lilies' -^"^ U1 staCT?C1]men ev^eW s Montana State Library ^^, 1985 3 0864 1004 5705 3 FOREWORD Vrcccdhuj issues of the Farm Revieio have presented county estimates of Montana's crop and lircstocJ: production and value This volume will show only state estimates of such production, hut in all other respects will he found comparahle with precediny Reviews as a text hook show iny the yearly ayricultural progress of Montana and as a reference for those scekiny the statistics of the state's ayricultural resources. The omission of the county estimates from the volume was due to two considerations. First the necessity of holding the expense of the puhlication within the amount that is availahlc for such work. Second the fact that the federal decennial census is now col- lecting for the year li)2d complete county statistics on agriculture that will he availahle for our next issue of the Farm Review, The annual farm reviews are puhlished hy the Puhlicity Division of the Montana Department of Agriculture^ Lahor and Industry. Ko direct appropriation is made for this puhlication^ the expense for the past eight years heing allocated each year from the funds of the Puhlicity Division. The material presented in the Revieio is collected and tahulated hy the Montana State-Federal Crop Reporting Service ichich work is performed and financed very largely by the federal government. Upwards of 3,000 Mon- tana fanners and stockmen constitute the crop and livestock re- porters in this service and to them this puhlication is primarily indchted. Last year 12,000 copied of the Farm Review were dis- tributed to farmers, stockmen, agricultural workers, scJwols, hankers and business men as well as to many people outside of Montana, who were seeking reliable information concerning the state's agricultural resources and opportunities. The State Puhlicity Division and the State-Federal Crop Re- porting Service will welcome suggestions on the improvement of the Farm Review which will increase its usefulness and value to those whom it is designed to serve. A. H. STAFFORD Commissioner of Agriculture WARREN W. MOSES Chief, Publicity Division. MONTANA 19 2 9 FARM R E VIEW E D I T I O N By The State-Federal Crop Reporting Service JAY G. DIAMOND, Agricultural Statistician and ROBERT P. SHARPLES/ Agricultural Agent U- S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics N. A. OLSEN, Chief Co-operating with the Department of Agriculture, Labor and Industry Published by DIVISION OF PUBLICITY A. H. STAFFORD WARREN W. MOSES 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 V NUMBER I This Publication Is Issued and Circulated by Authority of the State of Montana JUNE, 1930 Published S'ix Times a Year State Capitol Building Corner, Sixth and Montana HELENA. MONTANA MONTANA AGRICULTURE IN 1929 GENERAL REVIEW The year 1929 was characterized by a summer drought that curtailed crop production generally and resulted in larger than normal marketings of livestock. Price movements during the year were likewise unfavorable to Montana pro- ducers in case of some major agricultural commodities including wool, lambs, cattle and dairy products. On the other hand, higher prices were received for most of the farm crops including the more important cash crops such as wheat, flaxseed, potatoes and apples. The two preceding seasons, being more favorable than average for pro- ducers of both crops and livestock, laid the foundation for increased acreage of crops planted in 1929 and plans of livestock producers to increase their holdings. The unfavorable climatic conditions during the growing season by reducing yields and in some cases by acreage abandonment lowered the harvested amounts of crops considerably below the levels of the preceding two years and somewhat below the average of the past five years. Likewise in case of livestock, larger marketings as a result of short feed sup- plies had at the close of 1929 reduced holdings of cattle, hogs and milk cows to the levels of a year ago, although sheep holdings were somewhat larger in spite of the increased 1929 marketings. Both the total value of crop production and cash returns from crops in 1929 were considerably below the high levels reached in 1927 and 1928, due principally to the reduced production. Some offset, however, occurred in the value of the larger marketings of livestock and livestock products with the result that the total in- come of Montana's agriculture in 1929 was finally indicated to be about 15 per cent lower than in 1928 and about 17 per cent lower than in 1927. THE 1929 GROWING SEASON Following a preceding fall season of below normal precipitation the 1929 growing season opened colder and drier than normal. April and May were un- seasonably cold and moderately below normal in precipitation. Farm work was retarded during this period although the weather was not particularly unfavor- able to calf and lamb crops, both of which were larger than in 1928. June was for most part a cool and relatively dry month with frosts and freezing temperatures prevailing well into the third week of the month. The low tempera- tures were damaging in places to susceptible vegetation and hindered germina- tion and early plant growth, but on the other hand helped conserve moisture supplies with the result that at the end of June a fairly favorable crop outlook had been established. Such a prospect was encouraged by fact that although June moisture came from showery weather, the showers were fairly general and the state average precipitation at the close of the month was only about half inch below the normal. A sudden shift to warm weather the last week of June brought about a decided improvement in the appearance of crops generally. July, which is the month in Montana that has buried many a fine crop pros- pect, opened hot and dry and the first week found the non-irrigated crops showing spotted damage. From the 6th to the 9th general light showers and lower tem- peratures promised relief, but with the recurrence of high temperatures on the 10th, crop damage again became apparent on a wide scale. July, 1929, developed into one of the three driest Julys in Montana weather records and although aver- aging but 2.2 degrees above normal in mean temperature for the entire month, a succssion of clear dry days from the 10th to the 17th and again from the 20th to the close of the month combined with short reserves of soil moisture caused a steady decline of spring sown crops and grass. August, apparently not satisfied with July's record, established one in turn of being the hottest August on record with a state mean temperature averaging 4.9 degrees above normal, or 1.3 degrees better than the previous record holder, which was August, 1898. Not to be outdone as to dryness, August. 1929, finished in second place as the driest month of that name since 1895 with August, 1897, leading by the small margin of 0.03 inch more moisture in the state average precipitation. Following the July heat and drought, August set out to complete the job by drying out pastures and ranges and water holes that furnish considerable stock water. In western Montana the worst forest fires since 1919 burned over an area estimated at 76,000 acres. September was a normal month in precipitation and cooler than normal in mean temperature. The first week in September terminated both the drought and heat which were rampant when August closed. Although showery weather pre- vailed through most of September it was not until the 20th that rainfall was heavy enough to interfere greatly with out-door farm work. By that date, due to the early start of the 1929 harvest, most of the small grain had been harvested and a considerable proportion threshed. Combines operating in the areas of low yields in northern, eastern and central Montana met with ideal conditions in latter August and early September, doing much to help shorten the 1929 harvest period. At the same time, through the combines, many fields of grain of low acre yield were secured where the acreage would have been abandond if dependent upon the binder. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 1929 GROWING SEASON More significant than the unfavorable climatic records that were equalled or exceeded by the 1929 growing season is the comparison that the final 1929 crop yields were not only better than expected but also appreciably better than those following similar seasons in the past. In this comparison it was found that the combined yield of 1929 crops as computed in October was 77.5 per cent of the 10-year average. Following similar damaging growing seasons the year and combined yields have been as follows: 1921, 82.6 per cent of average; 1919, 29.2 per cent of average; 1918, 80.5 per cent of average and 1917, 55.5 per cent of average. While two crop seasons are not found alike in enough respects to constitute a basis for measuring actually the improvement in yields that has taken place in Montana as a result of improved methods and farm practices, a comparison of final yields in 1929 and 1919 is justified as indicating at least the presence of this factor of improved methods. Montana's limiting factor in the production of non-irrigated crops is mois- ture. Temperature to a large extent has shown an inverse correlation with mois- ture, dry years tending to be unfavorable not only for reason of lack of summer moisture but also for the reason of the high drying temperatures that usually characterize such dryness. On the other hand favorable moisture conditions are usually found associated with favorable temperature conditions. Montana's normal summer rainfall and normal temperatures are sufficient for average crop needs and most of these years show favorable crop yields. The continental type of climate in Montana results in wide climatic variations out of which come not only drought seasons such as 1919 and 1929, but also seasons of optimum crop conditions like those of 1916 and 1927, as well as many seasons of an intermediate type which show very satisfactory crop yields. The adverse seasons and the very favorable seasons must therefore be con- sidered together. In such a set-up we find on one hand 1927, a year of optimum climatic conditions resulting in a combined crop yield of 149.4 per cent of the 10- year average, and on the other hand a year like 1929 with a combined crop yield of 77.5 per cent of the 10-year average. Too often the tendency is to advertise the big crop year and to relegate to oblivion the results of the poor crop year with the result that the year of big crop yields is naturally discounted and the poor crop year gets a whispered pub- licity that paints a picture much worse than the blunt facts warrant. Taken together the bumper crop years and the years of drought and failure are extremes that cancel out in the long run. The true picture of what Montana returns to her tillers is written in the long-time averages of crop yields. Com- parisons showing Montana's 10-year average crop yields compared with compar- able states and the United States averages have been given in these reviews from time to time. It was on such basic facts that Montana has found her place among leading states of the nation in crop and livestock production. 34.3 30.2 89.4 42.4 49.7 50.9 68.7 59.4 68.6 66.2 69.3 64.4 51.0 55.0 Weather records over long periods of years disclose little or no evidence that climate has become either more favorable or less favorable for crop produc- tion either in Montana or elsewhere. Farm methods and practices, utilization of land and choice of crops and livestock are the avenues through which Montana may finally raise or lower the average returns from her agricultural resources. That she already has advanced in the partial solution of these problems is indi- cated from her record of progress to date. Bumper crop seasons and seasons of drought and partial failure must take their proper place in any program of agri- cultural development for Montana, even though they present one of the problems of that program. 1929 GROWING SEASON WEATHER AVERAGE PRECIPITATION MEAN TEMPERATURE MONTH Amount Normal Mean Normal March 1.20 0.91 April 0.94 1.15 May 1.71 2.23 June 2.14 2.61 July 0.59 1.54 August 0.34 1.15 September 1.36 1.38 Season total (or average) 8.28 10.97 53.0 52.6 FARM PRICES IN 1929 The year in prices was a case of higher prices for shorter production for most of the crops which Montana sells although the price improvement fell far short of offsetting the reduced yields. Of the 17 principal crops, 12 crops including corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, flaxseed, potatoes, sugar beets, seed peas, tame hay, wild hay, and apples met with prices that were somewhat better than in 1928. The improvement, however, was small except in case of potatoes, flax and hay where 1929 prices were sub- stantially above those of 1928. Beans, alfalfa seed and cherries met with prices somewhat lower than in 1928 while clover seed and canning peas brought about the same average prices as in 1928. In the livestock end the general trend of prices during 1929 was downward which was discouraging to stockmen who were forced to sell on these markets as a result of short feed and pasture. However, in the case of cattle, the decline still left cattle prices at relatively high levels and sheep men who contracted their fall lambs early evaded most of the late summer and fall decline in sheep prices. Wool in 1929 moved at the lowest prices in several years with buyers very scarce at shearing time and a large quantity consigned by growers rather than accept shearing time offers. Lamb prices compared favorably with 1928 during the first half of 1929 but fell about 60 cents to one dollar per hundred when fall shipments began to assume volume. Cattle prices for beef cattle averaged $8.90 per hundred in September compared with $10.20 in September, 1928, holding about the same spread in October. Hog prices after maintaining levels above 1928 broke slightly below 1928 prices in September when they averaged $9.90 per hundred compared with $10.10 in September, 1928. They also averaged slightly under the 1928 prices in October but recovered to levels above 1928 during November and December. The dairy men also encountered falling prices compared with 1928 toward the end of 1929, but it was not until November that the spread was significant. In November the average reported price for Montana butterfat was 43 cents com- pared with 47 cents in November. 1928, while the December, 1929, price aver- aged 40 cents compared with 49 cents for December, 1928. Poultry growers also encountered November and December prices in 1929 that were below those of 1928 but the spread was small for poultry other than turkeys. November average price of chickens was 17.1 cents per pound compared with 17.8 cents in November, 1928, while for turkeys the November, 1929, price averaged 28 cents compared with 32 cents per pound in November, 1928. December prices saw about the same spread for chickens, but turkey prices again dropped sharply, averaging but 23 cents per pound compared with 31 cents for December, 1928. MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICES— 1928 AND 1929 ESTIMATED PRICES OF IMPORTANT PRODUCTS AS OF THE FIFTEENT^^ OF fAJCU MOHXH COMMODITY January February March April "*;.' 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 Wheat (1) $ 1.01 .87 .45 .62 .73 1.79 .65 8.50 .47 .44 17.2 9.30 10.10 9.10 7.90 13.40 8.00 8.30 10.00 7.20 10.90 .32 .37 72.00 45.00 1.90 5.70 $ .84 .84 .42 .58 .72 2.04 .65 8.80 .48 .37 17.1 9.80 8.80 9.30 8.00 14.40 7.90 8.70 11.30 8.50 11.70 .29 .36 87.00 47.00 1.40 4.20 $ 1.01 .87 .45 .62 .75 1.77 .70 8.40 .46 .33 16.5 9.10 8.90 9.10 8.50 13.00 7.60 8.60 10.10 8.00 10.90 "".'38 74.00 48.00 1.90 5.70 $ .90 .88 .43 .59 .78 2.09 .60 9.50 .48 .38 18.0 10.30 10.30 10.20 8.80 14.70 8.50 9.30 12.00 8.50 11.70 ""."36 87.00 47.00 1.15 3.45 $ 1.02 .92 .47 .70 .85 1.84 .75 8.70 .46 .22 17.8 10.80 10.40 9.60 8.70 13.00 7.60 9.40 10.80 8.20 11.20 ".'38 75.00 50.00 1.80 5.40 $ .91 .92 .44 .61 .70 2.10 .60 10.50 .47 .32 18.2 10.80 10.80 11.20 9.40 16.70 9.10 9.70 12.50 8.90 12.10 ".35 87.00 47.00 .95 2.85 % 1.12 .90 .51 .70 .84 1.84 .75 8.60 .45 .19 18.2 11.20 9.10 9.50 8.10 14.50 7.80 9.00 10.90 8.60 11.50 ""'."38 77.00 51.00 2.00 6.00 $ .86 .96 .44 .62 .68 2.10 .65 10.30 .47 .19 19.9 11.20 10.30 11.20 9.40 16.30 9.70 9.40 12.50 8.90 12.20 "'.'36 87.00 47.00 .85 2.55 $ 1.27 1.05 .51 .69 .99 1.98 .65 9.00 .43 .20 19.5 10.50 9.40 9.70 9.30 14.50 8.50 9.30 11.70 8.70 11.60 """."30 79.00 52.00 2.15 6.45 $ .77 Corn (1) .98 Oats (1) .45 Barley (1) .... .62 Rye (1) .65 Flax (1) 2.10 Potatoes (1) .70 Hay (2) (loose) Butter (4) 10.50 .45 Eggs (3) .19 Chickens (4) 19.7 Timothy (2) 11.20 Clover (2) 9.80 Alfalfa (2) 11.10 Prairie (2) 9.90 Alfalfa seed (5) Hogs (5) 16.60 9.80 Beef cattle (5) 9.80 Veal calves (5) 12.40 Sheep (5) 8.60 Lambs (5) 11.90 Turkeys (4) Wool (unwash) (4).. Milk cows (6) .34 90.00 Horses (6) 48.00 Apples (1) 1.25 Apples (7) 3.75 :% June July August September October November December 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 $ 1.17 $ .74 $ 1.09 $ .93 $ .82 $ 1.02 $ .79 $ 1.04 $ .83 $ 1.02 $ .81 $ .92 $ .81 $ .99 1.00 .96 .95 .90 .90 .85 .83 .81 .79 .85 .84 .86 .76 .81 .51 .43 .49 .46 .40 .46 .36 .46 .36 .46 .36 .49 .40 .49 .70 .56 .71 .64 .56 .60 .53 .58 .51 .60 .50 .64 .54 .66 .93 .57 .87 .71 .72 .78 .65 .71 .69 .72 .68 .69 .69 .73 2.01 2.09 1.89 2.23 1.76 2.52 1.74 2.71 1.91 2.89 1.92 2.80 1.96 2.79 .65 .65 .75 .95 1.00 1.50 .75 1.50 .60 1.80 .60 1.80 .50 1.85 9.90 10.60 9.00 9.80 9.00 10.70 8.30 11.20 8.40 11.40 8.80 11.80 8.80 11.90 .42 .45 .43 .44 .43 .43 .46 .46 .47 .47 .49 .46 .50 .44 .21 .22 .23 .24 .26 .26 .31 .29 .37 .35 .44 .44 .48 .47 19.1 19.6 19.0 20.4 20.1 20.0 19.5 19.2 18.9 18.1 17.8 17.1 16.7 15.6 11.80 10.90 10.50 12.00 10.00 12.10 9.70 12.80 9.70 12.90 9.70 12.90 9.70 12.90 9.10 9.40 9.00 9.20 10.00 10.00 9.30 11.00 9.70. 11.70 9.20 11.90 8.80 13.00 10.20 10.70 9.10 9.70 9.80 10.60 9.50 11.50 9.50 12.50 9.70 12.80 9.70 13.30 9.10 10.10 8.80 9.70 9.20 9.90 9.20 10.70 8.90 10.60 8.80 10.90 9.10 11.00 14.50 17.50 15.00 18.50 15.80 17.50 14.00 14.20 13.30 13.40 14.70 11.60 14.10 12.50 8.50 9.50 8.80 9.80 9.50 10.30 10.10 9.90 9.30 9.20 8.10 8.50 8.00 8.50 8.90 9.30 8.90 9.30 9.80 9.80 10.20 8.90 9.80 8.50 9.20 8.30 9.00 8.20 11.60 12.20 11.80 13.00 12.30 12.60 12.70 11.30 12.00 11.20 11.60 10.50 12.00 10.70 8.40 8.80 8.40 7.70 8.40 7.70 8.50 8.00 8.50 7.50 8.20 7.30 8.30 7.30 11.50 11.60 11.20 11.50 11.10 11.10 11.40 10.80 11.20 .29 10.50 .28 11.10 .32 10.90 .28 11.20 .31 10.20 .23 .39 .32 .38 .29 .38 .29 .38 .30 .39 .29 .36 .28 .37 .30 81.00 92.00 80.00 92.00 81.00 90.00 85.00 91.00 88.00 88.00 88.00 90.00 89.00 86.00 51.00 48.00 49.00 51.00 49.00 46.00 48.00 46.00 47.00 47.00 47.00 42.00 52.00 42.00 1.75 1.20 2.00 1.00 1.35 1.10 1.30 1.01 1.50 1.10 1.60 1.45 1.55 5.25 3.60 6.00 3.00 4.05 3.30 3.90 3.30 4.50 3.30 4.80 4.35 4.66 (1) per bushel. (2) per ton. (3) per dozen. (4) per pound. (5) per cwt. (6) per head. (7) per bbl. FARM LABOR AND FARM LABOR WAGES IN 1929 The farm labor situation in Montana during 1929 was more favorable to farmers than in 1928 both from the standpoint of supply and prevailing wages paid by farmers to labor. Demand on part of farmers for labor in 1929 was reduced by reason of the drought especially as affecting the demand for grain harvest labor. SUPPLY LARGER For the 10 months, March to December, the average supply of available farm labor as reported monthly by crop correspondents was 99.2 per cent of normal. For the same period in 1928 the supply averaged 97.0 per cent of normal. Demand for farm labor for the 10 months, March to December, averaged 86.8 per cent of normal compared with 93.9 per cent for the same period in 1928. The following table shows as a percentage of normal the reported supply and demand for farm labor by months for 1929 and 1928. In these monthly aver- ages is reflected the sharp decline in demand for farm labor compared with 1928 that started in August. This was due to the short grain harvest of 1929 and the extensive use of combines which reduced harvest labor needs materially. The ratio of supply to demand for 1929 was 114,2 per cent compared with the ratio of 103.3 per cent reported in 1928. SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR FARM LABOR SUPPLY PER CENT OF DEMAND PER CENT OF NORMAL NORMAL Month 1929 1928 1929 1928 March 100 98 91 93 April 98 98 94 96 May 97 96 96 96 June 98 97 92 93 July 98 102 90 91 August 98 95 84 95 September 98 96 80 97 October 100 94 82 94 November 103 95 79 93 December 102 99 80 91 10 month average 99.2 97.0 86.8 93.9 Ratio of supply to demand: 1929, 114.2 per cent; 1928, 103.3 per cent. FARM WAGES LOWER Farm wages, although starting the year at levels slightly above those of the beginning of the preceding year, fell gradually during the season and at harvest time were substantially lower than during the harvest of 1928. The quarterly averages for prevailing farm wages as reported in both 1929 and 1928 are shown in the following table: MONTANA FARM WAIVES BY THE MONTH BY THE DAY With Board Without Board With Board Without Board 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 January $46.25 $45.00 $67.50 $69.75 $2.60 $2.65 $3.60 $3.60 April 54.50 55.25 74.75 74.50 2.60 2.70 3.70 8.65 July 57.50 58.00 78.75 78.50 2.85 2.75 3.70 8.60 October 57.25 65.50 77.00 83.25 3.50 8.70 3.80 4.85 1929 FARM LAND VALUES Farm land values as reported by crop correspondents each March show a decline in values on March 1, 1930, following the poor crops of 1929, and have just about discounted the rise in values that followed the good crop years of 1928 and 1927. Montana land values declined sharply during the post war period reaching relatively low levels in 1925. Present reported values are still close to these levels. MARCH 1 REPORTED VALUATIONS PER ACRE MONTANA FARM LANDS 1920 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 All farm lands improved $42.20 $23.50 $27.00 $23.30 $25.20 $27.00 $23.50 All farm lands unimproved 32.00 15.00 19.00 16.51 17.50 19.50 15.50 ASSESSED VALUES MONTANA FARM LANDS* The assessed values of Montana farm lands in 1929 showed a further decline in case of irrigated lands which have been dropping steadily since 1923. Non- irrigated plowlands following some increase in 1927 and 1928 dropped slightly in 1929 as did also grazing lands. The following table shows assessed valuation for 1929 compared with preceding years. ASSESSED VALUES PER ACRE OF MONTANA LANDS 1923 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 Irrigated farm lands $51.15 $50.95 $50.80 $48.89 $49.09 $47.08 Non-irrigated tillable lands 13.47 13.44 12.86 13.16 13.19 13.01 Grazing lands 6.08 4.95 4.82 4.62 4.62 4.58 ♦Data from State Board of Equalization. BANK DEPOSITS IN 1929 Montana bank deposits and resources in 1929 reflected the reduced returns to agriculture according to the record of George M. Robertson, state bank exam- iner. The total resources of 67 national banks, 127 state banks and 1 private bank at the close of business on Dec. 31, 1929, aggregated $189,000,000, compared with $208,000,000 for 1928; $193,000,000 for 1927 and $176,000,000 for 1926. Similarly deposits which were $185,000,000 on Dec. 31, 1929, were about $20,000,000 less than a year ago and $6,000,000 less than two years ago. Compared with 1926, however, they were $15,000,000 larger and $51,000,000 larger than on Dec. 31, 1925. The number of banks declined slightly during 1929, compared with 1928 due to consolidations. Year National State Private Total 1927 73 132 2 207 1928 71 130 1 202 1929 67 127 1 195 Population per bank which was 1,276 people in 1920 has continued to increase during the post war years and is now about 2,700, or more than double the 1920 number. The average deposits per bank at the end of 1929 were about $846,150 com- pared with $918,186 in 1928 and $826,927 on December 31, 1927. SALES OF FARM MACinNERY IN 1929 Nineteen-twenty-nine sales of farm implements and machinery as reflected in the Montana Railroad Commission's records of cars shipped into the state show a sharp recession from the high mark recorded in 1928 but were almost equal to those of 1927 and higher than any preceding year back to 1921. Shipments declined sharply during the last half of 1929 and were only 62 cars in August, 1929, compared with 129 cars in August, 1928. The drought, the effects of which were apparent in August, 1929, curtailed the demand for new equipment on part of farmers which was quickly reflected in the movement of such equip- ment from factories to dealers hands. Montana farmers have made extensive replacement of old machinery during the past five years, as well as purchasing considerable new labor saving, powered farm machinery. Sales of tractors, combines and cultivators have been reported unusually heavy during 1926, 1927, and 1928. MONTANA IMPORTS OF FARM IMPLEMENTS* Year No. of Cars Year No. of Cars 1921 249 1927 328 1925 196 1928 445 1926 271 1929 826 ^Records of Montana Railroad Commission, FARM INCOME IN 1929 Combined sales of crops and livestock and its products in 1929 are valued at $125,595,000, compared with $147,945,000, revised estimate for 1928, and $151,- 713,000 for 1927. In this total, crop sales are estimated at $51,031,000, compared with $75,777,- 000 in 1928 and $88,409,000 in 1927, while the value of livestock marketings and sales of livestock products is placed at $74,564,000 in 1929, compared with $72,168,- 000 in 1928 and $63,304,000 in 1927. MONTANA AGRICULTURAL INCOME* Year From Crops Sold From Livestock Sold Total 1929 $51 , 031 , 000 $74 , 564 , 000 $125 , 596 , 000 1928 75,777,000 72,168,000 147,945,000 1927 88,409,000 63,304,000 151,713,000 1926 57,971,000 75,007.000 132,978,000 1926 57,877,000 66,052,000 123,929,000 1924 74,343,000 60,559,000 124,902,000 1928 47,334,000 48,001,000 95,336,000 1922 41,799,000 42,212,000 84,011.000 1921 31,010,000 26,485,000 57,495,000 1920 64,200,000 48,039,000 102,239,000 *Based on estimated values of farm sales of crops and livestock and its products. From this table is indicated the expansion of both the crop production and the livestock industry in the state in the past 10 years. In case of crops, while the principal cash crop, wheat, has expanded considerably during this period there has also developed an increasing income from other cash crops such as sugar beets, peas, beans, alfalfa seed, flaxseed, and potatoes. In case of livestock, while both the cattle and sheep marketings have increased during this period, there has been a substantial increase also in the value of dairy products, poultry and bees. As a whole the state's agricultural industry has become more diversified dur- ing the past 10 years despite the fact that there are large areas within the state where much of the enterprise is concentrated largely in one crop or one class of livestock. Diversification of the state's agricultural income as between crops and live- stock gives a tendency of income from either source to be offsetting. In other words, years of relatively low crop income show relatively large income from livestock, while years of large crop income tend to show relatively lower income from livestock sources. This is partly explained by the fact that the dry seasons which frequently lower crop income by reducing the quantity for market, also in- fluences larger marketings of range livestock by reducing feed supplies. On the other hand years of good crops are usually years of favorable feed supplies tend- ing to reduce marketings of range livestock. A contributing factor is the tendency of farmers to sell livestock in years of poor crops and to hold in years of favor- able crops. In the table of yearly income the year 1929 is an example where the lowest crop income since 1923 was associated with the second largest livestock income of the 10-year period. On the other hand the year 1924 with the third largest crop income is associated with a relatively low income from livestock. An itemized statement of the preliminary estimates of 1929 income com- pared with the revised estimates for 1928 is given in the following table: • ESTIMATED CASH INCOME FROM AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS Livestock and Products Revised 1928 Preliminary 1929 1. Cattle and Calves. $28,858,000 $28,357,000 2. Sheep and Lambs 11,105,000 18,934,000 8. Hogs 6,262,000 7,110,000 4. Wool 10,118,000 8,482,000 5. Dairy Products 11,888,000 11,998,000 6. Poultry 4,814,000 4,098,000 7. Horses 847,000 885.000 8. Honey and Wax 281,000 260,000 TOTAL LIVESTOCK INCOME $72,168,000 $74,664,000 Farm Crops Total Value Sales 1. Wheat $ 65,036,000 $58,396,000 2. Hay 27,126,000 5,198,000 3. Oats 8,291,000 492,000 4. Barley 3,569,000 206,000 5 Rye 1,488,000 299,000 6. Flaxseed 2,988,000 788,000 7. Corn 4,269,000 313,000 8. Potatoes 2,340.000 975,000 9. Apples 464,000 382,000 10. Miscellaneous Fruits 121,000 101,000 11. Dry Beans 2,233,000 1,952,000 12. Sugar Beets 1,899,000 1,899,000 13. Miscellaneous Truck 500,000 485,000 14 Canning Peas 209,000 209,000 15. Alfalfa Seed 667,000 617,000 16. Clover Seed 135,000 70,000 17. Seed Peas 664,000 626,000 18. Farm Gardens 3,668,000 769,000 TOTAL CROPS ". $125,667,000 $75,777,000 All Agricultural Products (Value of Sales) $147,945,000 Total Value Sales $38,181,000 $31,918,000 30,762,000 6,112,000 4,803,000 275,000 2,731,000 200,000 879,000 160,000 2,626,000 2,426,000 3,034,000 242,000 3,366,000 2,196,000 546,000 464,000 131,000 95,000 1,890,000 1,546,000 2,715,000 2,715.000 375,000 350,000 214,000 214,000 828,000 778,000 58,000 40,000 832,000 800,000 2,102,000 500,000 $96,073,000 $51,031,000 $125,596,000 CROP PRODUCTION IN 1929 Nineteen-twenty-nine, although exceeding both 1928 and 1927 in area planted to crops, fell considerably below these big crop years in final out-turns, by reason of the severe summer drought that gripped the state from early July to the first week of September. All crops on non-irrigated lands suffered loss of acreage planted as well as considerable loss of yield per acre on the area har- vested. Irrigated crops while faring better were also handicapped by reduced water supplies and some burning under the high day temperatures in the latter half of July. Yields largely by reason of the climatic damage were reduced 22.5 per cent below the 10-year average, taking the yields of 17 principal crops combined in relation to their combined 10-year average yields. This was in decided contrast with 1928 when yields were 29.3 per cent higher than the 10-year average and with the bumper crop of 1927 when they rose to 57.2 per cent above the 10-year average. Similar seasons in the past, however, have found Montana yields lower than in 1929, which indicates the extent to which Montana farmers have adapted their methods to cope with climatic limitations. In case of the grain crops on which the bulk of the damage occurred, the combine in 1929 saved many fields that would never have been cut with the binder after new type machinery had put in these crops with a relatively low labor cost. Summer fallow on which 39 per cent of the 1929 spring wheat crop was sown was likewise an insurance against the heat and drought damage. TOTAL TONNAGE IN 1929 Total tonnage of all principal crops in Montana in 1929 was 4,616,007, com- pared with the revised estimate for 1928 of 6,618,691 tons. The 1929 crop was 30.3 per cent below the crop of 1928. TONNAGE PRODUCTION OF MONTANA CROPS Crops 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 Corn 226,000 197,520 118,470 215,040 156,180 108,360 All Wheat 1,553,970 1,050,630 1,387,064 2,406,240 2,339,940 1,202,940 Oats 259,600 217,792 266,656 381,440 323,536 150,688 Barley 62.400 78,624 186,400 154,440 152,976 96,384 Rye 33,600 30,000 35,952 72,360 64,680 36,630 Flax 59,920 30,744 19,404 48,552 46,680 28,140 All Hay 2,708,000 2,631.000 2,263,000 3,701,000 3,103,000 2,527,000 Potatoes 89,760 113,400 89,250 136,080 127,650 59,400 Beans 16,800 12,936 12,900 19.200 17,400 15,750 Seed Peas 11,760 15,630 16,200 8,820 9,960 11,880 Canning Peas 2,100 3,984 3,792 3,100 3,800 3,900 Alfalfa Seed 1,410 2,340 1,860 594 1,440 2,190 Sugar Beets 365,000 315,000 352,000 364,000 258,000 362,000 Cherries • 200 260 325 300 120 260 Clover Seed 270 660 900 900 945 405 Apples 6,960 1,920 8.304 7,080 12,384 10.080 TOTAL TONNAGE 5,398,550 4,702,440 4.662.477 7,519,146 6,618.691 4,616.007 9 AVERAGE YIELDS PER ACRE IN 1929 Average yields per acre for all principal crops except sugar beets in 1929 were the poorest in several years. Sugar beets, which are grown wholly under irrigation, escaped the drought and heat damage which greatly reduced the yields of non-irrigated crops. Winter wheat and rye by reason of earlier maturity were not damaged as badly as the spring sown grains. Hay encountered favorable weather for produc- ing and curing satisfactory first cuttings before the dry hot weather of July and August. Spring grains and flax suffered the brunt of the drought damage which re- duced yields of these crops considerably below average. Aside from drought dam- age to that part of the potato crop planted on non-irrigated lands, a cold, late spring retarded early development of potatoes on irrigated land and heat was generally injurious to the crop at blossoming time. Bean yields were reduced by drought damage to non-irrigated beans. The irrigated beans generally made good crops. Corn lacked sufficient moisture to make anything better than a fair yield although maturing generally to a good quality. The seed crops including alfalfa and clover made as good yields in 1929 as in 1928, which were about average. Quality of the seed was somewhat better than average. AVERAGE ACRE YIELDS 5-Yr. Av. Crop 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1920-24 1929 Spring Wheat 16.2 10.5 12.2 20.6 19.0 13.3 9.0 Winter Wheat 17.1 14.5 14.0 22.0 15.0 15.1 14.0 Corn 18.0 16.5 11.0 23.4 19.0 20.1 12.0 Oats 29.5 22.5 26.0 40.0 36.5 28.1 17.0 Barley 25.0 21.5 24.0 33.0 30.5 22.8 16.0 Rye 14.0 12.5 12.0 18.0 14.0 11.6 11.0 Flax 8.7 4.5 4.7 10.2 8.5 6.3 3.2 Potatoes 88.0 108.0 85.0 135.0 115.0 108.8 60.0 Tame Hay 1.71 1.65 1.59 2.12 1.98 1.76 1.42 Wild Hay 90 .90 .80 1.15 .90 .89 .76 Beans 12.0 12.5 10.0 20.0 14.5 12.2 10.5 Sugar Beets 11.0 11.4 9.0 9.7 ACRE VALUES OF CROP YIELDS The average yields per acre as valued by the prices of farm crops in 1929 show in most cases much lower values than for 1928 and the 5-year average (1924-1928). Potatoes, sugar beets and winter wheat were three instances where 1929 acre values were higher than in 1928. ACRE VALUE Crop 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 5-Yr. Av. Spring Wheat $15.96 $20.09 $14.70 $13.92 $19.98 $15.96 $ 8.64 $16.86 Winter Wheat 12.00 21.20 19.29 14.98 20.24 12.00 12.88 17.06 Corn 15.58 17.82 15.68 10.12 16.92 15.58 10.08 16.81 Oats 14.97 13.82 11.92 13.78 17.60 14.97 8.67 14.43 Barley 17.08 17.25 15.12 15.36 19.80 17.08 10.88 16.93 Rye 9.66 12.74 9.25 9.00 13.14 9.66 7.92 10.80 Flax 16.32 19.22 9.90 8.69 17.85 16.32 8.96 14.40 Potatoes 63.25 76.56 172.80 102.00 87.75 63.25 102.00 100.10 Tame Hay 17.62 17.64 16.61 16.50 ' 17.80 17.62 17.61 17.24 Wild Hay 7.20 8.10 8.10 7.60 8.63 7.20 8.40 8.04 Beans 65.88 39.60 38.13 28.00 60.00 55.82 37.80 43.79 Sugar Beets 72.00 70.87 86.13 93.71 67.71 72.75 85.84 (Average yield per acre times farms price per bushel or ton.) PERCENTAGE OF CROPS SOLD Varying percentages of crops produced are sold yearly for cash, the amount sold varying with changes in production. As a rule the percentage retained on farms for seed, feed and other consumption is fairly constant. Reporters are asked during the season to estimate the percentage of various crops sold or to be sold for shipment out of the county where grown. With this information as a basis, combined with the experience of past years as to amounts of crop produc- tion moving out of Montana in commercial channels, the following estimates of percentage of crops sold has been determined. 10 PERCENTAGE OF CROPS MARKETED Crops 1927 All Wheat 92 All Hay 17 Oats 6 Barley 6 Rye 15 Flaxseed 94 Corn 5 Potatoes 33 Apples 76 1928 90 19 6 6 1929 84 20 6 7 18 92 10 35 85 Crops Cherries Beans Sugar Beets Truck Crops 1927 80 63 100 94 1928 89 87 100 95 100 92 52 94 21 1929 90 82 100 95 12 94 Canning Peas Alfalfa Seed 100 85 100 94 9 Clover Seed 53 68 30 82 Seed Peas Farm Gardens 95 17 96 24 ACREAGE SHIFTS IN 1929 Nineteen-twenty-nine found Montana farmers ready to again increase their total crop acreage, especially in spring sown crops, but earlier plans were modified at spring seeding time and drought intervened to still further reduce the acreage that was finally harvested. The acreage finally harvested in 1929 of all crops was estimated at 7,994,000, an increase of about 3 per cent over the 7,708,000 acres harvested in 1928. Abandonment of planted acreage in case of the grain crops was sufficient to bring the 1929 harvested total somewhat under that harvested in 1928, the totals being 5,383,000 acres for 1929 compared with 5,466,000 acres in 1928. There were offsetting increases however in the groups, other seed crops and all hay and forage acreages. Acreage of crop failure from all causes in 1929 was 666,000 acres compared with 383,000 acres in 1928 and 228.000 acres in 1927. The acreage lying out in sum- mer fallow in 1929 as indicated by the Rural Carrier Survey in September was 2,072,000 acres, compared with 2,205,000 acres in 1928 and 2,782,000 acres in 1927. ACREAGE CHANGES 1929 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 TOTAL LAND AREA .... 93,532,840 Land in Farms 32,735,723 Pasture Land 22,714,811 Improved Pasture Land 4,144,050 Wild 17,249,146 Woodland 1,311,615 Other Land 1,546,688 Total Crop Land 8,650,000 Total Acres in Crops 6,595,000 Grain Crops Total 4,526,000 Corn 420,000 All Whieat 3,163,000 Winter Wheat 620,000 Spring Wheat 2,543,000 Durum Wheat* 39,000 Oats 550,000 Barley 104,000 Rye 80,000 Other Seed Crops Total.... 320,000 Beans 25,000 Seed Peas 24,000 Flaxseed 246,000 Clover Seed (sweet) 3,000 Alfalfa Seed 19,000 All Hay and Forage 1,879,000 Timothy 100,000 Clover 51,000 Timothy. Clover Mixed 157,000 Alfalfa Hay 598.000 Grain Cut for Hay 190,000 Other Tame Hay (all).. 110,000 Wild Hay (cut) 673.000 Potatoes 34,000 Other Vegetables 5.000 Sugar Beets 31,000 Canning Peas 1,900 Crop Failure 308,000 Idle and Fallow Land 1,750,000 Fruit Crops (acres) 8,000 Apple Trees (number) 712,000 Plum Trees (number) 19,000 8 ,930,000 9,656,000 10 ,545,000 10 ,304,000 10 ,690,000 6 ,797,000 6,817,000 7 ,535,000 7 ,708,000 7 ,944,000 4 ,490,000 4,827,000 5 ,080,000 5 ,466,000 5 ,383.000 399,000 359,000 305,000 274,000 301,000 3 ,250,000 3,570,000 3 ,850,000 4 ,275,000 4 ,166,000 224,000 521,000 648,000 803,000 522,000 3 ,026,000 3,049,000 3 ,202,000 3 ,472,000 3 ,643,000 32,000 14,000 15,000 29,000 29,000 605,000 641,000 596,000 554,000 554,000 156,000 150,000 195,000 209,000 251,000 80,000 107,000 134,000 154,000 111,000 347,000 263,000 223,000 269,000 400,000 37,000 43,000 32,000 40,000 50,000 28.000 27,000 14,000 19,000 24,000 244,000 165,000 170,000 183,000 293,000 7,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 3,000 28,000 23,000 11,000 20,000 30,000 1 ,882,000 1,644,000 2 ,139,000 1 ,900,000 2 ,082,000 100,000 101,000 101,000 106,000 106,000 55.000 50,000 56,000 67,000 60,000 157,000 140,000 154,000 162,000 189,000 604,000 592,000 710,000 689,000 744,000 211.000 274,000 140,000 168,000 235,000 105,000 94,000 113,000 102,000 112,000 650,000 393,000 865,000 606,000 626,000 35,000 35,000 36,000 37,000 33,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30.000 32,000 32,000 28,000 37,000 3,100 2,000 2,800 3,500 4,200 557,000 691,000 228,000 383,000 666,000 1 ,855,000 2,140,000 2 ,782,000 2 ,205,000 2 ,072,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 650,000 577,000 577,000 577,000 577,000 19,000 19,000 19,000 19,000 19,000 Durum Wheat included in Spring Wheat totals. ACREAGE, YIELD PER ACRE, PRODUCTION, FARM PRICE, PER UNIT ON DECEMBER 1, AND TOTAL FARM VALUE FOR THE STATE FOR 1928-1929 AND FIVE YEAR AVERAGE A^y.^^^^ Yield T>«„^„„f;o,„ Unit Farm Acre CROP AND YEAR %%T /.^^ ^""toT ^^ uZ] ^t' CORN (bu.) 1929 301 1928 274 1924-28 Averasre 351 WINTER WHEAT (bu.) 1929 522 1928 803 1924-28 Average 561 DURUM WHEAT (bu.) 1929 29 1928 29 1924-28 Average 26 OTHER SPRING WHEAT (bu.) 1929 3,615 1928 3,443 1924-28 Average 3,033 ALL WHEAT (bu.) 1929 4,166 1928 4,275 1924-28 Average 3,620 OATS (bu.) 1929 554 1928 554 1924-28 Average 589 BARLEY (bu.) 1929 251 1928 209 1924-28 Average 163 RYE (bu.) 1929 Ill 1928 154 1924-28 Average Ill FLAXSEED (bu.) 1929 293 1928 183 1924-28 Average 202 POTATOES (bu.) 1929 38 1928 37 1924-28 Average'"!".'.!!'.!!!" 35 . BEANS (bu.) 1929 50 1928 40 1924-28 Average 35. SUGAR BEETS (tons) 1929 37 1928 28 1924-28 Average 30. CANNING PEAS (tons) 1929 4. 1928 3 1924-28 Average !.!!!!!!!!!! 2! ALFALFA SEED (bu.) 1929 30 1928 20 1924-28 Average 20. SWEET CLOVER SEED (bu.) 1929 8 1928 7 1924-28 Average !!!!!!!!!!!! 5 . ALL TAME HAY (tons) 1929 1,446 1928 1,294 1924-28 Average 1,251 WILD HAY (tons) 1929 636 1928 606 1924-28 Average 637 APPLES (bu.) 1929 1928 1924-28 Average 12.0 19.0 17.4 3,612 5,206 8,093 .84 .82 .88 8,034 4,269 5,360 10.08 15.58 15.31 14.0 15.0 16.9 7,308 12,045 9,489 .92 .80 1.01 6,723 9,636 9,605 12.88 12.00 17.06 8.8 18.5 14.7 255 536 383 .88 .84 1.10 224 450 423 !!!!!!!! 9.0 19.0 15.9 32.535 65,417 48,104 .96 .84 1.06 31,234 54,950 51,053 8.64 16.96 16.86 9.6 18.2 16.0 40,098 77,998 57,976 .95 .83 1.06 38,181 65,036 61,081 17.0 36.5 30.7 9,418 20,221 18,082 .51 .41 .47 4,803 8,291 8,564 8.67 14.97 14.48 16.0 30.5 27.3 4,016 6,374 4,457 .68 .56 .62 2,781 8,669 2,777 10.88 17.08 16.98 11.0 14.0 14.4 1,221 2,156 1,694 .72 .69 .76 879 1,488 1,190 7.92 9.66 10.80 3.2 8.5 7.2 938 1,556 1,466 2.80 1.92 2.00 2,626 2,988 2,931 8.96 16.32 14.40 4 60.0 115.0 106.5 1,980 4,255 8,772 1.70 .55 .94 3,866 2.340 8,544 102.00 63.25 100.10 4 10.5 14.5 13.6 525 580 482 8.60 3.85 8.22 1,890 2,233 1,661 37.80 55.82 43.79 8 9.7 9.2 10.52 362 258 324 2.10 2.00 2.05 882 664 871 34.63 85.00 39.98 2 5 8 0.93 1.08 1.35 3.9 8.8 3.73 55.00 55.00 62.00 214 209 194 51.16 69.40 70.20 2 2.4 2.4 2.6 72.0 48.0 51.8 11.50 18.90 12.88 828 667 667 27.60 88.86 33.49 6 4.5 4.5 4.2 13.5 81.5 23.5 4.80 4.80 6.62 68 186 132 19.86 19.86 23.60 1.42 1.98 1.83 2,050 2,558 2,295 12.40 8.90 9.42 25,420 22.766 21,628 17.61 17.62 17.24 .75 .90 .96 477 546 609 11.20 8.00 8.88 5.842 4,860 5,106 8.40 7.20 8.04 420 516 815 1.80 .90 1.15 646 464 363 12 CROP AND YEAR Acreaere (000) Yield Per Acre Production (000) Unit Price $ Farm Value $(000) Acre Value $ CHERRIES (tons) 1929 1928 1927-29 Average ... ALL OTHER CROPS* 1929 1928 1924-28 Average ... ALL CROPS (Value) 1929 1928 1924-28 Average ... 156.00 176.00 130.00 •Includes strawberries, truck crops and estimated sale value of farm gardens. 2,567 4,268 3,874 96,073 125,667 122,506 UNITED STATES ESTIMATES OF PRINCIPAL CROPS, ACREAGE, YIELD PER ACRE, PRODUCTION, FARM PRICE PER UNIT ON DECEMBER 1, AND TOTAL FARM VALUE FOR 1929 WITH 1928 FOR COMPARISON CROP AND YEAR Acreage Yield Per Acre Total Production Unit Farm Price on Dec . 1 Per Unit (Cents) Total Farm Value Based on Dec . 1 Farm Price (Dollars) CORN 1928 100, 673 , 000 1929 98 , 018 , 000 WINTER WHEAT 1928 36 , 213 , 000 1929 40,162,000 DURUM WHEAT* 1928 6,836,000 1929 5,315,000 OTHER SPRING WHEAT U. S. 1928 15,223,000 1929 r 15,664,000 ALL WHEAT 1928 58 , 272 , 000 1929 61 , 141 , 000 OATS 1928... 41 , 734 , 000 1929 : 40 , 217 , 000 BARLEY 1928 12 , 598 , 000 1929 13,212, 000 RYE 1928 3 , 480 , 000 1929 3 , 225 , 000 FLAXSEED 1928 2 , 675 , 000 1929 2 , 990 , 000 ALL HAY 1928 71 , 278 , 000 1929 75,121,000 SWEET CLOVER SEED 1928 227,000 1929 231,000 BEANS, dry ediblef 1928 1,643,000 1929 1,879,000 POTATOES 1928 3,837,000 1929 3,370,000 SUGAR BEETS 1928 644,000 1929 717,000 APPLES 1928 1929 *Four States. tPrincipal producing 28.0 26.8 16.0 14.4 14.2 9.9 15.7 11.2 15.7 13.2 34.5 30.8 •28.4 23.2 12.5 12.6 1.49 1.53 4.01 4.16 10.7 10.3 121.3 106.1 11.0 10.7 2,818.901,000 2,622,189,000 578,673,000 578,336,000 97.291,000 52,380,000 238,912,000 175,592,000 914,876.000 806,508,000 1,439,407,000 1,238,654,000 357,487,000 307,105,000 43,366,000 40,629,000 7.4 19,928,000 5.6 16,838,000 106,266,000 114,639,000 909,400 961,800 17,656,000 19,337,000 465,350,000 357,451,000 7,101,000 7,672,000 bu. 186,893,000 139,754,000 states. JPrice other than Dec. 0.752 0.781 1.035 1.065 0.719 0.882 0.913 1.016 970 043 0.409 0.435 0.552 0.550 0.860 0.871 2.012 2.843 11.67 11.77 3.75 3.74 4.18 3.77 0.539$ 1.314$ 7.11 7.52 bu. 1. 0.994 1.317 2,119,046,000 2,048,134,000 599,207,000 616,128,000 69,966,000 46,217,000 218,011,000 178,576,000 887,184,000 840,921,000 589,048,000 538,445,000 197,459,000 168,807,000 37,290,000 35,371,000 40,098,0C0 47,871,000 1,239,956,000 1,349,053,000 3,410,000 3,595,000 73,815,000 72,905,000 251,048,000 469,701,000 50,477,000 57,679,000 185,842,000 184,107,000 13 WHEAT PRODUCTION Production of all wheat in Montana in 1929 was 40,098,000 bushels compared with the 1928 crop of 77 998,000 bushels and the 5-year average (1924-28) produc- tion of 57,796,000 bushels. Acreage of all wheat harvested was 4,166,000 in 1929 compared with 4,275,000 acres in 1928 and the 5-year average harvested acreage of 3,620,000 acres. The yield per acre for the area harvested in 1929 was 9.6 bushels compared with 18.2 bushels in 1928 and the 5-year average of 16.0 bushels. WINTER WHEAT The area of winter wheat seeded the fall of 1928 for 1929 crop was reduced compared with the previous season by reason of dry fall weather and in some localities by fear of root rot damage which seriously reduced yields of the 1928 crop. Abandonment of planted acreage as a result of winter losses was about 15 per cent for the 1929 crop compared with 18.0 per cent for the 1928 crop. The 1929 crop yielded an average of 14.0 bushels per acre, which was about a bushel under the 1928 average and nearly two bushels below the 5-year average. Quality of the 1929 crop was only 70 per cent compared with 90 per cent from the 1928 crop. Heat damage resulting in shriveling was the principal reason for the lower quality. SUMMARY OF DATA FOR WINTER WHEAT 1929 Crop 1928 Crop Area planted preceding fall (acres) 614.000 - 979,000 Abandonment between planting and harvest (acres) 92,000 176,000 Area harvested (acres) 522,000 803,000 Yield per acre (bushels) .' 14.0 15.0 Total production (bushels) 7,308,000 12,045,000 Quality (per cent) 70 90 Weight per measured bushel (pounds) 58.5 69.5 ALL SPRING WHEAT The area harvested for all spring wheat in 1929 was 3,644,000 acres includ- ing about 29,000 acres of durum wheat. In 1928 a total of 3,472 000 acres were harvested and the 5-year (1924-1928) average acreage harvested was 3,049,000. The increase in harvested acreage of spring wheat would have been larger except for the abandonment of acreage that resulted from the severe summer drought, which accounted for failure of about 231,000 acres not including some acreage that was cut green for hay. The 1929 yield per acre of all spring wheat was 9.0 bushels compared with 19.0 bushels for the 1928 crop and the 5-year average yield per acre of 15.9 bushels. Low yields were reported extensively over northeastern, parts of north- central and east-central Montana and southeastern Montana where drought damage was more severe. These areas fell well under the state average while western Montana and parts of north-central, central and south-central sections were above the state average. SUMMARY OF ALL DATA FOR ALL SPRING WHEAT 1929 Crop 1928 Crop 1924-28 Avera»« Area harvested (acres) 3,644,000 3,472,000 3,049,000 Yield per acre (bushels) 9.0 19.0 15.9 Production (bushels) 31,458,000 65,400,000 51,456,000 Quality (per cent) 82 92 Weight per measured bushel (pounds) 58.0 59.7 DURUM WHEAT Area harvested (acres) 29,000 29,000 26,000 Yield per acre (bushels) S.S ^i^-^ „„„ Ai''^ Production (bushels) 255,000 586,000 888,000 14 SUMMARY OF CERTAIN DATA FOR 1929 CROPS OF SPRING WHEAT, OATS, BARLEY AND FLAXSEED Results of a special survey to determine the percentage of acreage of specified crops not harvested by reason of 1929 climatic damage; the percentage of acreage of these crops on different tillages; the average dates of completion of seeding and of certain stages of crop growth are given in the following tables and com- ments. The survey yielded returns from 258 farms representing 52 of the 56 coun- ties of the state and covering 240,116 acres. While the results given below are those of the survey itself and no attempt is made to interpret them in terms of all farms, it is believed that the sample will tend to represent what has been true of all farms in the state this year. The survey farms reported a total acreage of crops planted in 1929 that was 17.4 per cent larger than the harvested acreage of 1928; but noted that 13.4 per cent of the planted acreage in 1929 was not harvested by reason of climatic damage so that the acreage left for harvest in 1929 was but 1.5 per cent larger than that harvested in 1928. Abandonment of planted acreage of important crops was reported as follows: Crop Per Cent Abandoned Spring Wheat 11.6 Oats 32 . 9* Barley 19 . 2 Flaxseed 25 . 3 Rye 18.4* ♦Apparently included some oats and rye cut for hay which should have been excluded. TILLAGE USED Distribution of acreage was asked for important crops on basis of tillage used. Reporters also were asked to designate the tillage on which abandonment oc- curred. Results of these inquiries were as follows: PERCENTAGE OF ACREAGE PLANTED ON Crop Summer Spring Land After Other t«*-i Fallow Plow Cultiv. Crop. Tillage Spring Wheat 39.8 26.3 6.4 28.1 100 Oats 16.6 44.1 13.1 26.2 100 Barley 15.7 35.1 11.5 37.6 100 Winter Wheat 58.2 41.8 100 on sod after crop Flaxseed 72.0 28.0 100 PERCENTAGE OF ABANDONMENT REPORTED ON EACH arnn Summer Spring Fall After Disc and «, , Not ^ Fallow Plow Plow Crop Stubble ^^ Shown Spring Wheat 13.7 32.6 3.0 3.2 23.9 1.9 21.8 Oats 7.2 50.2 10.5 5.6 18.2 .1 8.1 Barley 20.4 44.4 5.7 19.7 10.6 1.1 Flax 11.8 88.2 SEEDING AND PLANT DEVELOPMENT DATA Reported completion of seeding shows, in case of spring wheat, the earliest date of reported completion as the last week in March and the latest, the second week of June. The bulk of the work, however, was done by the first week in May, the weekly amounts falling off with about equal regularity throughout May to the second week of June. Spring wheat began to appear above ground about the second week of April but it was not until the second week of May that the bulk of the crop had emerged. Emergence continued through the second week of June for the later seedings. • The earliest reported heading of spring wheat was in the first week of June from which time the weekly amounts rose regularly to a peak reached in the second week of July with the bulk of the crop heading out during the first and 15 second weeks of July. Late seeded grain continued to head through July and the second week of August. The earliest reported blossoming of spring wheat was in the third week of June with the bulk of the crop blossoming between the 1st and 23rd of July and the largest number of cases coming in the week of July 8th to 15th. Late seeded wheat continued to come into blossom through the rest of July and August with one case reported for the last week of August. REPORTED STAGES OF GROWTH OF SPRING WHEAT CROP SEEDING COMPLETED EMERGENCE HEADED OUT BLOSSOMED MONTH Number Cumulative Number Cumulative Number Cumulative Number Cumulative AMn Cases Number Cases Number Cases Number Cases Number wc^rir Each Each Each Each Each Each Each Each W£.i«.K yf^^y^ ^gg^ ^^g^ ^gg^ -y^gg^ ^g^,^ -^g^J^ yf^^^^ MARCH 24-31 1 1 APRIL 1- 7 1 2 8-16 13 15 11 16-28 21 36 12 24-31 26 62 6 8 MAY 1- 7 53 115 30 38 8-15 37 152 63 111 16-23 25 177 21 132 24-81 8 185 21 153 JUNE 1- 7 2 187 17 170 1 1 8-15 1 188 6 176 3 4 16-23 .... .... .... 6 10 11 24-30 .... .... .... IJ 29 2 8 JULY 1- 7 .... .... .... 46 75 10 13 8-15 .... .... .... 48 123 42 55 16-23 .... .... ... 4 127 15 70 24-31 .... .... .... 5 132 17 87 AUGUST 1- 7 .... .... .... 5 137 5 92 8-15 ... .-. .... 2 139 4 96 16-28 .... .... .... ... .... 2 98 ,,.24-81 .... .... ... .... .... 1 99 Seeding of oats was reported starting the second week of April and con- tinuing through the third week of June. The bulk was seeded during May. Emergence began the third week of April and reached its peak about the second week of May but continued through June for the late seedings. Seeding of barley began the first week of April and continued through the second week of July, but the bulk was seeded in May. Emergence began the third week of April and continued through June with some of the latest seeding emerging in July. REPORTED SEEDING AND EMERGENCE OF OATS AND BARLEY OATS BARLEY SEEDING COMPLETED EMERGENCE SEEDING COMPLETED EMERGENCE MOVTH Number Cumulative Number Cumulative Number Cumulative Number Cumulative • Vvn Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases wvvK Each Each Each Each Each Each Each Each APRIL 1- 7 • ... .... ... 2 2 8-16 16 16 .... .... 2 4 16-28 12 28 9 9 9 13 8 8 2t-80 17 45 8 17 12 25 5 8 MAY 1- 7 25 70 14 31 10 85 6 14 8-16 89 109 27 58 23 68 18 82 16-28 21 130 20 78 12 70 11 48 24-31 16 145 17 95 9 79 11 44 JUNE 1- 7 7 162 18 113 5 84 12 56 8-16 4 156 8 121 3 87 9 66 16-28 2 158 4 126 2 89 2 67 24-80 1 126 ... ... 2 68 JULY 1- 7 3 129 1 90 .... ..% 8-16 . .... 1 91 1 69 16-28 ,24-81...-., ... . - •■• 1 70 16 Seeding of flax was reported beginning as early as April 8-15 but very little of the work was done until the second week of May. The seeding rate was fairly heavy the rest of May and through the second week in June when it ended rather abruptly. The earliest flax bloomed about the third week of June, but the main crop started the first week in July, reached a peak the second week of July with fairly large weekly proportions for later seedings continuing through July and the first two weeks of August. REPORTED STAGES OF GROWTH OF THE FLAX CROP SEEDING COMPLETED TwrnMTTT Number Cumulative *^?£JS Cases Cases APRIL 8-15 1 1 16-23 1 2 24-30 MAY 1- 7 3 5 • 8-15 10 15 16-23 : 6 21 24-31 11 32 JUNE 1- 7 12 44 8-15 9 53 16-23 1 54 24-30 JULY 1- 7 8-15 16-23 : 24-31 AUGUST 1- 7 8-15 CROP EMERGED Number Cumulative Cases Cases Each Each Week Week 1 2 2 4 3 7 '^ 14 12 26 12 38 3 41 2 43 1 44 1 45 CROP BLOOMED Number Cumulative Cases Cases Each Each Week Week 1 1 I 2 6 8 12 20 4 24 5 29 2 31 2 33 WEEKLY RAINFALL AT SELECTED POINTS DURING SEEDING AND EMERGENCE PERIODS (Inches and Hundredths) Ui ^ m a • >» !2iQ 1 C8 1 c > si c 1 5 > '•5 2^ A .2 ti o ~ « i> §<; « S U W O 03 n a i a APRIL 1- 7 * .25 .39 .28 .18 .17 .12 .00 .02 .09 8-15 05 .07 .10 .01 .20 .08 .10 .17 .37 .51 16-23 .18 .12 .28 0.72 .37 .14 1.00 .03 .37 0.69 .21 .39 0.98 .43 .43 1.11 .22 .06 0.50 .02 .28 0.47 .11 .20 0.70 .03 24-30 41 .01 Total April 0.64 0.64 MAY 1- 7 12 .00 .22 .33 .22 .17 .05 .00 .27 .00 8-15 .39 .15 .10 .16 .27 .02 .20 .80 .00 .77 .28 .00 .50 .43 .00 1.38 .19 .00 1.01 .85 .00 .37 .23 .05 1.68 .18 16-23 00 .00 24-31 18 3.54 Total May 0.69 0.41 0.71 1.90 1.00 1.98 1.25 1.22 2.23 3.67 JUNE 1- 7 24 .34 1.40 1.42 1.18 .12 .02 2.24 1.82 2.95 8-15. .29 1.30 .49 .00 .91 .35 .00 .36 .57 .15 .10 .98 .00 1.12 1.53 .07 .20 .80 .04 .47 .42 .00 .92 .20 .00 2.91 16-23 40 .IS 24-30 .00 .00 Total June 0.93 2.13 2.66 2.50 2.26 2.84 1.06 3.13 2.94 5.99 JULY 1- 7 .03 .01 .76 .14 .72 .85 .60 .00 .14 .10 8-15 09 .05 .05 .00 .06 .16 .16 .10 .23 .04 "Trace . 17 NUMBER OF DAYS EACH WEEK DURING FLOWERING PERIODS WITH TEMPERATURES JUNE 24-30 0 JULY 1- 7 0 8-15 1 16-28 1 24-31 4 AUGUST 1- 7 0 8-15 1 16-23 0 24-31 3 OF 90 DEGREES OR HIGHER 10 12 0 HAY Production of both tame hays and wild hays has fallen off steadily since 1927 in which year 2,706,000 tons of tame hay and 995,000 tons of wild hay or a total of 3,701,000 tons gave the state its peak in hay production. Total production of tame hays in 1929 was 2,050,000 tons which was cut from 1,446,000 acres, making the average yield per acre 1.42 tons. In 1928 an acreage of 1,294,000 with an average yield of 1.98 tons per acre produced 2,558,000 tons of tame hay. Production of wild hay in 1929 was 477,000 tons from 636,000 acres which made an average yield of 0.75 tons per acre. In 1928 from 606,000 acres and a yield of 0.90 tons per acre the state production of wild hay was 545,000 tons. Total production of hay in 1929 was 2,527,000 tons compared with 3,103,000 tons in 1928 and 3,701,000 tons in 1927. Acreage of all hay in these years was; 2,082,000 in 1929; 1,900,000 in 1928 and 2,139,000 in 1927. Acreage, yield per acre and total production of tame hay by varieties for 1929 and 1928 are shown in the following table. TAME HAY BY VARIETIES Variety 1929 Timothy •. , 106,000 Clover and Timothy mixed 189,000 Alfalfa 744,000 Grain Hay 235,000 Sweet Clover 60,000 Miscellaneous 112,000 ALL TAME HAY 1,446,000 WILD HAY 636,000 TOTAL HAY 2,082,000 A GE ACRE YIELD PRODUCTION (tons) ( [tons) 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 106,000 1.05 1.50. 111,000 159,000 162,000 1.10 1.80 208,000 292,000 689,000 1.85 2.35 1 ,376,000 1,619,000 168,000 .80 1.30 188,000 218,000 67,000 1.20 1.90 72,000 127,000 102,000 .85 1.42 1.40 1.98 2 95,000 143,000 1 ,294,000 ,050,000 2,558,000 606,000 ,900,000 .75 1.21 .90 1.68 477,000 545,000 1 2 ,527,000 8,108,000 OATS Oats production in 1929 was 9,418,000 bushels from an acreage of 554,000 and an average yield of 17.0 bushels. In 1928, 20,221,000 bushels was harvested from 554,000 acres with an average yield of 36.5 bushels per acre. The decrease in oats production was a result of drought conditions setting in soon after plant- ing time and before the young plants had strength enough to survive a definite drought period. Oats production in 1929 was the lowest in 11 years. Along with decreasing numbers of horses in recent years and increasing numbers of dairy cows and hogs there has been evident a downward trend of oats production and an increase of other feed crops, especially barley. 18 BARLEY Barley acreage in 1929 increased about 20 per cent over that of 1928. Acreage in 1929 was placed at 251,000 compared with 209,000 in 1928 and 195,000 acres in 1927. During the past decade barley has been steadily growing in favor with stockmen as a feed grain with the result that barley acreage has grown at the expense of oats acreages. In 1920 barley acreage was but 64,000 acres or about 12 per cent of the oats acreage. In 1924 barley acreage was 18 per cent of the oats acreage; 37 per cent in 1928 and 45 per cent in 1929. Production of barley in 1929 was 4,016,000 bushels compared with 6,374,000 bushels in 1928 and 6,435,000 bushels in 1927. The average yield in 1929 was 16.0 bushels per acre and compares with 30.5 bushels per acre in 1928, and 33.0 bushels per acre in 1927. The low yield per acre in 1929 is accounted for by the extreme drought conditions that prevailed during the growing season. FLAX Flax production in Montana in 1929 was 938,000 bushels compared with 1,556,000 bushels in 1928. Acreage harvested, however, placed at 293,000 in 1929 was about 60 per cent larger than the revised acreage for 1928. Yield per acre on the other hand averaged 3.2 bushels in 1929 against an average of 8.5 bushels in 1928. However, due to prices being higher in 1929 ($2.80 as against $1.92 in 1928) the total value for the 1929 crop was almost as much as for the 1928 crop, or $2,626,000 in 1929 against $2,988,000 in 1928. The average value per acre for the crop in 1929 was $8.96 or a little more than half the 1928 acre value of $16.32. The average value per acre of the crop in 1929 was only slightly under that of wheat, which was $9.12. Montana was fourth among flax producing states in 1929, production being outranked by Minnesota and the two Dakotas. Most of the crop is grown in the northeastern and eastern portions of Montana, where drought conditions in 1929 were the worst. The harvested yield was well below the 10-year average of 5.5 bushels. The large increase in acreage in 1929 was probably due to the late cold spring which delayed seeding of other grain crops until it was too late for any- thing but flax. RYE Rye acreage in Montana in 1929 declined about 28 per cent. Yields per acre averaged somewhat lower in 1929 due to drought conditions during the summer growing season. In 1929, 1,221,000 bushels were produced from 111,000 acres with an average acre yield of 11.0 bushels. The 1928 crop, from a harvested acreage of 154,000 acres with an average acre yield of 14.0 bushels, was 2,156,000 bushels. The average farm price was only 3 cents higher in 1929 than in 1928, the December price being 72 cents per bushel in 1929 and 69 cents in 1928. ALFALFA SEED Montana ranks fourth in the production of the nation's supply of alfalfa seed. Production of alfalfa seed in 1929 was just a half again as large as in 1928, or 72,000 bushels (5,320,000 pounds) which was produced from 30,000 acres with an average yield of 2.4 bushels per acre. The increase in production in 1929 was brought about as a result of a 50 per cent increase in acreage with the yield per acre remaining about the same as in 1928, or 2.4 bushels, which on 20,000 acres in that year gave a production of 48,000 bushels (2,880,000 pounds). Prices paid to growers for the 1929 crop averaged about $11.50 per bushel. This was about $2.40 less than was received in 1928 per bushel. Nearly half of Montana's alfalfa seed production comes from growers of registered Grimm and Cossack. The quality of Montana grown alfalfa seed is generally recognized and the crop usually finds a ready market outside of the state. 19 The outlook for the 1930 crop of alfalfa seed, both nationally and locally, is encouraging. The carryover is considerably smaller than last year although the fall demand was somewhat lighter than a year ago. Because of unfavorable cli- matic conditions during the fall of 1929 much of the acreage intended for fall sowing will undoubtedly be sown in the spring of 1930, which will reduce the carryover still more, and thus effect in part or entirely a possible curtailment in the demand for alfalfa seed because of relatively low clover seed prices. Imports (1,146,000 pounds) for the past fiscal year were larger than in 1928 but were about one-sixth the average for the preceding five years. CLOVER SEED Montana produces little red or alsike clover but up until 1929 had been steadily increasing her acreage of sweet clover seed for both local demand and the outside market. In 1929 from an acreage of 3,000 acres Montana produced 13,500 bushels of sweet clover seed. In 1928 from 7,000 acres the production was 31,500 bushels. The* average yield per acre in 1928 was the same as in 1929 or 4.5 bushels per acre. Prices paid to growers averaged about $4.30 per bushel for both the 1928 and 1929 crops. Although nationally the 1929 crop was only slightly larger than the 1928 crop, growers were again cautioned in the spring of 1930 not to increase their sweet clover seed acreage as production for a number of years has been running ahead of consumption, resulting repeatedly in large carryovers and low returns to the growers. Doubtless low prices for three consecutive years will discourage many from harvesting a seed crop this year unless storms and early frosts should greatly reduce yields in the heaviest producing areas and raise prices sharply. Imports from July 1, 1929, to the end of the year were unusually small, much below the average, and are expected to continue small for the first half of 1930 or longer. SUGAR BEETS Acreage of sugar beets harvested in Montana in 1928 was placed at 37,000 acres compared with 28,000 acres in 1928. The average yield per acre in 1929 was higher than the 1928 yield, being reported at 9.7 tons per acre compared with 9.2 tons per acre the preceding year. Total production on this basis was placed at 362,000 tons in 1929 and 258,000 tons in 1928. The long, dry summer was con- ducive to the rapid growth of the beets and this resulted in the higher yield. There are now four factories operating in Montana. The Utah-Idaho company is located at Chinook, the Amalgamated Sugar company, at Missoula; the Great Western Sugar company at Billings and the Holly Sugar corporation at Sidney. BEANS Again Montana ranks seventh place in national production of edible beans. The bulk of Montana's crop is made up of the Great Northern variety in which the principal competition comes from Idaho and Wyoming. Average yield per acre and production for the three states in 1929 and 1928 were as follows: 19 2 9 19 2 8 State Acrease Yield Production Acreagre Yield Production Montana 50,000 10.6 525,000 40,000 14.5 580,000 Idaho 92,000 23.0 2.116,000 86,000 19.0 1,634,000 Wyoming 26,000 18.5 481,000 24,000 15.0 360,000 Bean yields in Idaho and Wyoming were higher in 1929 than in 1928 while in Montana they were considerably lower. This is accounted for by the fact that a large percentage of Montana's bean crop is grown on non-irrigated land and consequently yields were greatly reduced by the 1929 drought. Idaho and Wyom- ing grow more of their bean crop on irrigated land. Acreage and production in all three states increased in 1929 with the excep- tion of production in Montana which was reduced below that of 1928 by the low average yield. 20 NATIONAL BEAN PRODUCTION IN 1929 A crop of 19,337,000 bushels of dry edible beans was grown in 1929 in the states that produce beans on a commercial basis. This quantity is 1,680,000 bushels greater than the crop of 1928 when net imports of about a million bushels addi- tional were required to meet domestic needs. National production of beans in 1928 aggregated 17,656,000 bushels and in 1927, 16,181,000 bushels. Average production of all beans during the five years 1924-1928 was 17,327,000 bushels. Supplemented by net imports the average annual supply for domestic consumption during this 5-year period was about 18,000,000 bushels. Consumption of beans, however, tends to increase at the rate of about 500,000 bushels annually. During the period July 1, 1928, to July 1, 1929, a net total of 18 550,000 bushels moved into con- sumptive channels. The total United States production of 19,337,000 bushels in 1929 is closely in line with present domestic requirements. The December 1 average price to producers in the United States for their 1929 crop was $3.77 per bushel, compared with $4.18 in 1928, and $2.88 in 1927. In Montana, growers on this date were receiving an average of $3.60, compared with $3.85 a year ago, while in Idaho the price to growers was $2.75 compared with $3.60 a year ago, and in Wyoming $3.10, compared with $3.40 last year. SEED AND CANNING PEAS Due to fairly attractive prices being offered by seed houses and canners, acreages of seed and canning peas increased about 25 per cent over those of 1928. Yields were somewhat below those obtained in 1928 but production and total value reflected the increased acreage and better prices. The total value of pea production for both seed and canning peas was $1,046,000 in 1929, compared with $873,000 in 1928, and $687,000 for the 1927 crop. Acreage of seed peas declined from 28,000 acres in 1925 to 14,000 acres in 1927, but increased again in 1928 to 19,000 acres, and in 1929 the acreage was placed at 24,000. The acreage of canning peas increased from 2,800 acres in 1927 to 4,200 acres in 1929. Further increases in seed pea acreage will probably result if the 1930 contract prices are as favorable to growers as were those in 1929. Practically all the seed peas grown in the state after the canning acreage de- mand is met, are shipped to other states. Three factories are now located in Montana and are at Bozeman, Red Lodge and Stevensville. Montana conditions are favorable for the production of both seed and canning peas, offering a cash crop to irrigated farmers in the higher valleys of south central and western Montana. CORN Corn acreage in 1929 increased about 10 per cent over that of 1928. Acreage harvested in 1929 was estimated at 301,000 acres against 274,000 acres in 1928; 305,000 in 1927; 359,000 in 1926 and 420,000 in 1924, which was the peak of the upward trend in corn acreage that set in immediately after the close of the war. Acre yields in 1929 fell below those of 1928 due to drought conditions in the large corn producing areas, that is, eastern and northeastern Montana. Yield for the state was estimated at 12.0 bushels compared with 19.0 in 1928 and the 10-year average of 17.6 bushels. Quality of the 1929 crop, while somewhat above that of the year previous, was still below the 10-year average. Reporters' estimates for 1929 gave 54 per cent of the crop of grain com as being of merchantable quality compared with 49 per cent in 1928 and the 10-year average of 66 per cent. The bulk of the com acreage in Montana is usually cut for forage, grazed or hogged off, the percentage utilized in this manner being reported as 62.0 per cent in 1927 with 4.0 per cent being cut for silage and 34.0 per cent cut for grain. Utilization of corn acreages in Montana for the years during which this data was collected is shown herewith: 21 UTILIZATION OF CORN ACREAGE IN MONTANA (Based on averages supplied by crop reporters for their localities) For Forage Cut For Feed or For Grain For Silage Hogged Off Year % % % 1928 53.0 2.0 45.0 1924 35.0 4.0 61.0 1925 30.1 2.9 67.9 1926 23.0 3.0 74.0 1927 34.0 4.0 62.0 POTATOES Production of potatoes in Montana in 1929 fell below that of 1928 by about 53 per cent, while there was only a decrease of 11 per cent in the acreage. The 1929 crop as finally estimated was 1,980,000 bushels which were produced from 33,000 acres with an average acre yield of 60 bushels. The 1928 crop was 4,255,000 bushels which were produced from 37,000 acres making the average acre yield 115 bushels. The season started very favorably but the severe drought conditions that began in the early part of the summer caught the plants before the tubers had set and the potatoes on non-irrigated land generally gave a very low yield. Since 67 per cent of the state potato crop is grown on dry land the average yield was about half that of 1928. Potatoes under irrigation yielded almost as heavily as in 1928. The December 1, average price to growers for their 1929 potatoes was $1.70 per bushel compared with an average of 55 cents per bushel on December 1, 1928. Due to the higher price the value of the 1929 crop exceeded that of the 1928 crop by $1,026,000, or a total value of $3,336,000 for the 1929 crop against the value of $2,340,000 for the 1928 crop. SUMMARY OF POTATO RAIL SHIPMENTS BY CROP YEARS Total Number Per cent of Price Crop Production Cars Total Crop December (bushels) Shipped Shipped First 1923 3,960,000 757 11.4 $0.65 1924 2,992,000 420 8.4 0.87 1925 3,780,000 1,509 23.9 1.60 1926 2,975,000 886 17.8 1.20 1927 4,860,000 1,376 19.8 0.65 1928 4,255,000 756 10.7 0.55 1929 1,980,000 316* 1.70 ♦Movement to April 22. 1930. Shipping season August 1 to June 30. Unfavorable market conditions, which came about as a result of the con- tinued increase in acreage and yield from 1925 to 1928 caused the percentage of total crop shipped in that year to fall to 10.7 compared with 19.8 per cent in 1927 and the 5-year average of 15.3 per cent. Total shipments of the 1929 crop will be reduced compared with the 1928 crop but the percentage of the crop that is shipped will be materially increased, due tb prevailing high prices and favor- able market conditions. NATIONAL POTATO SITUATION During the 10 years preceding 1925 the potato acreage in the United States showed a downward trend. However, a steady increase in yields more than offset this decrease in acreage so that the total production increased each year while prices showed a downward trend. The 1925 acreage was smaller than any in the preceding 10 years and the average farm price was higher than at any time during that period. From 1925 to 1928 the acreage was increased each year, yield and production were increased and prices were lower each year until the low level of 1928 was reached. Stocks of old potatoes on hand always have an im- portant bearing on the outlook for the early potatoes of the coming crop season as well as the future marketings from the crop of that particular year. Stocks of potatoes on hand January 1, 1930, were probably about three-fifths of the quantity on hand January 1, 1929, and were probably the lowest since January 1, 1926. lAs the relatively light holdings on January 1, 1930, will probably find outlets at good prices the on-coming crop will have a very short carryover to contend with. APPLES Montana's production of apples in 1929 fell about 19 per cent below that of 1928 when production exceeded that of any year since 1923, the December esti- mate being placed at 420,000 bushels compared with 516,000 bushels in 1928. The commercial apple crop for 1929 was estimated at 125,000 barrels compared with 150,000 barrels in 1928. Prices to growers in 1929 were somewhat more favorable than those received in 1928, the average farm price on December 1 being $1.30 per bushel compared with $0.90 a year ago. The total value based on the December 1 average farm value was $546,000, compared with $464,000 in 1928. Shipments from the 1929 crop on March 15th, or the close of the shipping season, had reached 391 cars compared with 527 cars last year. (Shipping season August 20 to March 15th.) MONTANA APPLE PRODUCTION 1923-1929 Year Total Production Cars Shipped (bushels) By Rail 1923 990 , 000 451 1924 290,000 173 1925 80,000 29 1926 325 , 000 349 1927 295 , 000 149 1928 516,000 527 1929 420 , 000 391 APPLE OUTLOOK IN THE UNITED STATES Commercial production of apples in the United States will probably con- tinue to increase gradually for several years. However, the apple industry has recovered largely from the disturbed conditions which accompanied the rapid expansion of planting in the northwest and elsewhere 20 to 25 years ago, and the rate of increase in commercial production is expected to be less than during the years when these plantings affected production the most. The extent to which the industry has recovered and the tendency toward more moderate plantings in recent years is encouraging to the efficient commercial grower who produces fruit of high quality. But the large number of relatively young trees now planted indicates an increase in commercial production over a period of years as well as heavy production and low prices when weather and growing conditions are especially favorable throughout the apple areas. Notwithstanding the low pro- duction and the relatively good prices of 1927 and 1929, commercial plantings appear to be justified only where unusually favorable conditions exist for the economical production of good quality fruit. Evidence each year becomes more convincing that production in the north- west is near its peak. Yearly production in the boxed apple states during the last four years was 80 per cent higher than the average of 10 to 15 years ago, but only 4.5 per cent higher than the average 4 to 8 years ago. At the beginning of 1928 only 13 per cent of the trees reported in the survey of commercial orchards of the four principal western apple states, viz., Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California, were under 9 years of age. Recent plantings have been light and the removals in the less favorable sections have continued. About 70 per cent of the trees in the commercial orchards of these 4 states are less than 20 years old, but in the west as a whole no material increase in production is in sight. The boxed apple states contribute a large part of the increase in the commercial apple 23 production in the United States. Production in these states increased from about 19,000,000 bushels per year during the period 1903-1913, to about 55,000,000 bushels annually during the years 1925-1929. CHERRIES Sour cherries of the Montmorency and Morelli varieties grown for canning purposes in the Bitter Root valley and packed at Hamilton and Stevensville and a small commercial acreage of sweet cherries of the Bing and Lambert varieties grown along the shores of the Flathead lake make up the commercial cherry crop of Montana. Production is practically limited to that part of Montana west of the Continental Divide. In 1929 the pack of sour cherries was about 125 tons which, on a fresh fruit basis, was about 198 tons compared with 67 tons on the same basis in 1928, and 260 tons in 1927. Allowance for local and other consumption of sour cherries places the 1929 production at about 218 tons compared with 80 tons in 1928. Production of sweet cherries in 1929 was about 84,000 pounds compared with 80,000 in 1928 and 40.000 pounds in 1927. Practically all of this production origin- ates from the orchards along the shores of the Flathead lake. Total production of cherries for Montana in 1929 was estimated at 260 tons compared with 120 tons in 1928; 300 tons in 1927; 336 tons in 1926; 260 tons in 1925; and 200 tons in 1924. The census of 1920 found a total of 65,633 bearing trees and 4,073 trees of non-bearing age. The large bulk of these trees were found in counties making up the Bitter Root and Flathead valleys of western Montana. The present trend of production of both sour and sweet cherries is upward. In the case of sour cherries the canning factories have taken practically the entire production during the last four years. Planting of sour cherries during this period have averaged about 50,000 trees each year, according to the state horticulturist. STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN MONTANA Nineteen-twenty-nine, due to a late cold spring and later drought, was a season unfavorable for strawberry production in Montana and resulted in an estimated crop of 225,000 quarts compared with 450,000 quarts in 1928. For the 1929 crop Montana growers took about the same prices as in 1928 in spite of the shorter state crop, a large national crop tending to hold down the 1929 prices. The total value of the 1929 crop was about $32,000 compared with $65,000 which strawberries returned to Montana growers in 1928. NATIONAL OUTLOOK FOR STRAWBERRY GROWERS IN 1930 Prospects for strawberry growers now seem to be better than in any year since 1926. With material decreases in acreage among the second early and inter- mediate sections and only a moderate increase in picking in 1930 in the early states, the marketing problem should be greatly relieved this season, provided yields are not above average and the ripening periods are normal. Not only are smaller acreages in prospect for 1930 but there is a likelihood that lower yields per acre will occur in some districts. Old fields in a number of districts are in relatively poor condition because of drought last season and lack of care following low prices. Tentative reports indicate little change in the 1930 acreage in the late states compared with recent years. LIVESTOCK SECTION GENERAL REVIEW FOR 1929 The year 1929 was characterized by a severe summer drought which appar- ently forced larger marketings of both cattle and sheep than would otherwise have probably occurred. The forced marketings came both as a result of short feed supplies as well as in sales of livestock by farmers to supplement a reduced income from cash crops compared with 1928. The drought did not affect the early summer range either as to quantity or quality of feed, preceded as it was by favorable June moisture. Deterioration of ranges, however, began in the late summer and continued through the fall by which time water supplies were becoming short. Cattle and sheep coming off range feed were generally reported in good flesh, especially the early turnoff s. Drought generally reduced hay crops and fall range feed to a point where many stockmen felt obliged to reduce holdings. Some farm cattle and sheep were also sold as a result of the reduced income of growers from grain and other cash crops. On the other hand, both the calf crop and the lamb crop in 1929 were larger than in 1928, and under more favorable feed conditions would probably have resulted in a gain in cattle numbers and a larger gain in sheep holdings. In case of swine, the spring pig crop was slightly larger than in 1928, and the 1929 fall pig crop was the largest in several years. Prices for hogs through most of the 1929 season were also better than in 19-28. Under these conditions the 1929 marketings have been the largest in several years. Although present numbers of swine are about equal to those of a year ago, the number of breed- ing stock is somewhat smaller and the number of market hogs and pigs somewhat larger. MARKETINGS OF MONTANA LIVESTOCK IN 1929 During 1929, Montana growers shipped about 327,000 head of cattle and calves; 210 000 head of hogs; 350,000 head of sheep and 1,378,000 head of lambs, as indicated by available market and railroad records. The final marketing records for 1928 show comparable shipments of 344,000 head of cattle and calves; 153,000 head of hogs; 365,000 head of sheep and 1,075,000 head of lambs. Esti- mated total value of the shipments plus farm and local slaughter at prices pre- vailing through the season was about $49,901,000 in 1929, compared with $45,- 531,000 in 1928 and $40,085,000 in 1927. MONTANA ANNUAL LIVESTOCK SUMMARY OF NUMBERS AND VALUES Total numbers of cattle, sheep, swine, horses and mules in Montana on January 1, this year, were placed at 5,904,000 head worth $118,309,000, compared with 5,733,000 head worth $130,264,000 a year ago and 5,302. 000 head worth $109,- 405,000 two years ago, according to the annual livestock estimates of the State- Federal Crop Reporting Service. The increase of 3 per cent in present numbers compared with a year ago was brought about by increased sheep numbers, cattle, hogs and mules showing no change compared with a year ago, and horses showing a slight decline. The decline in total value of present livestock holdings compared with a year ago reflects the lower values per head for all classes of stock. In this de- cline, sheep values show the greatest proportional loss, the present average value per head of $9.30 being about 19 per cent lower than the average of $11.40 a year ago and about 15 per cent below the average value of $11.00 per head two years ago. It was likewise lower than any January 1 value since 1924 when the aver- age was $8.70 per head. The average value per head of cattle and calves on January 1, 1930, was $54.10, or about 9 per cent lower than a year ago when $58.10 was reported, and was the highest value since January 1, 1919. Compared with two years ago present values per head for all cattle, unlike sheep, are about 26 per cent higher and are likewise relatively much higher than any year preceding 1927 back to 1919. The average value of hogs on January 1, 1930, at $12.60 per head, was only moderately lower than that of a year ago but well under the average of $14.30 per head reported two years ago. LIVESTOCK NUMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES A continued decline in the horse population; a slight increase in numbers of all cattle; a fair increase in sheep and decreased swine numbers characterize the January 1, livestock estimates for the United States as issued by the crop reporting board. The report shows also a slight increase in the number of milk cows and larger numbers of heifers under two years old being kept for milk cows. Average values of livestock in the United States on January 1, 1930, show slight gains over a year ago in case of horses, mules and swine, a moderate re- duction in value per head of all cattle and a rather sharp reduction in the aver- age value per head of sheep and lambs. SWINE Montana's hog numbers have been growing steadily since 1926 rising from 250,000 head on January 1 of that year to 328,000 on January 1, 1929. Increase and decrease factors during 1929 left the January 1, 1930, number practically unchanged, but the breeding stock represented in the present total is somewhat less than a year ago. Total spring and fall pig crops in 1929 were about 8 per cent larger than in 1928. Marketings in 1929 were considerably larger than in the preceding year. Producers generally encountered a more favorable year than in 1928 as indicated by the total income from hogs which was $7,110,000 in 1929, compared with $5,262,000 in 1928. POULTRY Poultry growers did not find 1929 as profitable a year as 1928, especially turkey growers. Cold damp weather conditions during the early hatching season were unfavorable for saving the young poults and for developing those which survived. Later a hot, dry summer interfered with green feed and otherwise hampered poultry growers. Disease losses were about usual in case of chickens and a little larger in case of turkeys. Prices for chickens and eggs compared favorably with the preceding year throughout most of 1929, although breaking sharply below 1928 averages during the closing months of 1929. In case of turkeys a big national crop resulted in Montana growers receiving less for 1929 turkeys from the start. Later prices went even lower compared with those of 1928. Poultry income in Montana in 1929 was estimated at $4,098,000, compared with $4,314,000 in 1928 and $4,188,000 in 1927. MULES Montana has a small mule population which has shown a slight increase in recent years. The census of 1920 found 9,000 mules in the state and the present number is estimated at 11,000 head. 26 HORSES Montana's horse population in 1929 continued the downward trend that has been apparent since 1923. The present numbers of horses at 500,000 head represents the smallest horse inventory since 1915. Breeding of Montana horses for export from the state has practically ceased with the collapse of the demand that developed during the World war. Breeding for replacement of work stock has also decreased in recent years as the automobile and the tractor have been displacing the horse in Montana's crop production. Large numbers of unclaimed horses still run on the range in Montana, but these horses have been declared a nuisance by state law and are gradually being eliminated by both natural de- crease in winter seasons and by slaughter for canning. NUMBER OF HORSES IN MONTANA 1870 5.300 1920 669,000 1880 36 . 000 1925 590 . 000 1890 216 . 000 1928 531 . 000 1900 347 . 000 1929 515 , 000 1910 319.000 1930 500.000 BEES AND HONEY Both production and value of honey and wax in Montana in 1929 were lower than in 1928. BEES AND HONEY PRODUCTION BEES Year No. Farms Ni 1909 795 1919 1.199 1926 (est) 1,800 1927 1.800 1928 1.800 1929 1,800 CATTLE EXPORTS 1920-1929 Records of the Montana office of brand inspection show the following classi- fication of Montana cattle exports as steers, cows, calves and bulls for the period 1920 to 1929 inclusive. HONEY Wi \X 0. Hives Produced Va'.ue Produced Value (pounds) $ (pounds) $ 6.313 135.510 21.802 394 133 11,918 630.608 157.656 7,682 2,614 37.000 3.150.000 302,000 23,000 9.000 37.000 2.500.000 262.000 20,000 6.000 37.000 2.740.000 274.000 22,000 7,000 37.000 2,300.000 245,000 17,000 5,000 Year Steers Cows Calves Bulls % Total Head Total Exports ' c Classified (head) 1920 54.4 40.7 16.9 3.1 3.4 1.7 1.2 . 190.614 111.739 211,000 1921 78.5 147,000 1922 65.3 29.3 4.0 1.5 217.821 246,000 1923 55.0 37.2 6.0 2.0 258,040 343,000 1924 58.0 35.0 5.0 2.0 266.678 321,000 1925 51.4 41.1 5.7 1.7 • 335.408 407,000 1926 44.7 45.4 8.6 1.3 402.608 504,000 1927 52.2 41.9 4.5 1.4 254.755 330,000 1928 54.6 38.4 38.0 5.2 7.1 1.8 1.6 271.947 267,299 344.000 1929 53.3 329,000 FUR FARMING IN MONTANA Fur trapping, which in the ante-territorial days of the early part of the 19th century, drew to Montana hundreds of adventuresome frontiersmen in their ambition to profit by the taking of the pelts of the beaver and other fur bearing animals with which the northwest teemed, is rapidly being replaced by the fur farming industry in which hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested and from which more than a half million dollars was derived in pelts during 1929. The climatic conditions of Montana and its freedom from the diseases which affect wild animals in captivity has proved it to be a state offering the very 27 best opportunity for the production of high quality furs. It is believed that the number of fur farms of Montana practically doubled during 1929, and additional farms are constantly being installed. These farms are scattered well over the state with locations in more than half of the 56 counties. Probably the best successes have been made in the rais- ing of silver black foxes, to which many of the fur farmers devote their energies, although quite a number are breeding blue foxes. While many of the farms specialize in one kind of animal, most of them include several types of fur animals in their production schemes. Many, but not all, of the fur farmers have associated themselves into an organization, the Montana Fox and Fur Breeders association, which has a member- ship of 33. These farms are carrying about 300 pairs of silver black foxes and 100 blue foxes for breeding stock and their 1929 income for pelts alone was approxi- mately $200,000. Alaskan foxes are raised on some farms. Many muskrat farms are scattered about the state. At the close of 1929 the fur farms licensed under the state fish and game commission totalled 204, their permits including 21 different types of fur bearing animals. This number does not cover all the farms of the state as many find it unnecessary to take licenses because of not engaging in the raising of animals which have been taken under the jurisdiction of the commission. By reason of the combination of various types of production the licenses issued by the game commission indicate 52 different combinations. Of these 204 farms 117 raise mink, 81 muskrat, 47 marten, 43 foxes, 33 beaver. 13 raccoon, 6 rabbits, 5 fishers, 4 otter, 4 skunk, 4 badgers, 4 deer, and one each raising bear, lynx, elk and coyote. Four farms raise Chinese pheasants and one Canadian geese. During 1929, exclusive of the pelts of predatory animals, Montana produced pelts marketed under permits from the state fish and game commission numbered as follows: Muskrats 123,196; beaver 7,388; mink 6,336; foxes 2,667; raccoons 1,955; marten 987; bears 281, and otters 34. A RESUME OF THE NATIONAL OUTLOOK REPORT ON THE SHEEP INDUSTRY Sheep numbers in Montana during the past 10 years have increased from 2,230,000 head on January 1. 1921, to 3,913,000 head on January 1, 1930, which was a gain of 75.4 per cent. At the same time numbers in the United States increased 26.4 per cent from 38,690,000 head in 1921, to 48,913,000 head in 1930. Montana's wool production was 16,400,000 pounds in 1921, and 28,733,000 pounds in 1929, while the wool production in the United States (exclusive of pulled wool) rose from 235,129,000 pounds in 1921, to 308,947,000 pounds in 1929. Federally in- spected slaughter of sheep and lamps rose from 10,982,000 head in 1920, to 14,- 023,362 head in 1929. Estimates of world sheep numbers and wool production in complete form are not available for all countries. For 40 countries having 100,000 head of sheep and over, the 1928 numbers of sheep were 473,856,000 head compared with the 1921- 1925 average of 389,363,000 head. For wool the estimated world total exclusive of Russia and China was 3,217,000,000 pounds in 1928, compared with 2,903,000,000 pounds in 1925. From these comparisons is evident the expansion that has taken place in the sheep industry in Montana, the United States and internationally. EXPANSION NEAR PEAK Expansion of the sheep industry has been accompanied during the past 10 years by rising prices both for wool and lambs, over the first half of the period 28 "with peak prices reached in 1925. Since then prices have moved irregularly down- ward with a definite decline in 1929, especially for wool. Most observers of the sheep industry agree that the high point in the ex- pansion of sheep numbers in the United States has been reached. With lower price levels discouraging the holding back of ewe lambs it is expected that the yearly increase in flocks will soon go to increase the supplies of sheep and lambs for slaughter. Should this turning point come at a time when consumer demand is unfavorable it is hardly likely that the market can absorb the additional supply without a considerable reduction in price. On the wool side, the increase in world production which has occurred in recent years is not expected to continue much further and some reduction is now expected by 1931. Present demand conditions are not favorable but are expected to improve in the last half of 1930, and to favorably affect the marketing of the 1930 clip. The rising prices which encouraged the expansion of the sheep industry from 1921 to 1930, have already given way to lower levels which mean correspond- ing readjustments in breeding plans of sheepmen. Whether these readjustments are made gradually or suddenly will have an important bearing on the course of sheep and lamb prices during the next year or two. Prices for wool in 1929 showed early weakness and while prices for lambs during the first half of the year were relatively strong during the last half of 1929, feeder lambs had declined on an average of 75 cents per hundred below prices paid in the same period in 1928. PROSPECTS FOR 1930 PRICES World supply and demand conditions do not indicate much immediate improve- ment in the wool situation but if the expected revival in business conditions after the middle of 1930, takes place the demand for the 1931 wool clip should be af- fected favorably. In case of sheep and lambs if the present number of breeding ewes is main- tained and flock increases which have heretofore gone to increasing the numbers of breeding ewes are sold for market, the market will be called upon to absorb about two million head more than were slaughtered in the last marketing year, while any reduction of present stock sheep would increase market supplies still further. Any readjustment on part of sheepmen from a program of expansion of breeding ewes such as has taken place for the past several years, to merely maintaining these numbers would seem to indicate lower market prices for the increased market supplies resulting from such action. If in addition to increased market supplies from this source, there should be liquidation of holdings on part of high cost sheep producers the pressure on prices would be increased further. The course of 1930 prices will be governed largely by the rate at which re- adjustments are made by sheepmen. Obviously such readjustments to the new slaughter level should be made as gradually as possible on part of sheep pro- ducers and with the cooperation of the credit agencies who are financing the industry, since curtailment of credit that would force liquidation might result in greater risks than would the policy of permitting an orderly readjustment of production. MORE DISTANT OUTLOOK In the past, periods of low prices, such as those now prevailing for wool and as seem probable for lambs, have b^en followed by higher prices a few years later. Sheepmen would find it inadvisable to switch at this time from sheep to cattle since cattle prices are already declining and are expected to continue this trend for the next seven or eight years. Meanwhile an upward trend in lamb prices will in all probability be under way again before the next general advance in cattle prices begins. A RESUME OF THE 1930 OUTLOOK FOR BEEF CATTLE The high phase of the cycle of beef cattle prices which has prevailed since the latter part of 1927 is expected to continue through 1930, but prices for all grades through the entire year of 1930 may be somewhat lower than those of 1929, according to the beef outlook report issued by the U. S. Department of Agriculture early this year. Slaughter in 1930 will probably be about the same as in 1929 but demand in view of general business conditions is expected to be slightly less. Total inspected slaughter of cattle in 1929 was 8,324,000 head or about 2 per cent less than in 1928, and slaughter of calves was 4,489,000 head or about 4 per cent smaller. The 1929 decrease in slaughter was in cows, heifers and calves, steer slaughter being larger than in 1928. The decrease in calf slaughter was largely in beef type calves. BEEF CATTLE NUMBERS BEGIN TO SHOW INCREASE Total cattle numbers on farms in the United States on January 1, 1930, was 57,967,000. This was about 1,500,000 head or 2.7 per cent more than on January 1, 1929, and 2,291,000 more than in 1928, which was the low point in cattle numbers that accompanied the high point in the price cycle. The upward trend in cattle numbers promises to proceed at a moderate rate for the next year or two and may not be reflected in materially increased slaughter until the latter part of 1931. The slaughter for 1929 indicated that calves of beef type rather than steers were being held back to increase numbers, or, in other words, breeding stock was being increased. Cattlemen who contemplate an expansion of their operations face the pros- pect that cattle numbers will be increased generally over the period of several years with a consequent lowering of prices. This increase in cattle numbers and attendant increase in slaughter may be modified somewhat by a normal expansion of domestic demand caused by growth of population, but it seems likely that the present high level of cattle prices will induce the usual expansion of the industry, leading within the next six or seven years to an over-production and a period of low prices and subsequent liquidation. The immediate outlook for beef cattle is not discouraging to Montana pro- ducers. Market supplies of fed cattle during the first half of 1930 are expected to be about the same as in 1929. If there is any general move on part of dairy- men to cull their herds more closely than usual, market supplies of slaughter cattle other than fed stock during that period will be larger than in 1929. During the second half of 1930, supplies of fed cattle will be determined to a large extent upon trend of cattle prices during the first four or five months of the year and by the trend of corn prices. The supply for the summer and fall of 1930 will probably include a larger proportion of light cattle than in 1929. Market supplies of grass fat cattle and dairy cattle during the last six months of 1930 will probably be no larger than in 1929, with slaughter of such cattle compared with 1929,* depending upon the demand for stockers and feeders. Calf slaughter during the last half of 1930 will probably be smaller than in 1929. The general average of prices in 1930 is likely to be only slightly lower than in 1929. Prices of better grades of fed cattle will probably follow their usual seasonal advance, although the high point of this advance may be reached later than in 1929. Prices of lower grade slaughter cattle, which will take a seasonal downward turn during the second half of 1930, are not apt to reach lower averages than in 1929. ESTIMATED CLASSIFICATION OF MONTANA LIVESTOCK 1870 12,400t 1880 ll,500t 1883 14,000 1884 14.200 1885 23,000 1886 25,300 1887 29,000 1888 31,000 1889 31,400 1890 33,000 1891 34,000 1892 35,700 1893 36.400 1894 36.400 1895 39.000 1896 42,000 1897 43,000 1898 42.700 1899 44.000 1900 48,500t 1901 49,400 1902 50,000 1903 52,400 1904 53.900 1905 5^,000 1906 61,600 1907 66,000 1908 69.000 1909 75.000 1910 80,000 1911 80,000* 1912 91.000 1913 95.000 1914 104.000 1915 114,000 1916 125.000* 1917 140,000* 1918 150,000* 1919 163,500* 1920 178,000 1921 181.000 1922 185.000 1923 192.000 1924 209.000 1925. 223,000 1926 225.000 1927 217,000 1928 212.000 1929 213.000 1930 213.000 JANUARY 1, 1870-1930 ^ ^ other Cattle All Cattle Horses i Sheep ^16 B5 Swine Mules 24,000t 36,400 5,300t 2.000t 2,600t 900t 162,000t 173,500 36,000t 185,0001 10,500t 590,000 604,000 39,900 405.000 17,000 900 672.000 686,800 45,900 466,000 17,500 1,000 615.000 638,000 105,000 625.000 19,000 2,800 725.700 751,000 120,700 719,000 19.000 8,900 812,800 841.800 129,000 755,000 20,000 9,200 934.500 965.500 187,000 1.265,000 22,000 5,500 962,600 993,900 200,000 1,391,000 23,000 5,300 981,800 1.014,800 216,000 1,990.000 29,000 2,400 932,700 966.700 152.000 2,089.000 35,000 1,800 1.026,000 1.061,700 197.000 2.089.000 35.000 1.200 1.036.000 1.072.400 207.000 2.528.000 39,000 1.200 1,057.000 1.093.000 197.000 2.781.000 39,000 900 1,078.000 1,117,000 198.000 2.809.000 46,000 900 1,154.000 1.196.000 183.000 3.061.000 52,000 900 1,177,000 1,220,000 175.000 3.123.000 51,000 900 1.082.000 1.510,000 171,000 3.248.000 47,000 900 953.000 997.000 165.000 3.378.000 42,300 1,000 926.500t 975,000t 347,000t 6,170,000t 50,000t 2,800t 960.200 1.009.600 302,000 6.417.000 47,000 3,400 998.000 1,048,000 275.000 5.081,000 49,000 3,400 1,048.000 1.101.000 246,600 5.120.000 51,700 3,400 1,059.000 1,112,900 244,000 5.270.000 54,800 3,400 1,048,000 1.103,000 236.800 5,639,000 57,600 3,400 965.000 1,026.000 239,000 5,752,000 59,900 3,600 916,300 982,300 292,000 5.637.000 62,900 4,000 879,000 948.000 292,000 5.524.000 66,000 4,000 905.000 980,000 304.000 5.634,000 68,000 5,000 842.000 922.000 319,000 5,747.000 • 75,000 5,000 818.000* 898,000 344,000 5.230.000* 124,000 4,500* 732,000 823,000 350,000* 4.926,000* 145,000 5,000* 950.000* 845.000 385,000* 4.675.000* 168,000* 5,500* 826.000* 930.000 440.000* 3.850.000* 187,000* 6,000* 836.000 950.000 485.000* 3.340.000* 245,000* 6,500* 1,035.000* 1.170.000 520,000* 3.020.000* 270,000* 7,000* 1.114.000* 1.254,000 580.000* 2.670.000* 260.000* 7.500* 1.310.000* 1.460.000 640.000* 2.380.000* 202.000* 8,500* 1.447.000* 1,610,000 720.000* 2,530.000* 180.000* 9,000* 1,192.000 1.370,000 669,000 2,450,000 167,000 9,000 1.088.000 1.269,000 669.000 2.328.000 160.000 9.000 1,195.000 1,380.000 650,000 2,561,000 180,000 10,000 1,168.000 1,360.000 643.000 2,408.000 225,000 10,000 1.151,000 1.360.000 611.000 2.480.000 292.000 11,000 1.117.000 1,340.000 596,000 2.579.000 280,000 11,000 1,055.000 1.280.000 576.000 2.880.000 250,000 11,000 897.000 1.114.000 547.000 3.053,000 240,000 11,000 902.000 1.114.000 531.000 a. 358. 000 288.000 11.000 939.000 1.103.000 515.000 3.727.000 328.000 11,000 939.000 1.152.000 500.000 3.913.000 328,000 11,000 Note: Many earlier estimates were made to exact figures. In the above table figures have been rounded to even thousands or even hundreds, t Based upon Census Data. * Tentative Revisions. All other figures are United States Department of Agriculture Estimates. ^-^ 31 FARM ANIMALS ON MONTANA FARMS AND RANCHES JANUARY 1, 1930 (In Thousands of Head) 1928 Species and Class Revised 1. ALL HORSES 531 Horses 2 years and over 454 r-lt=! 2 years 77 Colts 1 year and under 2 89 Colts under 1 year 88 2. ALL MULES 11 Mules 2 years old and over .• 8 Mule colts under two years old 8 Mule colts 1 year and under 2 2 Mule colts under 1 year old 1 8. ALL CATTLE 1.114 4. Cows and Heifers 2 years and over for milk cows.. 177 6. Heifers 1 year and under 2 for milk cows 35 Heifer Calves for milk cows 38 Cows and Heifers 2 years and over not for milk.... 355 Heifers 1 year and under 2. not for milk 100 Calves, except Heifers, for milk 273 Steers 1 year and over 115 Bulls 1 year and over 21 6. ALL SWINE 288 Pigs under 6 months 180 Sows and gilts 57 Other hogs over 6 months 101 7. TOTAL SHEEP AND LAMBS 3,358 Sheep and lambs on feed 100 Ewe lambs for breeding 700 Wether and Ram lambs 1 year and under 14 Ewes 1 year and over 2,475 Rams and Wethers 1 year and over 69 1929 1930 Revised Preliminary 615 500 489 425 76 75 88 39 87 36 11 11 9 9 2 2 1 1 1 1 1,152 1.152 186 186 37 37 41 41 865 370 102 102 279 279 119 114 28 23 828 828 150 155 68 60 110 113 3,727 3.913 96 126 750 684 15 15 2,794 3.011 72 77 LIVESTOCK ESTIMATES FOR MONTANA AND THE UNITED STATES AS OF JANUARY 1, 1930 TOTAL NUMBERS JANUARY 1 TOTAL VALUE JANUARY 1 Montana ' 1928 1929 1930 1928 1929 1930 All Horses 531.000 515.000 500.000 $ 16.505.000 $ 15,996,000 $ 15,048,000 All Mules 11.000 11.000 11,000 516.000 517,000 494,000 All Cattle 1.114.000 1.152.000 1.152.000 51.267.000 66,940,000 62,335,000 All Sheep 3,358.000 3,727.000 3.913.000 37.002.000 42,508,000 36.315.000 All Swine 288.000 328.000 328.000 4.115,000 4,303,000 4,117,000 STATE TOTAL 5.302.000 5,733.000 5.904.000 $109,405,000 $180,264,000 $118,309,000 Milk Cows* 177.000 186.000 186,000 $ 11,151,000 $ 14,694,000 $ 14,332,000 JANUARY 1 NUMBERS VALUE PER HEAD United States 1929 1930 1929 1930 All Horses 13.905.000 13.440.000 $70.21 $70.71 All Mules 5.390.000 5.322.000 82.34 83.00 All Cattle 56.467.000 57.967.000 59.15 57.28 All Sheep 47.509,000 48,913.000 10.61 8.90 All Swine 56,880.000 , 52.600,000 13.00 13.64 * Includes cows and heifers two years old and over kept for milk purposes. Item included above with all cattle numbers and values. 32 MONTANA DAIRY REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1929 (By B. F. Thrailkill, Chief of Dairy Division) Following is the monthly production of butter, ice cream, and cheese in Montana for 1929 as compared with the same period in 1928: BUTTER (Lbs.) ICE CREAM (Gals.) CHEESE (Lbs.) 1929 1928 1929 1928 1929 1928 January 1,000,962 986,613 28,579 30,974 168,161 101,624 February 960,360 916,535 32,150 36,757 147,197 101,160 March 1,034,389 938,557 50,751 51.066 162,428 126,342 April 1,123,811 1,021,391 64,614 62,609 172,708 152.401 May 1,534,011 1,610,558 98,900 125,195 230,645 244.877 June 2,139,998 2,020,865 134,812 105,043 194,407 293.070 July 2,195,030 2,067,809 190,690 156,010 160,329 283.306 August 1,826,423 1,901,120 179,054 133,867 163,329 260,014 September 1,468,122 1,490,737 78,975 79,284 136,761 236.544 October 1,423,774 1,359,916 59,867 52,086 137,113 207,772 November 1,023,555 1,040,776 38,383 41,115 110,818 176.424 December 954,032 1.008,955 33.519 34.044 109.598 163.874 Totals 16,684,437 16,363,832 990,294 908,050 1,893,494 2,347,408 PRODUCTION BY ZONES BUTTER Zone 1929 1928 1 3,123,187 2,852,718 2 2,989,924 3,090,490 3 3,077,701 2,979,642 4 1,494,341 1,610,147 5 , 1,235,129 1,219.932 6 2,323,551 2,090,463 7 2,162,724 2.334.663 8 277.880 185.777 ICE 1929 128,409 282,963 257.687 CREAM 1928 111,743 262,742 225,878 54.002 60,493 99.639 47.351 46.202 CHEESE 1929 1928 1,229,725 1,714,782 227,348 186,457 51,715 58,381 112,610 48.529 45,785 258,109 132,527 49,930 293,788 102,451 50.100 There were 116,391 pounds of butterfat shipped oat of the state from stations in zone 1; 74,525 pounds from zone 2; 53,190 pounds from zone 6; 54,229 pounds from zone 7 and 788,872 pounds from zone 8, making a total of 1,087,207 pounds. KEY TO ZONES Zone 1: Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties. Zone 2: Granite, Powell, Lewis & Clark, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, Madison, Silver Bow, and Beaverhead counties. Zone 3: Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Pondera, Teton, Cas- cade and Chouteau counties. Zone 4: Fergus, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Golden Valley, Wheatland and Petroleum counties. Zone 5: Meagher, Broadwater, Gallatin, Park, and Sweet Grass counties. Zone 6: Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, Big Horn, and Treasure counties. Zone 7: Rosebud, Custer, Fallon, Carter, and Powder River counties. Zone 8: Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Garfield, McCone, Richland, Dawson, Prairie and Wibaux counties. BUTTER EXPORTS Total butter shipped out of state California 2,767,091 Washington 2,691,182 Idaho 358,050 Chicago 205,528 Indiana 21,376 Boston 75,953 Oleomargarine sold in Montana during 1929 totaled 196,882 pound.s. 6 929 ,430 pounds. 1,440 2,616 31.471 21,344 448 324 SHIPPED Minnesota North Dakota .... New York Ohio TO 209,314 26,486 443,907 256 66,980 5,664 Tennessee South Dakota .. . Wyoming Maine Oregon Pennsylvania Colorado Iowa