,000

6

6,000

11

11.000

2.000

7

14,000

10

10,000

1.000

8

8.000

10

3,000

400

6

2,400

10

20.000

3,000

9

27,000

15

6,000

500

6

3,000

15

3,000

500

15

7,500

25

7,500

1,000

22

22.000

10

4.000

1,000

15

15.000

15

3,000

500

18

9.000

15

30,000

3.000

22

66.000

20

4.000

300

15

4.500

12

12,000

1,000

11

11,000

17

17,000

1,000

15

15,000

11

11,000

2,000

9

18,000

10

10,000

1,000

10

10,000

14

28,000

2.000

7

14.000

11

5,500

600

6

3,600

14

44,000

4,000

5

20,000

15

8,000

500

10

6,000

15

45,000

3,000

8

24,000

10

10,000

1,000

8

8,000

12.5 1,000,000

107,000

12.0 1,284,000

Oats production in 1926 ran well above that of 1925 for the state as a whole
which produced nearly three million bushels more than in 1926. Western and
eastern Montana averaged below 1925 yields but central Montana exceeded gen-
erally the 1925 averages.

OATS BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND 1925

1925 REVISED 1926 (DEC. EST.)

r^. . . . , Acre Produc- Acre Produc-

District and Acreage Yield tion Acreage Vield tion

County (Bu ) (Bu ) (Bu.) (Bu.)

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 9,000 29 261,000 10,000 26 260,000

Lincoln 2,000 28 56,000 2,000 24 48,000

Lake 7,000 34 238,000 7,000 27 189,000

Sanders 2,000 33 66,000 2,000 27 54,000

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 15,000 23 345,000 16,000 23 368,000

Chouteau 14,000 20 280,000 13,000 23 299,000

Glacier 4,000 38 152,000 4,000 25 100,000

Hill - 18,000 17 306,000 19,000 22 418,000

Liberty 3,000 20 60,000 3,000 21 63,000

Pondera 11,000 31 341,000 11,000 30 330,000

Teton 11.000 25 275,000 12,000 42 504,000

Toole 6,000 16 96,000 6,000 19 114,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 29,000 20 580,000 31,000 29 899,000

Phillips 19,000 18 342,000 22,000 28 616,000

Roosevelt 27,000 15 405,000 28,000 25 700,000

Sheridan 40,000 12 480,000 41,000 27 1,107,000

Valley 33,000 19 627,000 38,000 27 1,026,000

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 2,000 40 80,000 2,000 28 56,000

Granite 2,000 48 96,000 2,000 28 56,000

Mineral 2,000 37 74,000 2,000 27 54,000

Missoula 6,000 42 252,000 6,000 42 252,000

Powell 5,000 28 140,000 5,000 33 165,000

Ravalli 6,000 48 288,000 6,000 36 216,000

CENTRAL

Broadwater 7,000 47 329,000 7,000 39 273,000

Cascade 11,000 24 264,000 12,000 36 432,000

Fergus 27,000 20 540,000 27,000 27 729,000

Golden Valley 8,000 16 128,000 8,000 20 160,000

Jefferson 2,000 27 54,000 2,000 32 64,000

Judith Basin 9,000 21 189,000 9,000 36 324,000

Lewis and Clark ; 5,000 33 165,000 5,000 39 195,000

Meagher 3,000 16 48,000 3,000 38 114,000

Musselshell 9,000 17 153,000 9,000 13 117,000

Wheatland 7,000 20 140,000 7,000 28 196,000

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson .1 25,000 16 400,000 25,000 16 400,000

Garfield 13,000 15 195,000 13,000 19 247,000

McCone 19,000 16 304,000 21,000 12 252,000

Prairie 10,000 21 210,000 11,000 13 143,000

Richland 25,000 20 500,000 25,000 16 400,000

Wibaux 14.000 18 252,000 14,000 12 168,000

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 7,000 53 371,000 7,000 32 224,000

Madison ..; 7,000 51 357,000 7,000 38 266,000

Silver Bow 2,000 45 90,000 2,000 35 70,000

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 9,000 41 369,000 11,000 48 528,000

Gallatin 13,000 38 494,000 14,000 38 532,000

Park 6,000 41 246,000 7,000 40 280,000

Stillwater _ 11,000 23 253,000 12,000 24 288,000

Sweet Grass 7,000 26 182,000 8,000 45 360,000

Yellowstone 15,000 21 315,000 16,000 27 432,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 9,000 31 279,000 10,000 31 310,000

Carter 9,000 16 144,000 10,000 28 280,000

Custer 8,000 16 128,000 9,000 18 162,000

Fallon 13,000 20 260,000 14,000 18 252,000

Powder River 4--. 7,000 17 119,000 7,000 25 175,000

Rosebud 12,000 17 204,000 11,000 13 143,000

Treasure 3,000 30 90,000 4,000 26 100,000

STATE TOTALS ,.,...- 605,000 22.5 13,612,000 635,000 26.0 16.510,000

■j3|

HAY

OME decrease in production including both
tame hay and wild hay occurred in 1926 as
a result of dry weather. A total of 2,484,-
000 tons of both kinds was cut compared
with 2,631,000 tons in 1925 and 2,708,000
tons in 1924. Reduction of tonnage cut in
1926 was slightly greater in case of wild
hay than with tame hay.

The tendency of recent years has been to
accumulate some surplus of hay to offset
fluctuating seasonal production and thus
avoid such a situation as occurred in 1919
when an unusually dry season followed by
a severe winter brought about serious
shortages.

TAME HAY BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND 1925

District and Acreaee

County Acreage

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead - 25,000

Lincoln „ 12,000

Lake _ 23,000

Sanders 15,000

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 23,000

Chouteau „ 21,000

Glacier 2,000

Hill 12,000

Liberty 5,000

Pondera - 17,000

Teton 16,000

Toole 5,000

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 6,000

Phillips 15,000

Roosevelt 12,000

Sheridan 15.000

Valley 20,000

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 11,000

Granite „ 24,000

Mineral 3,000

Missoula 20,000

Powell 39,000

Ravalli 36,000

CENTRAL

Broadwater 18,000

Cascade 53,000

Fergus 69,000

Golden Valley 10,000

Jefferson ^ 13,000

Judith Basin 32,000

Lewis and Clark 31,000

Meagher „ 28,000

Musselshell 15,000

Wheatland „ 18,000

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 15,000

Garfield „ 23,000

McCone „ 19,000

Prairie „ 5,000

Richland 26,000

Wibaux 9,000

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 45,000

Madison 52,000

Silver Bow „ 5,000

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon „ 48,000

Gallatin 48,000

Park 44,000

1925 REVISED

1926

(DEC.

EST.)

Acre

Produc-

Acre

Produc-

e Yield

tion

Acreage

Yield

tion

(Tons)

(Tons)

(Tons)

(Tons)

> 1.60

40,000

24,000

1.35

32.400

1.40

16,800

12,000

1.45

17.400

1.60

36,800

24,000

1.70

40.800

1.70

25,500

15,000

1.70

25,500

2.20

50,600

24,000

2.10

50,400

2.30

48,300

21,000

1.85

38.900

1.10

2,200

2,000

1.25

2,500

1.60 .

19,200

12,000

1.50

18,000

2.22

11,100

6,000

1.20

7,200

1.90

32,300

16,000

1.70

27,200

1.65

26,400

16.000

2.10

33,600

2.00

1(^,000

5.000

1.50

7,500

1.50

9,000

6.000

1.40

8,400

1.00

15,000

15.000

1.00

15,000

2.00

24,000

12,000

1.20

14.400

1.10

16.500

15,000

1.10

16.500

1.50

30,000

20,000

1.20

24,000

1.00

14,300

11,000

1.30

14,300

1.55

37,200

23,000

1.40

32.200

1.70

6,100

2,000

1.40

2,800

2.51

50,200

20.000

2.30

46,000

1.30

50,700

39,000

1.30

50,700

2.20

79,200

38.000

2.20

83,600

1.60

28.800

18.000

1.90

34,200

1.60

84,800

52,000

1.65

85,800

1.20

82,800

68,000

1.30

88,400

1.60

16,000

9,000

1.80

16.200

1.90

24,700

13,000

2.05

26,700

1.30

41,600

33,000

1.40

46,200

1.80

55.800

31,000

1.40

43.400

1.15

32,200

27,000

1.40

37,800

1.10

16,500

16,000

1.10

17.600

1.25

22,500

19.000

1.25

23.800

1.00

15,000

16,000

.70

11.200

1.20

27.600

24.000

1.10

26.400

1.70

32.600

18,000

.85

15,300

.92

4.600

5,000

.70

8,500

.95

24.700

27.000

.90

24,300

1.00

99.000

10,000

.80

8.000

2.20

99.000

43,000

1.80

77.400

2.20

114.400

51.000

1.90

96,900

1.30

9,000

5,000

2.00

10.000

2.00

86,000

43.000

2.10

90,300

2.00

96.000

47.000

2.05

96,400

2.50

110.000

44.000

2.10

92.400

(Tame Hay — Continued.)

Stillwater 29,000 1.00 29,000

Sweet Grass _ 35,000 1.80 63,000

Yellowstone 38,000 2.50 95,000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 28,000 1.50 42,000

Carter 15,000 1.40 21,000

Custer 16,000 1.00 16,000

Fallon 9,000 1.00 9,000

Powder River 29,000 1.00 29,000

Rosebud 24,000 1.50 36,000

Treasure 11,000 2.00 22,000

STATE TOTALS 1,232,000 1.66 2,046,000

30,000

1.60

48.000

37,000

2.00

74,000

39,000

1.95

76,100

29.000

1.50

43.500

16,000

1.50

24,000

17,000

1.20

20.400

9,000

1.40

12.600

29,000

1.50

43,500

24,000

1.10

26,400

12,000

1.50

18.000

1.239,000

1.59

1,968,000

WILD HAY BY COUNTIES FOR 1926 AND 1925

1925 REVISED 1926 (DEC. EST.)

District and A*^^® Produc- Acre Produc-

rniiT,+^7 Acreage field tion Acreage Yield tion

^^"^^^y (Tons) (Tons) (Tons) (Tons)

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 5,000 1.00 5,000 4.000 .70 2.800

Lincoln 1,000 1.00 1,000 1.000 .60 600

Lake 1,000 1.00 1,000 2.000 .60 1,200

Sanders 1,000 1.00 1.000 1,000 .90 900

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 15.000 .80 12,000 16,000 .80 12.800

Chouteau 7,000 .90 6,300 7,000 .90 6,300

Glacier 21,000 .90 18,900 22.000 .51 11.220

Hill 3,000 .80 2,400 2,000 .40 800

Liberty 4,000 .50 2.000 3.000 .60 1,800

Pondera 5.000 .50 2.500 7,000 .50 3,500

Teton 25,000 .50 12,500 27,000 1^00 27,000

Toole 4,000 .60 2,400 4,000 .60 2.400

NORTHEASTERN

Daniels 4.000 .90 3,600 5.000 .50 2.500

Phillips 24.000 .80 19,200 25,000 .50 12.500

Roosevelt 23,000 .70 16,100 24,000 .70 16,800

Sheridan 13,000 .80 10,400 14.000 .60 8,400

Valley 18,000 1.00 18,000 19,000 .75 14,250

WEST CENTRAL

Deer Lodge 6,000 1.00 6,000 5,000 .80 4.000

Granite 3,000 1.00 3,000 3.000 .90 2,700

Mineral 1,000 1.40 1.400 1.000 .90 900

Missoula 2.000 1.50 3.000 3.000 .80 2.400

Powell 23,000 1.00 23,000 24,000 .95 22.800

^J^avalh 2,000 .80 1,600 2,000 1.00 2,000

Broadwater 6,000 1.40 8,400 7,000 1.50 10,500

Cascade 10,000 1.50 15,000 11,000 1.25 13.750

f^ergus 9,000 .90 8,100 10.000 .65 6,500

Golden Valley 2,000 1.00 2,000 3,000 .60 1.800

Jefferson 10,000 1.00 10,000 11,000 1.25 11.550

Judith Basin 11,000 .60 6,600 12,000 .80 9,600

Lewis and Clark 20.000 .80 16,000 21,000 .65 13,650

Meagher 15,000 1.20 18,000 16,000 1.00 16,000

Musselshell 3,000 .75 2.400 2,000 .50 1,000

Wheatland 6.000 .70 4,:00 5,000 .54 2,600

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 16.000 .70 11,200 14,000 .65 9,100

Garfield 4^000 .60 2,400 4,000 .35 1,400

McCone 9.000 AO 3.600 8,000 .40 3.200

Prairie 6.000 .50 3.000 5,000 .35 1,750

Richland 9,000 .60 5,400 8.000 .30 2,400

Wibaux ,. 2,000 .60 1,200 1,000 .35 3.500

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 170.000 1.10 187,000 158,000 .1)0 142,200

Madison 17,000 1.30 22,100 21,000 1.00 21.000

Sliver Bow 4,000 1.10 4,000 5.000 .80 4.000

SOUTH CENTRAL '

Carbon 1,000 1.10 1,100 1,000 1.00 1.000

Gallatin 1,000 1.00 1,000 1,000 1.00 1.000

Park 3,000 1.00 3,000 3,000 1.10 3.300

Stillwater 3.000 1.00 3.000 3,000 .95 2,850

Sweet Grass 5,000 .90 4.500 5.000 .90 4.500

Yellowstone 2,000 .90 1.800 2,000 1.00 2.000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn •. 11.000 .70 7.700 12.000 .90 10,800

Carter 34.000 .60 20,400 28,000 .50 14,000

Custer 11.000 .50 5.500 10.000 1.00 10.000

Fallon ,. 10.000 .83 8,300 9,000 .82 7,380

Powder River 12,000 1.00 12,000 12,000 1.00 12,000

Rosebud 16,000 .80 12,800 15.000 .70 10,500

Treasure 1,000 1.00 11,000 1,000 .60 600

STATE TOTALS 650.000 .90 585.000 645.000 .80 516,000

—89—

APPLES

HE September freeze greatly damaged one
of the best apple crops in western Montana
that the state has had in the past three
years. About half of the crop was picked
at the time of the freeze and the unpicked
portion was practically an entire loss. As
placed by the December estimate, 1926
production of 325,000 bushels will probably
need some upward revision next December,
as indicated by the season's shipments to
date of January 29th of 338 cars. The very
favorable crop of 1926, had it matured
without damage, would have been larger
than at first supposed by growers.

OTHER FRUITS AND BERRIES

There is still a small production of pears and plums in western Montana,
although much damage was done to orchards by the December freeze two years
ago that has not yet been wholly remedied by new plantings. Sweet cherries
were becoming somewhat popular before the freeze damage but since that time
the principal increase in small fruits has been with the sour canning cherries.
A considerable tonnage of sour cherries was canned in 1926 in the Bitter Root
and the experience of growers was generally favorable. Some new plantings
of sour cherries has been reported.

Strawberry production has shown some tendency to increase in western Mon-
tana as a result of recent favorable seasons.

WESTERN MONTANA ORCHARD

SEED AND CANNING PEAS

OWER prices for both seed and canning
peas in 1926 have tended somewhat to cur-
tail production compared with 1925. In
case of seed peas production fell off to
520,000 bushels in 1926 compared with
560,000 in 1925, while in case of canned
peas, the 1926 pack was 316,000 cases,
compared with 332,000 cases in 1925 with
one more factory operating in 1926 than in
the preceding year.

TOTAL VALUE

Total value to Montana of the pea grow-
ing industry in 1926 was $1,862,000. Of
this total $1,040,000 is the value of the
production of seed peas largely grown un-
der contract for canners and seed houses,
'.^-^^^.i'.. ^^^^N^HHHHi^ni while green peas canned at three IVjontana

factories were worth $822,000.

INDUSTRY GROWING

The pea industry in Montana has had a remarkable growth during the
past five years. In 1922 the seed pea crop was worth about $200,000 and by
1924 its value was more than four times this amount; reaching $945,000 that
year; $1,176,000 in 1925 and dropping off slightly to $1,040,000 in 1926.

The canning pea industry has likewise developed to a place among Mon-
tana's important special crops. A new factory at Red Lodge in 1926 has added
to the potential production of canned peas in the state.

OUTLOOK FOR INDUSTRY

Quality and favorable yields are factors in Montana seed pea production
that enable the state to compete with the older seed production areas. In
manufacture of canned peas, Montana is somewhat handicapped by geographic
factors, such as lack of close markets and freight rates. Both ends of the
industry in Montana are dependent upon the general condition of the industry
throughout the United States. Some adjustment nationally is to be expected
in both seed production and canning as a result of declining prices during the
past three years.

SEED PEAS FOR 1925 AND 1926 BY COUNTIES

1925 REVISED 1926 (DEC. EST.)

TH<?trif.t and ^.cre Produc- Acre Produc-

Count? Acreage Yield tion Acreage Yield tion

^*^ ^ (Bu.) (Bu.) (Bu.) (Bu.)

NORTHWESTERN

Flathead 150 21 3,150 200 20 4,000

Lake 2,400 II 26,400 2,100 21 44,100

WEST CENTRAL

Granite 100 16 1,600 150 20 3,000

Missoula 550 18 9,900 850 19 17,000

Powell 200 18 3,600 150 20 3,000

Ravalli 1,250 17 21,250 1,300 22 28,600

CENTRAL

Broadwater 200 i5 3,000 150 21 3,150

Cascade 150 12 1,650 120 21 2,520

Fergus 260 10 2,600 150 20 3,000

Jefferson 600 15 9,000 500 20 10,000

Lewis and Clark 350 15 5,250 630 21 13,230

Wheatland 200 17 3,400 200 21 4 200

EAST CENTRAL

Richland 250 16 4,000 300 21 6.300

SOUTHWESTERN

Beaverhead 1,200 22 26,400 1,100 22 24 200

Madison 400 25 10,000 400 20 sioOO

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 4,800 26 124,000 5,000 27 135,000

Gallatin 13,200 20 264,000 10,900 16 174,400

Park 1,300 24 31,200 1,500 20 30,000

Stillwater 400 20 8,800 300 21 6,300

STATE TOTALS 28,000 20.0 560,000 26,000 ^OjO 520.000

—41—

ALFALFA SEED

?^.ft^s«* Q ^j^umeration of alfalfa seed production
jVj in the state has been made since the Fed-

X\ eral Census of 1919 in which year 23,328

bushels were produced. Production since
then has expanded rapidly and the crop has
become an important cash crop in south-
eastern Montana. In this section of the
state Garfield, Big Horn, Rosebud, Powder
River and Treasure counties have become
important producers, although commercial
production is also now found in other sec-
tions of the state, including counties in the
Milk River valley.

Considerable of the present production
is certified seed, there being reported for
1926 nearly 12,000 acres, or half of the
total in registered Grimm and Cossack.

Grimm, however, constitutes the bulk of this acreage with 11,015 acres reported

in 1926 against 993 acres of Cossack.

Estimates of production during the past three years have been as follows:

Acre Produc- Produc-

Year Acreage Yield tion tion

(Bu.) . (Bu.) (Pounds)

1924 19.000 2.5 47,000 2,820,000

1925 28,000 2.8 78,000 4.680,000

1926 23,000 2.7 62,000 3,720,000

1925-1926 SHIPMENTS— 1926-1927 SUPPLY

From the 1925 crop total railroad shipments from October 1, 1925 to Sep-
tember 30, 1926, show a total of 3,665,749 pounds of alfalfa seed shipped from
Montana, which with an additional allowance of 100,000 bushels for seed would
indicate a carry-over from the 1925 crop of about 900,000 pounds. The total
supply for 1926-1927 season, therefore, including carry-over and excluding seed
needs is very nearly as large as the preceding season.

STATE DEPARTMENT ORIGIN RECORDS

The State Department of Agriculture "tags" and seals cars of Montana
alfalfa seed certifying origin of the seed. In 1925 out of a total of 3,665,749
pounds shipments as reported by railroads, the State Department sealed 1,800,000
pounds and rejected about 120,000 pounds. During the 1926-1927 season to date
(February) a total of 2,800,000 pounds have been sealed with about 430,000
pounds expected to go in the near future. However, it is believed that a much
larger percentage of the total shipments will be handled through department
sealing this season compared with last and that total shipments for the entire
season will approximate those of the 1925-1926 season.

—42-

BEANS

Beans are grown in Montana as a cash crop and production has increased
rapidly since 1920. In 1923 the industry was credited with 23,000 acres on
which an average yield per acre of 11.5 bushels gave a total production of
264,000 bushels. The farm price of beans in 1923 was $3.70 per bushel giving
an acre value of $42.55 and a total farm value of $977,000. The acreage in-
creased in 1924 to 25,000 with an average yield of 12 bushels and total produc-
tion of 300,000 bushels. Prices were not so good in 1924 as in 1923, the
unit value of $3.30 per bushel giving a total farm value for the crop of
$990,000 and an acre value of $39.60. In 1925 the bean acreage was further
increased 12,000 acres to 37,000 while the average yield per acre also increased
a half bushel over 1924 and at 12.5 bushels gave a state production of 462,000
bushels, on which the average farm price was $3.05 per bushel; the total farm
value, $1,411,000, and the acre value, $38.13. A further acreage increase of
4,000 acres in 1926 was more than offset by a lower acre yield of 10.0 bushels.
Production was 410,000 bushels. December 1st price of $2.80 per bushel placed
total farm value at $1,148,000 and average acre value at $28.00.

BEAN VARIETIES

The bulk of Montana's commercial production of beans is devoted to the
Great Northern variety, a dry white bean of excellent eating quality, developed
from a native bean grown by the Indians of the Upper Missouri valleys. The
market for the Great Northern bean has been a shade better than for other
varieties of dry beans in the past three years of heavy national bean pro-
duction. Idaho is the principal competitor of Montana in the production of
the Great Northern beans.

Other beans grown in Montana include a small amount of chili and colored
beans, in dried beans; and a small, but growing, production of green beans for
canning.

September weather at bean harvest has been unfavorable during the past
two years, 1925 and 1926, resulting in more than usual loss by discoloration,
splits and frost damage. With average harvest conditions, however, the Great
Northern bean shows a high quality and small dockage.

In 1925 there were packed in the state 20,095 cases of green beans worth
about $50,238. The 1926 season saw an increase in the pack of green beans
with a total of 22,502 cases worth about $56,300.

BEANS BY COUNTIES FOR 1925 AND 1926

1925 REVISED 1926 (DEC. EST.)

r,:<,+„:„i „„j Acre Produc- Acre Produc-

r^ fJ:+,^ Acreage Yield Hon Acreage Yield tion

'-^°""'^y (Bu.) (Bu.) (Bu.) (Bu.)

NORTHWESTERN

Lake 100 10 1,000 100 9 900

NORTH CENTRAL

Blaine 700 14 0.800 800 8 6.400

Hill , 300 12 3,600 300 10 3,000

NORTHEASTERN

Phillips 700 5 3,500 900 5 4,500

Roosevelt 100 8 800 150 8 1,200

Sheridan 100 5 500 150 8 1,200

Valley 500 9 4,500 600 6 3,600

CENTRAL

Cascade 400 10 4,000 500 12 6,000

Fergus 200 12 2,400 300 12 3,600

Golden Valley 100 9 900 200 8 1,600

Musselshell 200 10 2,000 300 6 1,800

EAST CENTRAL

Dawson 500 12 6,000 500 6 3,000

Prairie 1,200 8 9,600 1,500 7 10,500

Richland 1,500 14 6,000 2,000 9 18,000

SOUTH CENTRAL

Carbon 3,000 14 42,000 3,500 13 45,500

Stillwater 3,000 14 42,000 4,000 15 6,000

Yellowstone 16,000 13.5 216.000 15,000 12 180.000

SOUTHEASTERN

Big Horn 4,000 14 56,000 5,000 13 65,000

Carter 200 10 2,000 300 10 3,000

Custer 200 8 1,600 300 9 2,700

Powder River 700 10 7,000 800 10 8,000

Rosebud 3,000 12.5 37,500 3,500 " 9 31,500

Treasure 300 11 3,300 300 10 3,000

STATE TOTALS 37,000 12.5 462,000 41,000 10 410,000

—43—

MONTANA AND THE SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY

UGAR Beets constitute one of the import-
ant cash crops grown in Montana, the in-
dustry having expanded to approximately
three times the reported acreage shown by
the Federal Census of 1910. In 1926 the
acreage devoted to sugar beets was estimat-
ed to be 30 000, giving a production of
348 000 tons, compared with 1925 acreage of
30,000 and a production of 315,000 tons,
and 1924 acreage of 31,000 acres and a prod-
uction of 326,000 tons. The expansion in
sugar beet acreage has brought two new
sugar refineries into the state, making three
in all. The pioneer refinery is located at
Billings and operated by the Great Western
Sugar Company; one of the new sugar fac-
tories is located at Chinook, operated by the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, and
the other is at Sidney, operated by the Holly Sugar Company.

Hand in hand with the development of sugar beet raising in Montana has
gone the development of winter feeding and fattening of cattle, sheep and hogs
in the factory areas of the state.

Upwards of 100,000 head of sheep and lambs have been fattened in these
areas on an average for the past several years and an average of about 30,000
head of cattle have been fed for market with beet pulp as the basis of the fat-
tening ration.

The market value of livestock fattened as in these areas will annuaUy exceed
three millions of dollars, or the value of the beet crop itself.

LIVESTOCK SECTION

IMPORTANCE OF LIVESTOCK IN MONTANA

The importance of livestock in Montana is indicated by its annual
contribution to the total farm income of the state. In 1926, out of a
total of $129,856,000, it is estimated that $71,490,000 will come from live-
stock sources. Beef cattle alone will contribute about thirty-one million
dollars to the total for 1926, second only to wheat whose cash contribu-
tion is placed at forty-one million dollars. Sheep with combined returns
from lambs and wool, will return about twenty-two million dol'ars with
the dairy industry contributing about ten million dollars.

It is significant that three of the four largest sources of agricultural
income in Montana are livestock sources. There has only been one year,
that of 1924, when total income from crops exceeded that from livestock
and its products.

BEEF CATTLE IN MONTANA

Since 1870 the trend of beef production in Montana is indicated by the
trends in numbers of cattle, other than milk cows, as estimated by the U. S.
Division of Crops and Livestock Estimates as of January 1st each year since
the year 1870. This data is summarized as follows:

.January Ist

Number on
Farms
(Head)

1870 24.000

1880 162,000

1883-1889 Seven Year Average 773,000

1890-1899 Ten Year Average 1,048,000

1900-1909 Ten Year Average 970.000

1910-1919 Ten Year Average 971,000

1920-1924 Five Year Average 1,148,000

IN THE UNITED STATES

The general trend of beef cattle numbers in the United States has been
downward since the peak, of nearly fifty million head, that was reached between
1890 and 1900. The immediate downward trend that followed this peak brought
numbers to the thirty million mark between 1900 and 1910 and below the thirty
million mark by the beginning of the world war. During the war numbers
increased reaching the forty-three million mark by 1920 but during the post-
war period there has again been a pronounced downward trend that has averaged
a yearly decrease of about two million head since 1921. Some idea of this
trend may be gained from the following table:

NUMBER OF CATTLE OTHEK THAN MILK COWS AS OF
DATE JANUARY Ist IN YEARS NAMED

United States Montana

1920 42,926,000 1,192,000

1925 36,320,000 1,112,000

1926 33.091,000 1,052,000

1927 31.320,000 967,000

From this table it would appear that the same general factors operating
to shrink inventories of the beef cattle industry in the United States at large
have exerted a similar influence in Montana. This conclusion is generally ac-

MONTANA LIVESTOCK

Numbers of Livestock.
(1870 to 1927)

Vear ^^^^ ^luil Ca"tle «°^«« Sheep Swine Mules

1870 12,400* 24,000* 36,400 5,300* 2.000* 2,600* 500*

1880 11,500* 162,000* 173.500 36,000* 185,000* 10,500* 900*

1883 14.000 590,000 604.000 39,900 405,000 17,000 900

1884 14,200 672,600 686,800 45,900 466,000 17,500 1,000

1885 23,000 615,000 638,000 105,000 625,000 19,000 2,800

1886 25.300 725,700 751,000 120,700 719,000 19,000 8.900

1887 29.000 812.800 841.800 129.000 755,000 20.000 9.200

1888 31.000 934,500 965,500 187,000 1,265,000 22,000 5,500

1889 31.400 962.500 993.900 200,000 1,391,000 23,000 5.300

1890 33,000 981,800 1,014,800 216.000 1.990,000 29.000 2.400

1891 34,000 932,700 966,700 152.000 2,089,000 35,000 1,800

1892 35.700 1,026,000 1,061,700 107,000 2,089,000 35,000 1.200

1893 36,400 1.036,000 1,072.400 207,000 2,528,000 39,000 1,200

1894 36,400 1,057,000 1,093,400 197,000 2.781,000 39,000 900

1895 39,000 1,078,000 1.117,000 198,000 2,809,000 46,000 900

1896 42,000 1.154,000 1.196,000 183,000 3.061,000 52.000 900

1897 43,000 1,177,000 1,220,000 175,000 3,123,000 51,000 900

1898 42,700 1,082,000 1,510,000 171,800 3,248,000 47.000 900

1899 44.000 953.000 997.000 165,000 3,378,000 42.300 1,000

1900 48,500* 926,500* 975.000 347.000* 6.170.000* 50,000* 2.800*

1901 49,400 960,200 1.009.600 302,000 6,417.000 47,000 3,400

1902 50.000 998,000 1,048,000 275,000 5,081,000 49.000 3,400

1903 52.400 1.048,600 1,101,000 246,600 5,120,000 51,700 3,400

1904 53,900 1.059,000 1,112,900 244,000 5,270,000 54,800 3,400

1905 55,000 1,048,000 1,103,000 236,800 5,639,000 57.600 3.400

1906 61,600 965,000 1,020.600 239,000 5,752,000 59,900 3,600

1907 66,000 916,300 982,300 292,000 5,637,000 62,900 4,000

1908 69,000 879.000 948.000 292.000 5,524,000 66.000 4,000

1909 75.000 905,000 980,000 304.000 5.634.000 68.000 5.000

1910 80.000 842,000 922,000 319,000 5,747,000 75,000 5,000

1911 80,000+ 818,000t 898,000 344,000 5.230,000t 124.000 4.500t

1912 91.000 732.000 823.000 350,000t 4.926.0001 145.000t 5.000t

1913 95.000 750.0001 845.000 385.000t 4.675.000t 168.000t 5,500t

1914 104.000 826.000t 930.000 440.000t 3.850,0001 187,000t 6,000t

1915 114,000 836,000t 950.000 485,000t 3.340.000t 245.0001 6.500t

1916 125.000T 1.035.0001 1.170.000 520.000t 3.020.000t 270.000t 7,000t

1917 140,000t 1.114.000t 1.254,000 580,0001 2,670,0001 260,000t 7,500|

1918 150,0001 1,310, OOOt 1,460,000 640,0001 2,380.000t 202,000t 8,500t

1919 163.000t 1.447.000t 1.610.000 720.000t 2.530.0001 ISO.OOOt O.OOOf

1920 178,000 1.192.000 1.370,000 369.000 2.450,000 167,000 9,000

1921 181,000 1,088,000 1,269,000 669,000 2,328.000 160.000 9,000

1922 185.000 1,195.000 1.380.000 650.000 2.561,000 180,000 10,000

1923 192,000 1.168.000 1.360.000 643.000 2.408.000 225.000 10.000

1924 209.000 1.151.000 1,360.000 611,000 2,480.000 292.000 11,000

1925 222.000 1.118.000 1.340,000 596.000 2.579.000 280.000 11,000

1926 228,000 1,052,000 1,280,000 576,000 2.880.000 250.000 11.000

1927 223.000 967.000 1.190.000 564,000 2,736,000 240,000 11,000

NOTE: Many earlier estimates were made to exact figures. These have been rounded to irven
thousands or hundreds in above table.
*Ba8ed upon Census Data.

fTentative Revision. All others are United Stetes Department of Agriculture Estimates.

cepted in the contention that the chief
difficulty of the beef cattle man during
the post-war period has been the low
purchasing power of the beef dollar,
which is to say beef prices have been
too low compared with production costs.
In this difficulty Montana beef producers
have been almost equally handicapped
with all other beef producers of the na-
tion.

PURCHASING POWER OF BEEF IMPROVING

With the contraction of inventories during the past six years, there has
been a steady improvement in the purchasing power of cattle and calves since
the low point of 1921, although the present purchasing power of beef is still
below that of 1918 and 1919, and it has not recovered proportionally the same
ground as has been regained by sheep, lambs and hogs.

PURCHASING POWER OF BEEF COMPARED WITH OTHER MEAT ANIMALS

Year

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

Cattle

Calves

Sheep

Lambs

Hogs

97

94

128

126

117

94

95

106

111

113

68

73

77

84

75

63

70

60

73

65

62

68

78

98

69

63

69

85

104

58

67

74

92

112

64

73

80

103

127

93

77

88

101

122

101

CHANGES IN MARKETING AGE OF CATTLE

Partly as a result of the disproportionately high costs of beef production
in contrast with low beef prices and partly as a result of preference in market
demand for younger beef, Montana cattlemen have been lowering the age of
their marketings.

SHIFTS IN AGE IN MONTANA

As on
January 1st

1900 Census

1910 Census

1920 Census

1926 Sample Survey

As on

January 1st
1900 Census
1910 Census
1920 Census
1925 Census

Steers 1 year and

under 2 years.
Per cent of Total

%

36

52
61

: IN MONTANA

Cows
(000 head

Steers
omitted)

311
373
384
590

312
261
227
194

Steers over 2 years.
Per cent of Total

%

64

48
39

Number Steers

Per 100 Cows

100

70

59

AGE AND SEX GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES

Results of the 1925 census of agriculture are not yet available for a com-
parison to date of age and sex groups of beef cattle for the United States.

However, the trend as shown in the following table between 1900 and 1920
shows a decrease in steer classification, especially in the classification of two
years and over.

CHANGES IN AGE AND SEX GROUPS BEEF CATTLE, UNITED STATES

Class and Sex

Calves under 1 year

Heifers 1 and under 2

Cows 2 and over

Bulls 1 and over

Steers 1 and under 2

Steers 2 and over

Total Beef Cattle 100.0

Percenta

sre of Total

Increase

Decret

1900

1910

%

%

22.7

24.6

4.2

9.3

11.2

16.3

29.1

35.5

17.6

1.7

2.0

16.8

17.3

13.2

26.7

19.9

13.5

34.6

100.0

lOO.Q

3.6

—47—

TRENDS OF ALL CATTLE

The trend of numbers of beef cattle alone will not tell the whole story
of changes in the potential production of beef.

All dairy or milk cows are ultimately slaughtered as beef and in the end
compete with the meat of the beef animal. The trend of milk cow numbers
and dairy production is, therefore, of interest to the beef cattle producer.

BRIEF SKETCH OF SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF DAIRY DEVELOPMENT

. In 1850 there were about 6,400,000 dairy, or milk cows and in 1920 there
were 23,722,000 milk cows in the United States. Total population was 23,-
200,000 in 1850 and 105,700,000 in 1920. In 1850 there were 275 milk cows
per 1,000 population and in 1920 only 215 per 1,000 persons.

From these figures it is apparent that the dairy industry in the United
States has not expanded as rapidly as has population. Furthermore dairying
can not be expanded rapidly and favorable years have never resulted in any
serious over-production.

In the twenty years, 1870 to 1890, in spite of the scientific methods and
machinery that were brought into dairying, the number of milk cows per 1,000
population increased only 31, that is to say from 231 per 1,000 persons in 1870
to 262 in 1890.

Some of the important contributions to dairying between 1870 and 1890
were :

1 — First silo constructed in 1873.

2 — First refrigerator car used in 1875.

3 — First centrifugal separator brought from Sweden in 1882.

4 — Babcock test given to world in 1890.

5 — Use of thermometer and large number of dairy organizations started dur-
ing this period.

1920-1925 TREND IN UNITED STATES NUMBERS MILK COWS

The total number of milk cows and heifers two years old and over in
the United States in 1920 was 21,427,000. From 1920 to 1925 there was a
slow expansion to a high point of 22,481,000 on January 1, 1925. The Jan-
uary 1, 1926, number receded to 22,148,000 and the January 1 1927 number
to 21,824,000.

As affecting the yearly meat supplies of the nation, the development of
the dairy industry does not seem likely to produce any serious unexpected
surpluses, either through over-expansion of total numbers or forced marketings
of milk cow stock. The reason for this lies in the inherent stability of the
industry itself and the fact that dairy production can be readily increased
to meet higher prices by heavier feeding. Regulation of feeding is a more
satisfactory adjustment for short time fluctuations than increased breeding,
the effect of which could not be secured in less than two to three years or the
time required for a calf to develop into a producing milk cow.

On the other hand there is reason to expect that the consumption of dairy
products in the United States will have a tendency to increase. In 1914 the
United States was SIXTH in per capita consumption of Whole Milk in prin-
cipal nations of the world; FIFTH in per capita consumption of Butter; and
EIGHTH in per capita consumption of Cheese. Since then available records in-
dicate some increase in per capita consumption of both whole milk and butter
in the United States, although not to an extent to change the order of rank.

At the same time the above ranks were determined, the United States
stood SEVENTH among nations of the world in average milk production
per cow, being exceeded by Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Den-
mark, Germany and Canada. It would seem reasonable to expect that future
expansion of the dairy industry will come more largely through increasing
the average production of milk per cow rather than through increasing the
number of dairy cattle, since efficient production of dairy products offers
the largest gains to the dairy industry. The average yearly production per
cow in the United States is 4,000 pounds of milk containing about 160 pounds
of butter fat. Selection, feeding and better breeding, it is claimed could double
this average, with the result that fewer cows than at present could furnish
the present supply of dairy productions at much less cost and the same number
as at present could furnish a much greater production of dairy products to
meet future expansion of a consumptive demand.

CURRENT ESTIMATES FOR ALL CATTLE

United States

ALL CATTLE

January 1. 1927 57.521.000

January 1, 1926 59.148.000

January 1. 1925 61,696,000

MILK COWS AND HEIFERS

January 1, 1927 21.824,000

1, 1926 22,148.000

January
January
HEIFERS
January
January
January

1, 1925

1-2 (MILK)

1, 1927

1, 1926

1, 1925

22,481,000

4.080.000
3.909.000
4,195,000

Eleven
Western States

9,876,000
10,203,000
10,831.000

1,924,000
1,937,000
1.931.000

423.000
419.000
417,000

Montana

1,190,000
1,280.000
1,340,000

188,000
192,000
187,000

35,000
35,000
36,000

MARKETINGS MONTANA CATTLE 1926

The state brand office inspection records show a total of 504,472 cattle
and calves shipped from the state for the calendar year of 1926 compared with
407,365 head in 1925 and 320,644 head in 1924. The largest marketings pre-
ceding 1926 were those of 1919 when 641,337 head moved out. However, a
relatively large part of the 1919 exports went out to winter feeding and were
returned the next spring, it is quite likely that 1926 exports represent the
largest marketings of cattle and calves in the history of the state- Next in
order come 1925 with 407,365 head and 1918 with 406,415 head.

The 1926 marketings of cattle were influenced by drouth and short feed
supplies in eastern Montana and to some extent in other northern and north-
western sections. As a result they have exceeded what would have been a
normal output for the year and in spite of an increase in the 1926 calf crop of
about 73,000, involved an inventory loss by January 1, 1927, of 90,000 head
compared with January 1, 1926.

ANALYSIS CATTLE EXPORTS 1920-1925

Inspection records of the state office of Brand Inspection show the fol-
lowing classification of Montana cattle exports as steers, cows, calves and
bulls for the period 1920-1925 inclusive.

Year

1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925

Steers

Cows

Calves

%

%

%

54.5

40.7

3.1

78.5

16.9

3.4

65.2

29.3

4.0

55.0

37.0

6.0

58.0

35.0

5.0

51.4

41.1

5.7

Ji.llo.

Total

Total

Total

Classed

Exports

%

%

(Head)

(Head)

1.7

100

190,614

211,000

1.2

100

111,739

147,000

1.5

100

217,821

246,000

2.0

100

258,040

343,000

2.0

100

266.678

321,000

1.7

100

335.408

407,000
504,000

1926 (Not Yet Classified)

From this data is evident an upward trend in cow and calf marketings
and a downward trend in steer marketings. No data is available as to age
classes of steers marketed during this period, but it is assumed that such
data would show, if available, a strong shift toward yearling and long yearling
steers and decreasing numbers of steers above the two year mark. In other
words, it is expected that marketings would reflect the change in breeding
practices toward a younger market animal.

r;' YEARLY INCREASES - DECREASES a-"* INVENTORIES. ALL CATTLE - MONTANA

Jan 1.1920 to Jan. 1. 1927

1 I 1 I

INCREASE AND DECREASE FACTORS SINCE 1920 TO 1926

Marketings and calf crops are the two chief factors of decrease and in-
crease operating to change inventory numbers of cattle. Estimates of calf
crop are made annually on basis of a large number of reports from cattlemen,
which are used to estimate the calf crop on the basis of January 1st numbers
of breeding cows. Marketings records are actual computations from railroad
shipments, stockyard receipts and brand inspections records. Other factors of
increase and decrease include imports of cattle and calves from actual records;
losses from disease and exposure which have been estimated from the actual
experience of representative owners; and farm and local slaughter, based on
actual data in census years and a fairly constant factor. In the aggregate, the
last three factors are of much less importance than the first two.

The Livestock Commission of Montana through its system of brand in-
spection secures an accurate check upon all cattle shipped out of the state. The
following table, taken from the secretary's report for 1921, shows the total
number of all cattle sent out each year since 1885:

CATTLE SHIPMENTS FROM MONTANA

(1885-1926)

Year Output Year Output . Year Output

1885 79,089 1899 203,499 1913 172,299

1886 119,620 1900 160,055 1914 158,623

1887 82,134 1901 151,986 1915 173,936

1888 167,602 1902 230,000 1916 227.828

1889 123,880 1903 210,573 1917 333,056

1890 174,035 1904 288,775 1918 406,415

1891 260,000 1905 267,966 1919 641,337

1892 203.000 1906 276,722 1920 211,242

1898 279,158 1907 214.642 1921 147.413

1894 302,655 1908 241,320 1922 246,378

1896 206,460 1909 255,178 1923 342,687

1896 254,864 1910 243,662 1924 320,644

1897 252,162 1911 205,873 1925 407,365

1898 232,225 1912 188.675 1926 504,472

In the graph on page 49 are shown yearly inventories by classes plus
the increase factors of calf crop and imports, and the yearly decrease factors,
or marketings, losses and local slaughter, for all cattle in Montana for the
period beginning January 1, 1920, to January 1, 1927. Marketings by classes
are shown as well as inventories by classes. Classification of the other increase
and decrease factors was estimated in the original data, but is not detailed
in the graph. The inventory as shown is computed from January 1st estimates
of classification of steers, cows, and bulls, all aged one year and over. The
January 1st number of calves, under one year, were distributed into the three
main classes of the inventories as shown in the graph. The trends of total
supply line, inventory line and marketing line are considered quite representative
of what has occurred in Montana's cattle industry during the period 1920
to 1927.

CATTLE AND CALVES— RECEIPTS AND SLAUGHTER, SIXTY-FOUR STOCKYARDS,
UNITED STATES. 1926 AND 1925

T ^«oi Stocker and fr^f„i

Cattle and Calves Receipts Girlf^KL^ Feeder ck: Ji!^.,+,

Slaughter Shipments Shipments

1925 24,066,684 14.462,034 3,822,859 9,348.049

1926 23.871.560 14.349,668 3,712.223 9.404.018

Per Cent Decrease 0.8% 0.8% 2.9% 0.4%

Calves alone show total receipts 1.6 per cent lower than in 1925 and local
slaughter of 6.5 per cent less. Stocker and feeder shipments of calves in
1926 were 11.5 per cent larger than in 1925.

Compared with the 1921-1925 (five year) average, 1926 receipts of cattle
and calves were 4.7 per cent larger; slaughter 10.6 per cent larger; stocker
and feeder shipments 10.4 per cent smaller and total shipments 3.0 per cent
smaller.

MONTANA DAIRY PRODUCTION

.^m

^''''1B^

N the monthly reports of a relatively large
number of farmers, showing total cows in
milk herd, number of cows milked and the
total production of milk on the last day of
each month, there is indicated for 1926, a
slight decrease in the total milk herd, that
has more than been offset by an increase
. in the percentage of the herd and a better
average production per cow and per herd.

MILK PRODUCTION STUDY

Regular crop reporters each month are
asked the following questions relative to
milk production on their farm on a specific
day: (A) Number of cows milked on your
farm yesterday. (B) Number of all milk
cows, dry or in milk, in your herd yester-
day. (C) Total production of milk by your
herd yesterday, either in pounds or gal-
lons.

While this monthly survey has been in operation but little over two years
and much of its value will lie in comparisons that will be built up as the
records increase, the results of the 1925 and 1926 reports will be of interest to
reporters cooperating in this study and are, therefore, summarized as tentative
figures, for such months as the data was found to be representative. It is expected
that the representativeness of the data will increase, since reporters have shown
considerable interest in this survey in numbers of returns made each month.

RESULTS OF MILK PRODUCTION STUDY

(Comparative Data for April to November, 1925-1926)

Reports Cows in Herd Cows Milked

1925 1926 1925 1926 1925 1926

April 263 294 1,903 2,356 1,050 1,392

May 298 221 2,439 1,862 1,471 1,186

June 250 271 1,829 2,267 1,183 1,473

July 257 265 2,221 2,014 1,541 1,413

August 300 225 2.303 2,013 1,540 1,391

September 250 269 1.943 2.002 1,168 1,399

October 269 270 2,110 1.891 1.281 1.167

November .., 252 332 1,962 1.687 1,049 1.020

Total 2.139 2.147 16,710 16,092 10,283 10.441

Average Per Herd....267.3 268.4 7.81 7.50 4.80 4.86

Average per day for cows milked, April to November

Produc

tion Lbs.

1925

1926

19.022

26,872

31,619

23,966

25.449

32,411

31.236

32.356

30,354

28.401

20,583

26.938

21,561

21,506

18,809

15,995

198,532

208,445

92.81

97.08

19.30

19.96

MILK COWS IN MONTANA

Of the total of 1,190,000 all cattle in Montana on January 1, 1927, the
number of milk cattle is placed by estimates of the Federal Crop Reporting
Service at 233,000 head. Of this number 188,000 are milk cows and heifers
aged two years and over, and 35,000 are heifer calves intended primarily for
milk. Estimates of milk cows include both dairy cows and cows of beef type
kept primarily for milk purposes.

TREND OF MILK COWS SINCE 1920

Since 1920 the trend of milk cow numbers has been upward, although in
the past year there has been some small contraction in total numbers as the
result of a dry season and heavy marketings which apparently have included
some milk cows of beef type.

(See table, page 46.)
— «l—

MANUFACTURED DAIRY PRODUCTS

Manufactured dairy products in Montana in 1926 show a fair sized increase
compared with 1925. All of Montana's dairy production is not manufactured
within the state and records of the past few years indicate that state cream-
eries are annually increasing their patronage from Montana dairymen. For this
reason the annual increase in manufactured dairy products does not coincide
exactly with the yearly changes in dairy production on farms.

The report of the State Dairy Commissioner for 1926 gives the following
statistics relative to manufacture of dairy products by quarters for the year
1926 and 1925.

ESTIMATES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1926

Total production of Montana dairies * in 1926 as estimated jointly by the
State-Federal Crop Reporting Service and the office of the Dairy Commissioner
was the equivalent of 22,375,000 pounds of butter-fat; compared with the total
of 21,628,000 pounds equivalent in 1925 and 20,784,000 pounds equivalent in 1924.
Value of this dairy production for 1926 is placed at $10,028,000; compared with
$8,603,000 in 1925 and $7,282,000 in 1924.

ESTIMATED PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF MONTANA DAIRY INDUSTRY
TERMS OF WHOLE MILK

(Production based on 1925 census — Distribution on 1925 census basis manufactured products in all

years on basis of records of creamery manufacture from Stat© Dairy Division.)

1924 1925 1926

Number milk cows December 31st 174,000 192,000 188,000

Number cows milked during year 167,967 176.300 180,000

Production per cow (gals.) 436 433 438

Total production, gallons 73,233,612 76,208,000 78,840,000

Total production, pounds 629,809,063 655,388,800 678,024,000

MILK USED ON FARMS (Lbs.)

For making butter 131,308,200 131,400,000 131,500,000

As fluid milk 85,835,173 86,100,000 86,400,000

MILK SOLD OFF FARMS (Lbs.) 412,665,690 437,888,800 460,124,000

Butter fat basis 299,564,800 317,924,800 336,900,000

Cream basis 61,847,870 65,480,000 67,120,000

Whole milk 51,253,020 54,484,000 56,104.000

EQUIVALENT WHOLE MILK MANUFACTURED

IN STATE (Lbs.) 356,157,950 378,342,170 414,262,372

As Butter 343,731,800 358,941,900 393,416,703

As Cheese 8,193,550 13,891,770 15,803,603

As Ice Cream 4,232,600 5,708,500 5,042,066

Apparent export from state by farmers, pounds equiv. 56,507,740 59,546,630 45,861,628
Average Number in Milk Herd

1926 Per Cent of 1925 „ 96.0 per cent

Average Number Milked

1926 Per Cent of 1925 , 101.2 per cent

Average Production Per Herd

1926 Per Cent of 1925 104.6 per cent

MANUFACTURED DAIRY PRODUCTS— MONTANA

(From Reports of the State Dairy Division.)

1924 1925 1926

Butter Pounds 14,178,938 14,807,836 16,230,062

Cheese Pounds 934,065 1,561,027 1,810,653

Ice Cream Gallons 564,676 761,638 672,724

SHIPMENTS OF MONTANA BUTTER TO CALIFORNIA MARKETS
(Pounds)

Market 1924 1925 1926

Los Angeles ^ 1,934,838

San Francisco 770,000 1,896,000 2,331,098

Total 4,266,936

COMPARISON MONTANA WITH OREGON AND WASHINGTON SHIPMENTS

TO SAN FRANCISCO MARKETS

(Batter— Pounds)

State 1924 1925 1926

MONTANA 770,000 1,896,000 2,831,098

Oregon _ 948,000 1,195.000 2,306,803

Washington 606,000 496,000 826,946

Total— Three States 2,824.000 8,687,000 4,964,84«

SHEEP

0

0m

NE of the oldest as well as one of the most
important enterprises in world agriculture
is sheep raising. Wool ranking next to
cotton among the fibers has probably con-
tributed even more than cotton to the com-
fort of man in the spread of civilization.
Present world consumption of wool is about
2 pounds per capita and of the United
States, one of the world's largest consum-
ers of wool, per capita requirement is about
5 pounds.

Lamb and mutton likewise have been im-
portant items of food for man. During
the period 1912-1921 average annual per
capita consumption of lamb and mutton in
the United States was 6.2 pounds. Canada
in 1910 averaged 9 pounds. Great Britain
from 1895 to 1908 averaged 26.7 pounds;
France in 1904 consumed 9 pounds, and
Germany from 1904 to 1913 averaged only
2.2 pounds. There is, therefore, a wide
^ variation in consumption of these meats.

At one time sheep were raised primarily for wool in the surplus producing
regions that were usually remote from civilization and afforded low production
costs against which wool, as a concentrated product could be readily transported
long distances, without spoilage and at low cost.

The pioneer phase of the industry is passing, especially in the United
States, where wool alone at present prices would not support the industry even
under the most favorable conditions. In its present status, the sheep industry,
in the principal surplus producing regions of the United States, is largely on
a crop basis, which is to say, its surplus is marketed largely as wool clip and
lamb crop. As between these two items, the lamb crop has come to be the more
important source of income to the industry.

THE SHEEP INDUSTRY IN MONTANA

Montana is now in the second expansion period of her sheep industry. The
first expansion period, or pioneer phase saw a rapid and substantial develop-
ment of total numbers from less than half a million head in 1880 to more than
six million head between 1900 and 1906. Numbers were fairly well held until
1910 and the next decade witnessed a sharp, steady decline until a low point
of close to two million head was reached by 1920. From 1920 to 1926 numbers
steadily increased until 2,880,000 head were inventoried as of date January 1,

1926. Heavy marketings during 1926 have reduced inventories on January 1,

1927, to 2,736,000 head. However, the latest inventory indicates an increase
in both young ewes (2 to 5 years) and in yearling ewes, compared with last
year which means that 1926 marketings have not been at the expense of
breeding power.

SHEEP NUMBERS IN UNITED STATES

For the United States as a whole, trend of sheep numbers has been irregu-
larly downward from 1900 to 1920 with the low point of this swing reached
shortly after 1920 and some recovery made between then and 1925. During the
past three years numbers have steadily increased from 38,112,000 on January 1,
1925 to 39,864,000 a year later and 41,909,000 on January 1, 1927. In eleven
principal western states, including Montana, numbers have increased from 22,-
123,000 on January 1, 1925 to 23,577,000 on January 1, 1927.

Note: See page 46, Montana Sheep Numbers, 1870 to 1927.

SHEEP NUMBERS IN IMPORTANT COUNTRIES

In" Australia the 1925 sheep population had risen to slightly above the
ninety million mark from a point slightly below the eighty million mark in 1920.

In New South Wales there has been a sharp increase from about thirty
million head in 1920 to a little more than forty million head by 1925.

In New Zealand there has been little net change from a number close to
twenty-four million head in 1920, while the United Kingdom shows a slight loss
from the 1920 number of about twenty-five million head.

In these important countries the net 1920-1925 change has been that of an
increase of more than five per cent.

RECENT TREND IN NUMBERS, WORLD

Estimates for thirteen important countries in 1926 show a total of 239,-
929,000 head or three per cent increase over 1925 and brings the number in these
countries practically back to the pre-war level. These countries represent over
one-third of the total world numbers in pre-war times and a relatively large
percentage of the numbers in export producing countries. Still further increases
are indicated for 1927 notably in Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand,
United States and probably the Union of South Africa. In Australia the 1927
number according to Australian correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, may
reach one hundred million compared with ninety-seven million head in 1926 and
ninety-three and one-tenth million head in 1925.

WORLD WOOL PRODUCTION

World wool production for 1926 was placed at 3,024,500,000 pounds com-
pared with 2,998,160,000 pounds in 1925 and represents practically a return from
the post-war slump to the pre-war average. Seven countries producing the bulk
of the improved type of wool had 1,989,054,000 pounds in 1926 compared with
1,963,141,000 pounds in 1925.

WOOL PRODUCTION IN UNITED STATES

The 1926 preliminary estimate of wool production in the United States in
1926 was 269,054,000 pounds compared with 253,907,000 pounds in 1925; 242,-
405,000 pounds in 1924; 224,330000 pounds in 1923 and 1909-1913 average pro-
duction of 272,248,000 pounds.

WOOL PRODUCTION MONTANA

The 1926 wool clip was estimated at 23,672,000 pounds compared with 20,-
967,000 pounds in 1925; 19,314,000 pounds in 1924; 17,775,000 pounds in 1923
and the 1909-1913 average of 33,230,000 pounds.

1927 WOOL OUTLOOK

World wool production in 1926 was slightly larger than in 1925 and the
largest of the post-war period. London prices of wool are below those a year
ago, but at the opening of the year the market was firm and demand generally
good. Low southern hemisphere stocks at the beginning of the 1926-1927 shear-
ing season, together with prospects of improvement in industrial conditions in
the United Kingdom and a good demand from Germany are strengthening fac-
tors in the outlook for 1927.

1927 MUTTON OUTLOOK

Sheep and lamb slaughter in the United States has been gradually increas-
ing since 1922 and federal inspected slaughter for 1926, amounting to nearly
thirteen million head was eight per cent larger than in 1925 and the largest
since 1921.

Lambs on feed at the opening of the year were eight per cent less than
on January 1, 1926. Increased numbers in the corn belt were more than off-
set by decreases outside the corn belt especially in Colorado and western Ne-
braska feeding areas.

Consumptive demand for lamb continued strong through 1926, dressed lamb
prices decreasing no more than in proportion with the increased market sup-
plies. Allowing for the usual 1.5 per cent annual increase in demand due to-
population growth, the possible slight decline in business activity in 1927 is
not expected to lower 1927 demand compared with 1926.

A recovery from the relatively low present (January 1927) prices of lambs
is expected by spring as the decreased supplies of fed lambs become a market
factor. The second half of the 1927 marketing season will reflect the size

of the 1927 lamb crop and attitude of breeders with respect to holding back
ewe lambs. If an average percentage of lambing occurs in 1927 and fewer ewe
lambs are held back, as would appear likely from present indications, market
supplies of the second half of 1927 may be somewhat larger than during this
period in 1926.

CYCLES OF THE SHEEP INDUSTRY

The history of the sheep industry is made up of periods of prosperity fol-
lowed by periods of extreme depression. War has always played a prominent
part in these cycles by creating an abnormal demand for wool to which sheep-
men have always responded to the limit of their resources. His profits in war
times have been followed by losses when wars terminated. No instance re-
corded in recent centuries has not found the sheep industry at the conclusion of
a war vastly over-expanded compared with the peace time need. Aggravating
this situation there is always an accumulation in war times of world stocks of
both raw and manufactured wools.

FACTORS AFFECTING PRICE CHANGES

The wool grower is affected by peace time factors which operate to change
prices of sheep and lambs and wool setting up short annual variations with
consequent expansion and contraction of the sheep industry. These factors con-
sidered under two heads, sheep and lamb prices, and wool prices may be sum-
marized as follows:

MARKET PRICES OF SHEEP AND LAMBS

Market supplies, consumptive demand, grade or quality of the animal and
the price of wool are the principal factors determining the price of sheep and
lambs.

Supplies of sheep and lambs at market centers vary widely from year to
year and with the season of the year. An eighth of the annual receipts arrive
in two months September and October, one tenth in August and November and
only about one fifteenth in the other eight months. Under war conditions dur-
ing the period 1915 to 1923 there has been as high as 48 per cent variation in
yearly receipts from the lowest to the highest year in this period. Between
1926 and 1925 receipts there was a variation of 8 per cent.

Consumption likewise varies from year to year- Between 1907 and 1923
per capita consumption ranged from 4.6 pounds in 1917 to 8.2 pounds in 1912,
an extreme variation of 3.6 pounds or 74 per cent of the 1917 consumption.
Since the American sheep producer is dependent upon a domestic consumption
market such a variation is an important consideration. Although less in num-
ber of pounds per year compared with other meats, the variation in per capita
consumption of lamb and mutton is relatively greater.

ANNUAL PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF

LAMB AND MUTTON,

BEEF,

VEAL,

PORK,

AND LAMB

, 1907-1923

Year

Lamb
and

Beef

Veal

Pork,
Exclud-

Lard

Year

Lamb
and

Beef

Veal

Pork,
Exclud-
ing
Lard

Lard

Mutton

Lard

MuWwn

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

Lbs.

1907

6.4

79.7

7.1

74.1

12.5

1916

6.1

57.3

5.3

73.1

14.4

1908

6.2

72.4

6.8

85.4

14.3

1917

4.6

61.1

6.5

58.5

11.9

1909

6.6

76.2

7.5

68.6

11.6

1918

4.7

65.2

7.4

67.6

13.6

1910

6.5

71.8

7.4

60.3

10.5

1919

5.S

58.0

7.7

68.6

12.8

1911

7.8

68.4

7.0

75.1

11.8

1920

5.5

61.2

7.9

69.0

13.1

1912

8.2

61.7

7.0

70.6

11.4

1921

5.9

57.2

7.0

72.9

11.3

1913

7.6

60.8

5.0

72.5

11.7

1922

5.0

60.8

7.3

75.7

14.3

1914

7.5

59.3

4.4

70.3

12.1

1923

5.2

61.9

7.9

86.1

15.4

1915

6.4

56.0

4.3

70.2

13.2

1924

5.3

62.4

8.3

86.3

15.6

1925

5.3

63.1

8.8

77.1

13.4

Grades of sheep and lambs for slaughter are determined by quality, con-
formation and finish for any given lot. Lambs, accordingly are graded as prime,
choice, good, medium, common and cull and inferior in order named; wethers,
prime to cull, and ewes, choice to canner. Variations in prices quoted on these
grades vary according to both grade, and demand for that grade.

Wool prices is a third factor entering into determination of sheep and lamb
prices and is the source of more complications than any other single item. This
is due both to the wide variation in wool prices and the amount of wool car-

—55—

ried by the animal in different seasons of the year. With variations both in
the monthly price of wool and the amount carried by the animal, prices will
vary accordingly.

LONG TIME VARIATION IN SHEEP AND LAMB PRICES

Sheep and lamb prices over a long period of time show a greater sensitive-
ness to variations in business, trade and economic conditions than do most other
commodities. Between 1890 and 1923, the average yearly price of lambs at
Chicago ranged from $2.80 per 100 in 1924 to $16.60 per 100 pounds in 1918.
Compared with general commodity prices which did not reach bottom in this
cycle until 1996 and the peak in 1920, sheep prices show a tendency to antici-
pate rather than follow fluctuations in general trade conditions.

MARKET PRICES OF WOOL

Fluctuations in wool prices while not so wide as those of mutton and lamb
have swung more widely than most other commodities in past years. One
reason has been the effect of world supply and demand and another has been
the long series of tariff enactments, raising or lowering or eliminating import
duties on wool from 1816 to 1922, when twenty-two legislative enactments have
tended to modify the play of economic forces, and have resulted in materially
changing the available supplies of wool in the United States and, therefore, in
raising or lowering wool prices.

Average prices of medium grade wool over a period of 100 years range
from 19.5 cents per pound in eastern markets for Ohio fleece wool in 1896
to 91.5 cents for the same grade in 1918, an extreme range of 72 cents or 469
per cent.

War invariably has stimulated the demand for wool and advanced wool prices.
During the Civil war, wool sold up to $1.00 per pound- In 1867 the market
broke sharply, but during 1871 and 1872 prices again rose to relatively high
levels, with the Franco-Prussian war in Europe being an important factor. In
1873 a business panic occurred and from that time to 1879 wool prices declined
steadily. Revival of business occurred in 1879 and wool prices . responded tem-
porarily, but on the whole declined after 1880. Increased wool production in the
southern hemisphere during this time began to press world markets and by
the middle eighties there was a pronounced decline in wool prices with the
panic of 1893 hastening this downward movement. The average prices of 1901
to 1910 were lower than the average of 1840 to 1890 if the Civil war be ex-
cluded. In 1913 the trend of wool prices was again downward.

During the World war prices of wool broke all previous records with fine

30 YEARS OF LAMB PRICES AT CHICAGO

(Solid .Line Price per 100 Lbs.)

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staple territory wool on a scoured basis selling at one time for $1.85 per
pound in Boston. On signing the Armistice prices broke but with the re-
opening of the London wool sales in April, 1919, recovered quickly and during
February and March, 1920, prices made a new advance to $2.05 per pound.

The average price of three-eights blood, unwashed Ohio and Pennsylvania
wool for 1921 averaged 28 cents at Boston compared with 53 cents in 1920, 67
cents in 1919, and 77 cents in 1918. In 1922 prices averaged 10 cents over 1921
and in 1923, 27 cents over 1921 with improvement through 1924 and 1925, since
which time there has been a downward tendency.

MONTANA WOOL PRODUCTION

(1S80-1925)

Year Production

(Pounds)
1880 1,000,000

1886 5,031,000

1887 5,283,000

1888 Unknown

1889 9,740,000

1890 13,929,000

1891 14,471,000

1892 15,670,000

1893 17,697,000

1894 17,642,000

1895 19,032,000

1896 21,530,000

1897 . 20,110,000

1898 20,935,000

1899 80,438.000

1900 26,020,000

1901 30,554,000

1902 35,567,000

1903 30,600,000

1904 37,773,000

1905 '. 37,700,000

Year Production

(Pounds)

1906 35,815,000

1907 30,820,000

1908 32,200,000

1909 35,000,000

1910 33,600,000

1911 34,875,000

1912 31,175,000

1913 31,500,000

1914 30,177,000

1915 26,950,000

1916 24,570,000

1917 23,342,000

1918 18,685,000

1 919 18,267,000

1920 16,000,000

1921 16,400,000

1922 16,770,000

1923 17,775,000

1924 19,314,000

1924 20.967,000

1926 23,672,000

-57—

HORSES

E VIE WING briefly the horse industry in
Montana takes us back to the days of the
open range and the importation of breed-
ing stock from the old famous Spanish
horses of the Southwest. The horses bred
to serve the needs of the cattle industry
were, therefore, of good ancestry and under
Montana conditions developed a high qual-
ity of spirit and stamina.

The Boer war, however, marked the
beginning of the industry of horse breed-
ing and developed Miles City as one of the
World's largest horse markets to which
came buyers from all nations of the world.
With the demand for horses during the
World war, the industry expanded greatly
with the 1912 horse population more than doubling by 1919 when a total of
720,000 head were enumerated by the United States census.

After the World war the market for horses practically ceased and num-
bers have rapidly declined to a total of 564,000 head on January 1, 1927. Mean-
while there has been an accumulation of unowned horses on many of the open
ranges of the state, that has given rise to the slaughter and shipment of these
animals to eastern canning factories, after they had been declared a nuisance
by the stockmen.

No definite statistics are available as to the i)ercentage of the state's an-
nual shipments that ultimately reach the canning factory, although some idea
of the size of this item is afforded by the shipment to Butte during 1926 of
7,677 head, the great bulk of which were for the horse abbatoir.

Exclusive of this item 56,493 head were shipped to points outside the state
in 1926 and a total of 54,272 were shipped in 1925.

Montana still has a surplus of serviceable horses, exclusive of the unowned
range horses.

At present there is no incentive for breeding other than the ijeplacement
of work stock.

MULES

The general tendency of numbers of mules has been upwards although the
state total is very small and mules have as yet found but very little place on
Montana farms. The January 1, 1927, number of mules and mule colts was
placed at 11,000 head compared with 9,000 head enumerated by the census of
1920.

SWINE

Raising hogs in Montana has been mainly a side line, but the industry has
been on the upgrade during the past twenty years which have witnessed two
peaks in production, one from 1915 to 1917 when a total of 270,000 head were
inventoried in January, 1916, and the other from 1923 to 1925 when the Jan-
uary inventory reached 292,000 head in 1924.

The unfavorable corn crops of 1924, 1925 and 1926 have undoubtedly op-
erated to curtail the last expansion period and the dry seasons of 1917, 1918
and 1919 were very likely the biggest factor in the reaction from the first big
expansion movement.

Growing population in the Northwest and the Pacific coast markets have
been a factor in Montana's hog production, combined with the development of
corn acreage in the state during the past ten years, when from about 50,000
acres, in 1914, corn acreage developed to 420,000 acres in 1924.

Note: For Horse and Swine numbers 1870 to 1927, see page 46.

--58—

With the experience with corn in average years and the possibility of better
utilization of such other feeds as barley and alfalfa, it is expected that hog
production in Montana will continue its present general upward trend.

The peak of hog shipments from the state was reached in 1925 when a
total of 225,000 were marketed at outside points. In 1926 shipments totaled
166,000 head. To date the large bulk of Montana's hog shipments have con-
tinued to west coast markets. During the period 1920 to 1925 both the north
and south Pacific states have shown a rather strong decline in hog production
compared with that of the period 1915 to 1920, while the Mountain states, in-
cluding Montana, have greatly increased production during 1920 to 1925 com-
pared with 1915 to 1920. Trends of production in the coast regions, therefore,
will be an important factor in the coast market outlets for Montana hogs.

HOG OUTLOOK FOR 1927

Little if any increase in hog production in the important corn belt region
in 1927 is indicated by the annual December pig survey of the U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture. Relatively slight changes are anticipated in consumptive
demand for pork both domestic and foreign. Market supplies in 1927, since it
is not likely that cholera losses in 1927 will equal the heavy 1926 losses, promise
to be slightly larger than in 1926. Hog prices are expected to continue on com-
parable levels with 1926 through the first half of 1927, but, with a probable
slight increase in later supplies, are expected to range slightly below the favora-
ble 1926 levels during the latter part of 1927.

In the Pacific coast states of Washington, Oregon and California, the pig
crop survey show 1926 fall breeding for 1927 spring pigs as follows: Washing-
ton, 25.8 per cent more sows bred compared with the fall of 1925; Oregon, an
increase of 39.4 per cent, and California, an increase of 15.4 per cent.

Inter-mountain competitors of Montana on 1926 fall breedings compared
with the preceding year show the following comparisons: Idaho, 25.8 per
cent more sows bred; Wyoming, 32.2 per cent more sows bred; Colorado, 14.7
per cent more sows bred; Utah, 26.3 per cent more sows bred, and Nevada, 37.5
per cent more sows bred.

In considering the indications of the pig crop survey on sows bred for
spring pigs, it is well to note that for past surveys in years when increased
breeding was reported, that actual farrowings reported the following spring
have much below the intentions to breed reported in December. Another factor
in determining the spring pig crop will be the weather at time of farrowing
and the average size of the litters that are saved.

FROM MONTANA'S VIEWPOINT

The 1927 outlook for hog production in Montana is quite favorable. The
indications from the December pig survey pointed to an increase of 9.4 per
cent in numbers of sows bred for 1927 spring pigs, which if carried out will
increase hog production in Montana in 1927.

MONTANA HOG INDUSTRY, 1920-1927

1924 1925 1926 1927

January 1 Number 292,000 280,000 250,000 240,000

Total Year Supply 636,000 613.000 547,000

Exports 167,000 226,000 166,000

Losses 9,000 9,000 10,000

Local Slaughter 130,000 130,000 132,000

—89—

A

POULTRY

LTHOUGH there has been a decrease in
total numbers of farms the trend of poul-
try production in Montana has been up-
ward since 1920, indicating that poultry
raising has become a more important farm
enterprise relatively than it was in 1920.

An important phase of the industry in
the state is the production of turkeys for
outside markets. Unfortunately, so far
little reliable information is available con-
cerning the numbers and annual value of
the turkey crop. An effort is being made
now to gather marketing statistics on this
item.

A summary of the poultry statistics of
numbers since 1880 is as follows:

POULTRY ON FARMS AND EGG PRODUCTION

(Data from Federal Census.)

^ Chickens Other Fowls t> ^^P a

Year On Farms On Farms f-^-|^

1880 58,244 2,160 208,794

1890 233,660 9,992 834,166

1900 531,660 24,900 3,002,890

1910 966.690 44,150 6,004.051

1920 2.055,120 72,734 11,858,042

1925 2,544,698 (140,000)* 13,403,266

♦Census did not enumerate other poultry in 1924. Figure used here is an estimate and rela-
tively large increase compared with 1920 is due to development of turkey industry in this period.

CHICKENS RAISED. EGGS PRODUCED AND VALUES

(Data from Census.)
CHICKENS EGGS (Dozens)

No. Raised Value Produced Value

1909 1,432.471 $ 797,450 6,004,051 $1,610,766

1919 3,247.090 2.272.963 11.858,042 4,624,636

1924 3,067,280 1,881,254 13,403,326 3,493,476

ESTIMATED SALES OF POULTRY AND PRODUCTS

From Chickens

and Eggs Turkeys

1924 - $2,926,000 $718,000

1925 3,240,000 819,000

1926 3.360,000 861,000

Total Value

$2,408,216

6,897,599

5,374,730

Total
$3,644,000
4,059,000
4.221,000

EGG PRODUCTION STUDY 1926-1925

A study of egg production is made through monthly inquiries to reporters
of the United States Division of Crop and Livestock Estimates. The following
questions are asked: (A) Number of hens, including pullets of laying age,
were in your flock yesterday. (B) Number of eggs produced by your flock yes-
terday. Results of this survey for both 1926 and 1925 are given here for the
information of the reporters cooperating. Much of the value of such surveys
will arise from comparison with past years and will develop with length of
records.

RESULTS OF 1926 EGG PRODUCTION AND 1925 COMPARISONS

No. of Farms

1926 1925

January 477 495

April 324 282

June 285 271

May 220 333

July 280 276

August 222 300

September 245 262

October 275 278

November 229 262

December 360 311

Average

Ten Months 291.7 307.0

*Number of hens and pullets

No.

Hens and Pullets
in Flock*

No. Eggs
Produced

1926

1925

1926

1925

Per Cent
Whole Flock

Producing
1926 1925

33,565

27,105

5,768

3.110

17.2

11.5

20,555

18,243

11.717

7,283

57.0

39.9

15,646

16,405

7,998

8^875

51.1

53.7

15,281

23,569

9,140

13,090

59.8

58.0

15,079

16,480

6,642

7,532

44.0

45.7

11,004

16,036

4,374

6,248

39.8

38.9

12,622

11,645

5,180

4^532

41.0

38.9

15,987

15,710

4,257

4,709

26.6

29.9

12,750

14,580

2,275

1,956

17.8

13.4

21,624

19,348

2,307

1,865

10.6

9.6

17411.3 17912.1

in flock of laying age on

5965.8 5920.0 34.3

5t day of month preceding.

33.1

BEES AND HONEY IN MONTANA

(Bees on farms, honey and wax produced, with value from U. S. Census
Bureau.)

Year bees

No. of No. of

Farms Hives

1909 795 6.313

1919 1,199 11,918

1926 (Est.)* 1,800 37,000

•*lstimates based on records of state bee
or something less than 1300 farms.

HONEY
Pounds Value

Produced $

WAX
Pounds Value

Produced $

135,510 21,802 394 133

630,608 157,656 7.682 2,614

3,150,000 521,000 23,000 9,000

inspector which show 19,202 colonies licensed in 1926

The above table indicates the growth of the honey bee industry in Montana
up to 1919. However, since that time there has been no enumeration of the in-
dustry although it is evident that a marked increase in honey production and
bee-keeping has taken place during the past three or four years. In 1925 the
State Bee Inspector estimated that approximately 100 carloads of honey were
produced in Montana, the value being placed at about $500,000. The 1926 honey
crop is valued at $530,000 an increase of $30,000 over 1925.

The bee-keeping industry is found largely in the irrigated sections of the
state where large acreages are devoted to the production of alfalfa, sweet
and Alsike clover. These three crops are important honey pasture and the
main source of supply for the surplus honey produced by the bees. Climatic
conditions are unexcelled for the industry and Montana is rapidly reaching the
point where it promises to rank high as a honey producing state.

The natural advantages found in Montana, however, have in the past few
years been seriously offset by diseases which destroy the colonies, and that have
been spread greatly by the large number of negligent bee keepers. The State
Legislature has enacted several laws relative to disease eradication and inspec-
tion of apiaries. In 1925 and 1926 over 2100 colonies were inspected out of
which nearly 800 were found to be affected.

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DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK
BASIC STATISTICS

Prepared by Mildred R. Cossey,

Assistant to Agricultural Statistician.

CKOP DISTRICT I

In the northwestern corner of the state
we find four counties, Flathead, Lincoln,
Lake and Sanders grouped together to form
Crop District No. One, which in 1924 had
2 per cent of the state total land in farms.
All of this state's principal field crops
are found in this district, but only in Bar-
ley and Potatoes does it assume import-
ance, having 12 and 16 per cent respect-
ively of the state's total production of
these crops and 18 per cent of the commer-
cial potato production of the state. In
other cropse its percentages of the total
state production are as follows : Spring
wheat, 2 per cent ; Winter wheat, 6 per
cent; Rye, 1 per cent; Oats, 4 per cent;
Corn, 1 per cent; All Tame Hay, 5 per
cent; "Wild Hay, 2 per cent; Timothy Hay,
8 per cent ; Alfalfa Hay, 5 per cent ; and
Clover Hay, 19 per cent. During the past
three years Seed Pea^ have come to be an
important enterprise in thi< area and now
approximately 9 per cent of the state pro-
duction originates here. About 2 per cent
of the total state production of Alfalfa
Seed is found in District Onp, and 10 per
cent of the truck crops raised in the state
come from this section.
In fruit production the Flathead Valley stands second to the Bitter Root Valley in District Pour.
District One has about 12 per cent of the state's total number of bearing apple trees and about 10
per cent of the commercial apple trees in the state. Small production of plums, early apples, ber-
ries and sweet cherries is also found in this valley.

In livestock production this district has the following percentages of the state';; total livestock:
Horses, 3 per cent; Dairy Cows, 11 per cent; Beef Cows, 2 per cent; All Cattle, 3 per cent; Sheep,
1 per cent; Swine, 4 per cent; and Poultry, 7 per cent.

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICE ONE

VALUE OF VALUE OF

CROPS PRODUCED CROPS SOLD

1925 $4,771,500 $2,508,000

1926 4,057,360 2,193.000

—63—

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

DISTRICT TWO— NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA

In Crop District Two there are a little
over 13.7 million acres of land. The dis-
trict is composed of Blaine, Chouteau, Gla-
cier, Hill, Liberty. Pondera. Teton and
Toole covmties. In. 1924 this district was
^ credited with 18 per cent of the tstate's

total land in farms.

Practically all the principal field crops
grown in the state are found in this dis-
trict which assumes importance in both
Rye and Spring wheat. Acreage devoted
to Rye in this district in 1824 was 39 per
cent of the state total, while Spring wheat
took second place with 21 per cent. Grain
Hay also has an important place in the
cropped acreage, with 20 per cent of the
state total. In other crop percentages of
the state total production are as follows :
Winter wheat, 11 per cent; Barley, 14 per
cent; Oats, 11 per cent; Flax, 3 per cent;
Com, 8 per cent ; Potatoes, 14 per cent,
with 3 per cent of the total commercial
potato acreage ; Tame Hay, 6 per cent :
Wild Hay, 12 per cent; Timothy Hay, 4 per
cent; Clover Hay, 6 per cent; Mixed Timo-
thy and Clover Hay, 2 per cent; Alfalfa
Hay, 7 per cent. Approximately 14 per

cent of the truck crops originate in District Two and about 3 per cent of the bean production of the

state is credited to this area.

North central Montana has the following percentages of the state total livestock production :

Milk Cows, 18 per cent; Beef Cattle. 11 per cent; All Cattle, 13 per cent; Horses, 17 per cent;

Sheep, 16 per cent; Swine, 9 per cent; and Poultry, 14 per cent.

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1925
1925

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT TWO

VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

$17,585,700

19,075,000

VALUE OF

CROPS SOLD

$ 9.225.000

10,308,000

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

CROP DISTRICT THREE— NORTHEASTERN MONTANA

We find in the northeastern corner of
Montana a group of five counties which go

to make up what is known as Crop District

Three. These counties are Daniels, Phillips,
Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley, and in
1924 this area was credited with 12 per
cent of the state's total land in farms.

In this district most of Montana's? field
crops are to be found, but by ^ar the most
important are Flax, with 28 per cent of the
state production, and Spring wheat with
28 per cent of the state total. Rye and
Oats are also important, having 24 and 23
per cent of the state total respectively. In
other crops District Three has the follow-
ing percentages of the state total : Com.
20 per cent ; Winter wheat. 2 per cent :
Barley, 9 per cent ; Potatoes, 6 per cent ;

Tame Hay, 5 per cent ; Wild Hay, 13 per cent ; Alfalfa Seed, 13 per cent ; Sugar Beets, 3 per cent ;

Beans 4 per cent; Clover Hay, 8 per cent: Alfalfa Hay, 3 per cent; Grain Hay, 10 per cent. Only

5 per cent of the total truck crop production of the state originates in this district.

In livestock production this district has the following percentages of the state total: Milk

Cows, 12 per cent; Beef Cows. 9 per cent; All Cattle, 10 per cent; Horses, 16 per cent; SIheep,

7 per cent ; Swine, 10 per cent ; Poultry, 10 per cent.

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT THREE

VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

VALUE OF
CROPS SOLD

1926 ..
1926 ..

$16,851,075

18.167,120

$ 8,840,000
9,187.000

—54-

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

CROP DISTRICT FOUR— W£ST CENTRAL MONTANA

In Crop District Four in west central
Montana are Deer Lodge, Granite, Mineral,
Missoula, Powell and Ravalli counties, and
in 1924 took credit for 4 per cent of the
state's total land in farms.

Percentages of field crops in this dis-
trict are relatively small ; the most import-
ant being found in the hay group. Mixed
Clover and Timothy Hay having 41 per
cent of the total state production. Next in
importance is the Commercial Potato crop
with 38 per cent of the state total produc-
tion, although we find District Four is
credited with but 15 per cent of the state's
total potato acreage. In other crops its
per centages of the state's total are as fol-
lows : Spring wheat, 2 per cent ; Winter
wheat, 2 per cent ; Rye, 2 per cent ; Barley,
6 per cent ; Oats, 5 per cent ; Tame Hay,
12 per cent; "Wild Hay, 6 per cent; Timo-
thy Hay, 9 per cent; Clover Hay, 6 per
cent; Alfalfa Hay, 7 per cent; Grain Hay,
3 per cent. As is the case in District One,
we find the Seed Pea industry assuming
importance in the fourth district, with 10
per cent of the total state production to its
credit. About 24 per cent of the state's
total truck crop production originates in
this district.
In fruit production the west central district takes credit for the bulk of the bearing apple trees
in the state, having 79 per cent of the total and about 86 per cent of the commercial apple trees
of bearing age in the state. Small fruits, early apples and plums are raised in the Bitter Root
Valley and in recent years the cherry crop has become an important fruit here. It is estimated
that District Four had an income of about $67,000 in 1926 from its miscellaneous fruit crops.

In livestock production this district has the following percentages of the state total : Horses,
5 per cent ; Dairy Cows, 16 per cent ; Beef Cows, 6 per cent ; All Cattle, 5 per cent ; Sheep, 7 per
cent; Swine, 11 per cent; and Poultry, 6 per cent.

1925
1926

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT FOUR

VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

$5,864,500

5,491,500

VALUE OF

CROPS SOLD

$3,077,000

2,968,000

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

CROP DISTRICT FIVE— CENTRAL MONTANA

Out of eleven counties in central Mon-
tana, Broadwater, Cascade, Fergus, Golden
Valley, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis and
Clark, Meagher, Musselshell, Petroleum and
Wheatland, is formed Crop District F^ve,
which in 1924 had 20 per cent of the total
cropped acreage of the state — the leading
district in size and land in farms.

All of the state's principal field crops

are found in District Five ; most important

is the Tame Hay group in which Timothy

leads with 49 per cent of the state total ;

next in rank is Winter wheat with 38 per

cent of the state total, closely followed by

Alfalfa Hay, with 23 per cent. Grain Hay

is also of considerable importance, having

21 per cent of the state total. The other

crops have percentages of the state total as

follows : Spring wheat, 18 per cent ; Rye,

8 per cent: Barley, 17 per cent; Oats, 14

per cent ; Flax, 1 per cent ; Corn, 12 per

cent; Potatoes, 18 per cent (This district

also takes credit for 19 per cent of the

total commercial potato production of the state) ; Wild Hay, 14 per cent; Alfalfa Seed, 1 per cent;

Beans, 4 per cent; Clover Hay, 17 per cent, and Mixed Clover and Timothy Hay. 12 per cent.

Since the seed pea industry has proven profitable in other sections of the state, farmers in central

Montana have gone into production and now have 7 per cent of the state total production. About

8 per cent of the total production of truck crops is credited to this district.

In fruit production District Five is low, having but 1 per cent of the state's number of bearing
apple trees. There are some small fruits grown in this section, although the acreages are negligi-
ble, being found mostly in small patches and home gardens.

In livestock production this district has the following percentages of the state total : Horses,
17; Dairy Cows, 19; Beef Cows, 21; All Cattle, 20; Sheep, 25; Swine, 20; and Poultry, 18 per cent.

1925
1926

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT FIVE

VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

$17,440,775

20,487.360

VALUE OF

CROPS SOLD

$ 9,149,000

11,071,000

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

CROP DISTRICT SIX— EAST CENTRAL MONTANA

Six counties in east central Montana
make up Crop District Six. and include
Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Rich-
land, and Wibaux, In 1924 this section
was credited with 11 per cent of the state'ti
total land in farms.

Most of the principal field crops grown
in the state are found in this district, al-
though flax with 43 per cent of the state
total production leads all other crops. Corn
falls into second rank with 28 per cent of
the total production. Percentages of other
crops are as follows : Spring wheat, 14
per cent ; Winter wheat, 5 per cent : Rye,
9 per cent ; Barley, 8 per cent ; Oats, 16
per cent : Potatoes, 8 per cent ; Tame Hay,
7 per cent; Wild Hay, 7 per cent; Alfalfa,
Seed, 17 per cent; Beans, 11 per cent;
Seed Peas, 1 per cent; Sugar Beets, 15 per
cent; Clover Hay, 14 per cent; Alfalfa
Hay, 4 per cent ; Grain Hay, 19 per cent.

About 9 per cent of the truck ci'ops produced in Montana originate in this district.

In livestock production this district has the following percentages : Horses, 18 ; Dairy Cows, 6 ;

Beef Cows, 11; All Cattle, 11; Sheep. 6; Swine, 14; and Poultry, 12 per cent.

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT SIX

VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

1926 $17,440,775

1926 20,487,360

VALUE OF

CROPS SOLD

$ 9.149,000

11,071,000

Horses, 5 :
per cent.

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

DISTRICT SEVEN— SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA

Crop District Seven, in southwestern
Montana, is composed of three counties,
Beaverhead, Madison and Silver Bow, and
has the smallest land area of the nine dis-
tricts found in the state. In 1924 this dis-
trict had 5 per cent of the state's total land
in farms.

Of the principal field crops found in
Montana the only one of importance in
this district is in the Hay group. Wild Hay
leads the entire state with 31 per cent of
the total production. The other crops show
the following percentages of the total pro-
duction : Spring wheat and Winter wheat
have 1 per cent each of the state total pro-
duction ; Rye, 2 per cent ; Barley, 3 per
cent ; Oats, 2 per cent ; Corn, 1 per cent ;
Potatoes, 5 per cent ; Tame Hay, 8 per
cent ; Timothy Hay, 8 per cent ; Clover and
Timothy Hay mixed, 11 per cent; Alfalfa
Hay, 10 per cent; Grain Hay, 2 per cent.
We find about 4 per cent of the total truck
crop production of the state originating in
District Seven ; and here also we find 5
per cent of the total Seed Pea production.

We find 1 per cent of the total number
of bearing apple trees in this district.

Livestock production in this district has
the following percentages of the state total :
10 ; Sheep, 12 ; Swine, 5 ; and Poultry, 18

Dairy Cows, 4; Beef Cows, 11; All Cattle,

1926
1926

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT SEVEN

VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

$5,679,100

4,746,400

VALUE OF

CROPS SOLD

$2,978,000

2.666.000

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

CROP DISTRICT EIGHT— SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA

liying in south central Montana, Car-
bon, Gallatin, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass
and Yellowstone counties comprise District
Eight. In 1924 this section had 11 per
cent of the state's total land in farms.

All of the principal crops grown in Mon-
tana are found in this district and it is
especially noticeable that it is here we find
the bulk of the cash crops of the state. In
the lead we find Seed Peas, with 68 per
cent of the state total ; next in order is the
Sugar Beet crop with 67 per cent of the
total production, then Beans with 62 per
cent, followed by Alfalfa Hay with 26 per
cent of the total production. The other
crops in order of percentage of state total
production are as follows : Winter wheat,
24 per cent; Clover Hay, 23 per cent;
Mixed Timothy and Clover Hay, 22 per
cent; Barley, 20 per cent; Oats, 15 per
cent; Potatoes, 12 per cent; Corn, 10 per
cent; Spring wheat, 8 per cent; Apples
and Grain Hay, each 7 per cent. Here is

also 6 per cent of the Alfalfa Seed production of the state. District Eight ranks second to the

Fourth District in truck crop production, having 21 per cent of the state total. Rye has 2 per cent;

Flax, 1 per cent; and Wild Hay, 3 per cent of the state total production.

In fruit production District Eight is credited with 3 per cent of the commercial apple trees in

the state and 7 per cent of the state total apple rees of bearing age.

In District Eight we find thei following percentages of the state total livestock : Horses, 19 ;

Dairy Cows, 18; Beef Cows, 10; All Cattle, 12; Sheep, 14; Swine, 19; and Poultry, 18 per cent of

the total.

1925
1926

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT EIGHT

VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

$20,010,925

20,441,720

VALUE OF

CROPS SOLD

$10,498,000

11,047,000

DISTRICT CROP AND LIVESTOCK STATISTICS IN BRIEF

DISTRICT NINE— SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA

Seven counties make up District Nine:
Big Horn, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder
River, Rosebud and Treasure, which in 1924
had 17 per cent of the state's total land
in farms.

All of the principal field crops grown in
Montana are found in this district, and as
was the case in District Eight we find here
that the principal crop is one of the im-
portant cash crops of the state. District
Nine is credited with the bulk of the state's
Alfalfa Seed production at 61 per cent
The other crops in order are Com, 20 per
cent; Edible Beans, 16 per cent; AlffJfa
Hay, 15 per cent; Flax, 13 per cent; Rye,
13 per cent; Wild Hay, 12 per cent; Bap-
ley, 11 per cent; Winter wheat, 11 per
cent ; Oats, 10 per cent ; Grain Hay, 10 per
cent; All Tame Hay, 10 per cent; Sugar
' Beets, 8 per cent; Potatoes, 6 per cent;

Spring wheat, 5 per cent; Clover Hay, 5
per cent. Here also we find 10 per cent of
the state's total truck crop production.
Very little fruit is grown in District Nine — some wild berries and plums are found along the

streams but cultivated fruits, apples, etc., are not raised to any extent.

In livestock production this district has the following percentages of the state total : Horses,

14 ; All Cattle, 16 ; Dairy Cows, 15 ; Beef Cows, 17 ; Sheep, 14 ; Swine, 14 ; and Poultry, 12 per cent.

VALUATION STATISTICS FOR DISTRICT NINE
VALUE OF
CROPS PRODUCED

1926 $10,208,325

1926 8,512,860

VALUE OF

CROPS SOLD

$ 6,355,000

4,600,000

—67-

INDEX

Page.
AGRICULTURE

General Review Montana Situation. 1920-1926 3-8

Financial condition of Montana agriculture 7

Montana situation at a glance 8

Necessity of adjustments in agriculture. Foreword -' 2

CROPS

Acreage changes in 1926 17

Apples 40

Alfalfa seed 42

Average yield per acre 17

Average value crops per acre 18

Average values of crop lands 4-5

Barley and production by counties 33

Beans and production by counties 43

Berries and small fruits v- 40

Corn and production by counties ™ 32

Crop summary, 1926 and 1925 16

Flax and production by counties 34

Hay and production by counties 38-39

Oats and production by counties 37

Peas and production by counties 41

Potatoes and production by counties 35

Production tonnage all crops 1926-1925-1924 16

Rye production by counties 36

Sugar Beets 44

Total farm value of crops and production estimates 18-19

Wheat— Feature article 21-31

County production winter wheat 22

County production spring wheat 23

County shipments all wheat 25

Grades of Montana wheat 24

Gluten content Montana wheat 24

Production trends of wheat 21

Production costs of wheat, Montana and other states 31

Precipitation, annual and seasonal (map) 28

Suitability of Montana climate for wheat 26-27

Weather and yield relationships 29-30

Yields per acre Montana wheat 25

FARMS

Changes in number 4

Farm income, 1926, 1925 and 1924 9-10

Farm implements, imports into state 6

Farm taxes 5

Farm wages ^ 6

LIVESTOCK

All livestock, 1870 to date (table) ^ 46

Beef cattle in Montana 45-48

Bees and honey „ ^ 61

Cattle marketings 49

Cycles of sheep industry ^ 65

Dairy development U. S „ 48

Dairy production in Montana 51-52

Hogs ^ 58-59

Horses 58

Per capita consumption of meats 66

Poultry „ 60

Prices, sheep, lambs and wool 56-57

Sheep industry in Montana and other important areas 53-54

MISCELLANEOUS

Basic statistics of Montana crop districts 62-68

Price movements, 1926 13-15

MONTANA STATE FAIR

SEPTEMBER 5, 6, 7,
8 AND 9

The Twenty-fifth Annual Montana State Fair will open on
Monday, September 5, and continue for five days, closing on
September 9, 1927.

This year's fair will be under the management of the Mon-
tana Department of Agriculture, Labor and Industry.

The first state fair financed by the commonwealth was
held in 1902. Since then the institution has grown to be one
of the largest in the northwest. A fair has been held contin-
uously since the first exposition.

The grounds are located about one mile northwest of the
city of Helena and were originally contributed to the state by
an enterprising group of capital city citizens. Since the acqui-
sition of the original grounds, the state has purchased approx-
imately 160 acres. Buildings and improvements are now val-
ued at approximately a quarter of a million dollars. The
buildings include a spacious grandstand, agricultural, horti-
cultural, livestock and exhibition buildings and a manufactur-
ers and automobile hall.

The premium lists for the 1927 fair are in the course of
preparation as this publication goes to press and copies may
be secured by writing to the Montana State Fair, Helena.

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