STATE DOCUMENT!^

MONTANA FARM

REVIEW

Volxxme HI

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
930 East Lyndale Avenue
Helenor Monfano 5960T

SEP 4.

Montana State Librai

3 0864 1004 5710 3

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

FOR 1924
VOLUME III

Issued by

THE MONTANA COOPERATIVE CROP REPORTING SERVICE

J. G. DIAMOND, Agricultural Statistician.
HELENA, MONTANA.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

Washington, D.C.

H. C. TAYLOR, Chief of Bureau

and

MONTANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Helena, Montana

CHESTER C. DAVIS, Commissioner

Cooperating

JOINT BULLETIN

This Publication is Issued and Circulated by Authority of the State of Montana.

FOREWORD

Volume 3 of the Montana Farm Review is a current review of the
1924 season of agriculture in Montana with such comparative data as will
afford as nearly as possible a complete picture of agriculture in the
state as it finds itself at the close of 1924.

Statistics of production and farm value of crops and livestock con-
tained herein are compiled by the Montana Cooperative Crop Reporting
Service, which is a unit of the Division of Crop and Livestock Estimates,
of the U. S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics, cooperating with the
Montana State Department of Agriculture and with the Extension Service
of the Montana State College.

The estimates of crop acreage and production are those of the
division of the United States Department of Agriculture, crops for 1924
and livestock for January 1, 1925, being subject to revision, and those
for preceding years being revisions for those years.

County figures are those prepared under direction of the federal
statistician both from information collected through more than three
thousand voluntary reporters to the federal service and from informa-
tion compiled from the annual state farm census.

The tables showing relative farm income from crops and livestock
in 1924, are compiled by the Montana State Department of Agriculture,
based on the federal estimates of production and farm value, and must
be interpreted in a relative sense, to show the approximate difference
between these returns in both years, rather than to be actual measure of
the returns in either year, which is not the point sought.

CHESTER C. DAVIS, JAY G. DIAMOND,

Commissioner of Agriculture. Agricultural Statistician.

Farm Income 1924 and 1923.

Prominent among all the other facts concerning Montana's agriculture in the
1924 crop season is the fact that total cash returns from sales of crops, livestock
and other products greatly exceeded the aggregate of a year ago and were likewise
better than any year since the war period. After four years of struggle to adjust
stubbornly high production costs to stubbornly low market prices for his principal
cash crops, the Montana farmer has suddenly found an unexpected ally in the old
law of supply and demand which has lifted the price of wheat, his principal surplus
crop to a point where cash returns have left a margin available for cleaning up old
indebtedness and to some extent for financing new purchases.

Cash returns to agriculture are difficult to determine with any great exactness
yet estimates can be arrived at, by computing, at average farm prices, from statistics
of production of crops and marketings of livestock, the approximate quantities of
both sold. Estimates of this nature having been made by the Montana State Depart-
ment, for Montana's crops, livestock and livestock products on the same basis for
the years 1923 and 1924, it is possible to arrive at a measure of the cash return in
both years.

The value of crops sold from 1923 production and livestock and livestock pro-
ducts marketed in 1923 and similar valuations for 1924 were as follows:
Year. Cash from Crops. Cash from Livestock, Etc. Total.

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

1924 74,367,000 53,814,000 128,181,000

Cash from crops it will be noted increased more than half of their 1923 total
compared with a moderate increase for livestock and livestock products, and in
1924 reversed position with livestock as making up the larger share of the total of
both.

Table I.

FARM CASH INCOME 1923 AND 1924.
(From Crops and Livestock Items Sold.)

FROM CROPS SOLD:

1923.

1924.

All wheat

Oats

Barley

Rye

Flax

Corn

All Hay

Potatoes

Apples

Beans

Peas (Seed and Canning)

Alfalfa Seed

Miscellaneous Seed Crops

Truck Crops Sold

Miscellaneous Fruits

Sugar Beets

Total from Crops Sold

$33,008,000

$54,327,000

1,434,000

1.866,000

167,000

321,000

157,000

318,000

1,474,000

4,873,000

422,000

911,000

3,911,000

4,176,000

998,000

992,000

445,000

200,000

880,000

1,110,000

533,000

569,000

210,000

305,000

50,000

60,000

300,000

320.000

70,000

50,000

2,725,000

3,969,000

$46,784,000

$74,367,000

FROM LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS:

Meat Cattle

$20,900,000
7,115,000
7,643,000
6,750,000
3,600,000
2,994,000
1,700,000
170.000

$18,504,000

Sheep and Lambs

9,484,000

Wool

8,692,000

Milk and Dairy Products

7.282,000

Hogs

4,850,000

AU Poultry and Eggg

2,926,000

Holies (raised and sold)

1,900,000

Honey and Wax

176,000

Total from Livestock and Livestock Products

$50,872,000

$53,814,000

Combined Total from Crops and Livestock Sources... |

$97,656,000!

$128,181,000

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Table I shows the distribution of income from various sources included under
the main headings of crops and livestock. Figure I shows comparative distribution
of income from principal sources in both years. From these data it will be seen that
in the case of crops the bulk of the increase comes in the greatly improved return
from wheat, although all crops with the principal exceptions of potatoes and apples,
also show increases. Among the less important crops, flax stands out as more
than trebling its 1923 income, due both to a better price and a greatly increased pro-
duction.

In the livestock group, meat cattle fell off in their contribution to the 1924 total,
although this decline was more than offset by increased returns from sheep and
lambs, wool, hogs, and milk and dairy products. Returns from all poultry and
eggs were practically the same as last year. Income from horses marketed and
value of colts raised also indicated an improvement over last year as a result ol
an increase in numbers marketed.

Considering the farmer, the cattleman and the sheepman as three importam
units of the state's agricultural industry, it will be noted that two of these units, the
farmer and the sheepman, have enjoyed a relatively prosperous year, their present
favorable position resulting largely from improvement in market prices of their com-
modities. On the other hand the cattleman is still struggling along with relatively
low prices for beef compared with production costs, the same dilemma out of which
the farmer and the sheepman have escaped, the former for the time being at least,
and the latter somewhat more permanently. During the past year the general
prospect of the beef grower has recorded a slight improvement and there is some
consolation in the general belief that this improvement will continue.

Figure I.

192,3 _ ^ S7,&5^ 000

FARM INCOME FROM CROPS AND LIVESTOCK SOLD
(ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF EACH CROP SOLO TiMES AVERAGE FARM PRICE)

1924 » 128,181.000

Income 1924 Compared Tvlth 1923 by Districts and Counties.

Figure II shows a distribution of total crop and livestock income by crop districts
of the state, with relative income from 1923 and 1924 crops and livestock, and per-
centage of change. The distribution of the increased income in 1924 was such as to
give practically all districts in the state a better showing than In 1923, but the
marked Improvement came where it was most needed, throughout the wheat growing
areas and particularly in the north-central, north-eastern and eastern districts. In

MONTANA CROPS

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TOTAL
(1924)
$97,651
OF 19

Ls ^^

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STATE
COME
(1923)
131.2*

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Estimated cash farm Income by counties from crops sold In 1923 and 1924.
Counties are arranged according to 1923 rank.

(Year 1923 represented by white, 1924 by black bars.)

MONTANA CROPS

Figure IT.

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Estimated combined casli farm income by counties from
In 1923 and 1924. Counties are arranged according to 1923 ra

(Year 1923 represented by wliite, 1924 by

crops

and

livestock

items

sold

nk.

black

bars

.)

8 MONTANA FARM REVIEW

the districts where livestock is important, southwestern, south-central and central
districts a decline in returns from beef cattle was more than offset by increased
income from crops and from sheep and wool in those districts.

A further analysis of income by counties is shown in table II following and in
graphs of county income on pages 6 and 7- In the graphs 1923 values are
shown by white bars and 1924 income by black bars. 1923 rank of counties is used
in both graphs and it is interesting to note the changes in rank for 1924. Sheridan
county, in total cash income in 1924, ranks next to Fergus, displacing Yellowstone
to third place. Roosevelt, Richland, Valley and Blaine, come up next in order and
displace Beaverhead, Cascade, Judith Basin and Gallatin. In general, most of the
changes in rank resulted in sections of the state where wheat and flax crops are
important.

Monthly Distribntioii Farm Income.

The peak of marketings of farm crops comes in the fall months September to
November, and usually in the month of October, Likewise cattle shipments reach
their peak in this same period. Farm income, therefore, will follow this distribution,
rising sharply with the early market movement in August, and reaching a peak
some time in October or November, from which point it will fall off to a minimum
in July, the end of the crop season.

A hypothetical monthly distribution of income from crops sold and to be sold
from 1924 production is shown in figure V and is based on the assumption that
monthly marketings of all crops have conformed to the average of eight principal
crops in the past five years. The difference between this distribution and the actual
would probably be that of a little sharper peak in October and a slightly lower close-
of-season minimum, since shipment data available at this date, indicate that farmers
have disposed of somewhat more of their grain crops than usual during the fall
months. In the grap'h is indicated the large ratio of income from wheat to that
from all crops.

Income from livestock and total crop and livestock income in a general way
would follow this graph, since marketings of livestock follow closely the peaks and
low points for crops.

Figure V.
(his ^ep Oct ^ov Dec T^n .F^b Mar ePt W44 Time Jii»v^

f9U CROPS

WHETAT

16

S',—

Distribution of farm income from crops sold and to be sold from 1924 production.

MONTANA CROPS

Table II.

HYPOTHETICAL VALUE OF CROPS, LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS SOLD

BY FARMERS BASED ON RELATIVE PERCENTAGE OF STATE TOTALS OF CROP

AND LIVESTOCK INCOME IN EACH COUNTY FOR 1923 AND 1924.

DISTRICJT

AND 1923 1924 1923 1924 1923 1924

COUNTY. Crops Crops Livestock Livestock Total Total

NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead 876,100 1,033,000 351,500 388,750 1,227,600 1,421,750

Lincoln 98,600 82,900 134,500 127,500 233,100 210,400

Lake 584,300 747,900 289.500 352,750 873,800 1,100,650

Sanders 183,900 216,900 322,500 318,000 506,400 534,900

NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine 1,001,000 1,755,400 1,867,000 2.012,750 2,868,000 3,768,150

Chouteau 1,240,900 2,225,200 1,084,000 1,158,750 2,324,900 3,383,950

Glacier 298,800 379,200 584,600 604,500 883,400 983,700

HiU 766,000 1,649,000 670,000 746,750 1,436,000 2,395,750

Liberty 195,800 400,000 233,500 240,250 429,300 640,250

Pondera 654,600 1,387,600 655,500 758,500 1,310,100 2,146,100

Teton 1,942,000 1,742,400 882,500 886.500 2,824,500 2,628,900

Toole 101,500 310,300 428,000 486,000 529,500 796,300

northeaste'rn—

Daniels 1,498,900 2,463,800 433,500 495,000 1,932,400 2,958,800

Phillips 791,300 1,231,300 ■ 1,267,000 1,398,000 2,058,300 2,629,300

Roosevelt 1,285,300 4,244,100 570,500 602,250 1,855,800 4,846,350

Sheridan 1,933,700 6,034,700 888,000 928,000 2,821,700 6,962,700

Valley 1,541,300 3,709,100 1,421,500 1,600,250 2,962,800 5,309,350

WEST CENTRAL—

Deer Lodge 144,800 113,900 228,300 223.250 373,100 337,150

Granite 244,800 235,500 424,000 428,000 668,800 663,500

Mineral 29,900 44,600 35,300 33,250 65,200 77,850

Missoula 886,100 908,100 558,000 537,000 1,444,100 1,445,100

Powell 313,300 342.100 1,229,300 1,396,500 1,542,600 1,738,600

Ravalli 1.073,400 782,100 1,131,500 1,137,000 2,204,900 1,919,100

CENTRAL—

Broadwater 389,900 486,900 679,000 684,500 1,068,900 1,171,400

Cascade 2,214,100 1,925,500 1,556,000 1,688,000 3,770,100 3,613,500

Fergus 4,248,500 6,290,800 2,271,500 2,315,500 6,520,000 8,606,300

Golden Valley 476,000 557,200 492,500 527,000 968,500 1,084,200

Jefferson 270,500 277,600 510,000 507,000 780,500 784,600

Judith Basin 2,195,100 2,258,800 1,057,000 1,107,500 3,252,100 3,366,300

Lewis and Clark .... 460,300 431,800 1,348,000 1,395,500 1,808,300 1,827,300

Meagher 208,900 209,100 1,609,500 1,835,500 1,818.400 2,044,600

Musselshell 455,800 515,900 592,000 638,500 1,047,800 1,154,400

Wheatland 661,600 454,000 1,167,900 1,262,500 1,829,500 1,716,500

EAST CENTRAL—

Dawson 855,000 1,752,500 755,600 814,000 1,610,600 2,566,500

Garfield 509,400 741,100 1,066,000 1,200,000 1,575,400 1,941,100

McCone 658,100 1,426,500 815,500 88S,750 1,473,600 2,312,250

Prairie ' 418,800 1,028,500 550,500 602,300 969,300 1,630,800

Richland 1,194,100 4,104,400 760,000 780,500 1,954,100 4,884,900

Wibaux 437,000 1,385,200 352,200 368,000 789,200 1,753,200

SOUTHWESTERN—

Beaverhead 757,700 827,400 3,152,900 3,205,000 3,910,600 4,032,400

Madison 822,300 976,600 2,110,000 2,243,500 2,932.300 3,220,100

Silver Bow 70,500 71,000 313,500 320.200 384.000 391,200

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Carbon 1.065,900 1,643,200 967,000 980,800 2,032,900 2,624,000

Gallatin 2,004,600 2,265,700 1,136,000 1.111,150 3,140,600 3,376,850

Park 793,200 778.400 1,115,500 1,158,300 1,908,700 1.936,700

Stillwater 939,600 1,541,300 971,500 1,058.800 1,911,100 2,600.100

Sweet Grass 657,800 832,100 1,321,400 1,442,800 1,979,200 2,274,900

Yellowstone 3,344,600 4,527,900 1,366,500 1,417,200 4,711,100 5,945.100

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn 1,090,800 1,278,400 1,529,400 1,473,200 2,620,200 2.751.900

Carter 183,600 329,600 1,301,000 1,462,500 1,484,600 1,792,100

Custer 260,300 482,500 1,039,000 1,053,200 1,299,300 1,535,700

Fallon 485,200 1,300,800 545,700 582,000 1,030,900 ,1,882,800

Powder River 180,600 248,200 1,227,500 1,202,500 1,408,100 1,450,700

Rosebud 366,200 864.500 1,158,400 1,269,800 1,524,600 2,134,300

Treasure 422,000 514,200 343,500 361,500 765,500 875,700

Total 46,784,300 74,367,000 50,872,000 53,814,000 97,656,000 128,181,000

NOTE: The above valuations are computed by the Montana State Department of Agricul-
ture in co-operation with the Federal Statistician from U. S. Department of Agriculture
statistics of production and farm value and State Farm Census returns.

10

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

How Montana Crops are Shipped.

Figure VI shows the monthly percentage of seasonal carlot shipments for eight
principal Montana crops, and is based on carlot shipments as reported to the Mon-
tana State Railroad Commission during the period August 1920 to July 1924. The
monthly percentage for each crop is the average moved in that month during this
four year period, and the monthly percentage for all crops is the percentage that
moved each month of the total (140,425) cars. It will be noted that various crops
reach peaks in different months, but that the large ratio of wheat shipments to the
total, brings the weighted trend of all crops quite closely to that of wheat. Both
apples and potatoes reach a very high peak in October and fall off sharply during
the winter months, potatoes recovering to a secondary peak in April, but apples
falling off to a minimum. A secondary peak appears in April for potatoes and in
May for flax. With the former a cleaning up of pit-stored stocks occurs about this
time, and with flax, seed demand appears to be partly responsible for increased
spring shipments. Hay shipments reach a peak in March when demand for winter
feed appears to reach a maximum, while both corn and oats tend to follow hay, in-
dicating the extent to which they supplement hay as feed.

Farm Prices 1923 and 1924.

On page 11 is reproduced a table of prices for important farm products in Mon-
tana by months for 1923 and 1924. These averages are estimates of the U. S. Bureau
of Agricultural Economics, and are made as of date the 15th of each month. They
are what are termed farm prices, and seek to show prices at the farm as distin-
guished from market prices.

Figure VI.

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A

Oct

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Nov

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Jan fieb A\ar Apr A^ay X^e iy'\f

HOW MOHT^Hk CROPS ARE SHIPPED

A^e^Age Percenfi,ge of Seasonal C&riot shipmen-ts
of eighi Firm producfs "tt».f moue during fhe
i/arioui months of iht Crop Season

6ase</ on %« movemtrdof I40,40S cars oF farm
products ^urmg/ngihc period AUG 1320 io
JULY 192^

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12

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Crop Production Statistics

Total Tonnage Produced 1921 and 1923.

Total tonnage of 10 principal crops, corn, all wheat, oats, barley, rye, flax, all
hay, potatoes, beans and apples, aggregated 5,278,721 tons in 1924 compared with
5,092,389 tons in 1923, an increase of about 3.7 per cent. Actual total tonnage of all
crops considering the very high ratio of those named above to the total, would be
but slightly larger in both years. Prom a crop production standpoint, 1924 returned
more gross tons than any preceding year in the state's history, 1923 having held that
same record. It follows that both years were very favorable ones, yet both were not
without poor spots in some sections of the state. In 1923 the eastern and north-
eastern counties suffered reduction in grain yields as a result of dry weather in
early June and later rust damage. In 1924 this area has out-yielded any recent year,
and although more extensive dry weather damage than in 1923 developed in central
sections of the state and in most of the area west of the continental divide, the
gain in tonnage in the eastern third of the state more than offset this situation. In
the following table, production estimates of all crops have been reduced to tons for
better comparison of total crop out-turn of both years.

CROP:

1924 Tonnage

1923 Tonnage
(Revised)

Corn

All Wheat

Oats

Barley

Rye

Flax

All Hay .
Potatoes

Beans

Apples

Total

257,544

1,550,040

317,614

74,4(00!

49,0001

57,858i

2,8'48,000|

97,6801

12.2401

14,350!

265,720

1,431,240

355,344

64,372

48,048

2«,295

2,756,000

118,800

7,920

24.750

5,278,721'

5,092,389

Acreage Shifts 1924.

Total acres devoted to eleven crops in 1924 numbered 6,904,000 compared with
6,545,000 acres in 1923 and 6,774,000 acres the average total of these crops for the
five year period 1920-1924. Total acreage in 1924 of the crops named was 5.4 per
cent larger than in 1923 and 1.9 per cent larger than their five-year average.

Acreages of corn, winter wheat, barley, flax, tame hay, beans and potatoes in-
creased in 1924 compared with 1923, while decreases were recorded for spring wheat
and rye, with oats and wild hay acreages unchanged. During the five year period,
corn, barley, rye, tame hay and beans have increased rather widely from their 1920
basis, while both winter and spring wheat show moderately strong reductions. This
has been largely the effect of post-war conditions, and Montana farmers who were
operating almost exclusively as wheat growers in 1920 have diversified appreciably
during the past five years. Among crops not mentioned above are sugar beets and
canning and seed peas which in recent years have made substantial acreage gains.

Reduction in spring wheat acreage in 1924 came largely as a result of dissatis-
faction with prevailing prices at seeding time, winter wheat acreage being larger by
reason of a smaller winter abandonment. Part of the wheat acreage was devoted to more
oats and barley. Rye also was decreased In 1924 as a result of market prices, and
flax was greatly increased to provide a cash crop to supplement wheat. Corn
acreage following a very successful year in 1923 was also increased strongly, al-
though the crop has probably suffered somewhat in popularity by this year's ex-
perience with a very poor brand of corn weather.

MONTANA CROPS

13

Tame hay is another crop the acreage of which has trended upwards in recent
years. The bulk of the tame hay in the state is alfalfa and grain hay, and it is in
the former that a good share of the increase has occurred.

Acreage Trends Since 1920.

A study of acreage tendencies during the past five years is shown in Figure
VII which depicts various crop acreages for the years 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924, as
a percentage of their 1920 acreages, shown in the graph as 100 per cent.

The diversification trend of this period is shown by the increases in feed crops
of corn, oats, barley and tame hay to balance a curtailment of wheat acreage. Rye
shows a big increase in 1922 that was not followed through as was the case of the
other crops named. The bulk of the rye crop is grown as a farm feed, although
varying percentages are marketed when prices are attractive. As a feed crop rye
has been losing apparently in favor of corn and barley. Prices until last fall (1924)
have not been favorable for its production as a cash crop. Flax acreage which was
reduced sharply during the first two years of this period recovered strongly in 1923
and 1924 due to favorable yields and good market prices.

OogaoeL
loo 07J, J*

9o

80

Figure TD

^

■7^ ■>---»v -tys-^

W/>-ter Wheat

The graph above shows acreage of important crops in 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924
as a percentage of their 1920 base acreages, considered as 100 per cent, and de-
picts the diversification tendencies of the period.

14

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Production Shifts 1924.

Larger crops of spring wheat, winter wheat, barley, rye, flax, tame hay, and
beans were secured in 1924 compared with 1923. In the case of spring wheat and
rye the larger production came from an acreage smaller than in 1923. In other
cases acreage increases were largely responsible. Corn, oats, potatoes, wild hay and
apples gave smaller production than in 1923, although this reduction was relatively
unimportant except in the case of apples, which as a result of a heavy June freeze
in the important Bitter Root valley, suffered a 42 per cent cut in the total crop.
Corn production in spite of a greatly increased acreage, fell somewhat below the 1923
crop when final yields were tabulated, the past season having been one of the most
unfavorable for corn in the state history of the crop. Wild hay, although yielding
highly in the eastern half of the state, was a failure in many sections of the western
half as a result of dry weather, especially in the southwestern counties.

Production of crops in 1924 compared with their five year average out-turns
was also higher in most cases, as the following table shows:

1924 Out-turn as

Percentage of

CROP: 1923 Crop.

Spring Wheat 109

Winter Wheat 103

Corn 97

Oats 89

Barley 116

Rye 102

Flaxseed 260

Potatoes 82

Tame Hay 104

Wild Hay 99

Beans 154

Apples 58

1924 Out-turn as

Percentage of

CROP: 5 -Year Average.

Spring Wheat 110

Winter Wheat 94

Com 152

Oats Ill

Barley 148

Rye 99

Flaxseed 215

Potatoes 74

Tame Hay 110

Wild Hay 101

Apples 72

Statistics of acreage and production of Montana's principal crops will be found
in table IV.

Acre Yields in 1924.

Average acre yields of both spring and winter wheat, rye, flaxseed and beans
were larger in 1924 than in 1923 and smaller in the case of corn, oats, barley,
potatoes, tame hay and wild hay. Differences in all cases with the exception of
potatoes were moderate as between the two years, both seasons being better than
the 5-year average.

YIELDS PER ACRE.

CROP:

1924.

1923

Five-Year

Average.

(1920-1924)

Spring Wheat

16.2

17.1

18.0

29.5

25.0

14.0
8.7

88.0
1.71*
0.90*

12.0

14.0

17.0

26.0

33.0

25.5

11.0
8.2
110.0
1.88*
0.91*

11.5

13.3

Winter Wheat

15.1

20.1

Oats

28.1

22.8

11.6

ji'l3jfseed

6.3

Potatoes

109.8

Tame Hay*

1.76*

Wild Hay*

0.89*

12.2

•Yields per acre for hay in tons; other crops in units of bushels.

MONTANA CROPS

15

Acre Valuos of Crops in 1924.

Acre values which are acre yields times average farm prices received for crops
were in all cases higher in 1924 than in 1923 due to a generally higher level of farm
prices than prevailed in the latter season. The 1924 values also ran well above
average values for the preceding five years.

ACRE VALUES.
(Average Acre Yield Times Farm Price per Bushel or Ton.)

CROP

1924.

1923.

Average.
1920-1924.

Spring Wheat
Winter Wheat

Corn

Oats

Barley

Rye

Flaxseed

Potatoes

Tame Hay

Wild Hay

Beans

$20.09

i $11.48

1 $13.48

21.20

1 13.94

i 15.18

17.82

1 16.90

! 14.13

13.87

1 12.54

; 11.52

17.25

1 12.24

! 13.19

12.74

1 5.61

1 8.10

19.23

i 15.83

1 12.16

76.56

! 71.50

81.19

17.10

1 16.73

1 17.62

8.10

1 7.28

7,60

39.60

i 39.10

Total Farm Value 1924.

Total farm values of eleven principal crops produced in 1924 aggregate $124,-
239,000 compared with $86,862,000 value of these crops in 1923 and $84,449,000 the
1918-1922 average. The hypothetical values of all crops based on the ratio of the
crops named to all crops in the census year 1919 are $144,463,000 for 1924, $100,536,-
000 for 1923, and $98,197,000 the average for 1918-1922.

Flg^ure YIII.

Dl^TRlliUTIOti OF SPRltiG V^HEflT /fCERflO-E / 92^
^TATF ^.5/7.000 /HCRB^

• EACH DOT=1,000 ACRES
" LESS THAN 1,000 ACRES

16

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

YEAR:
CORN:

Table IT.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF MONTANA CROPS.
Acreage, Production and Farm Value, 1924-23-22-21.

Dec. 1

Acres Yield per Acre

1924 511.000

1923 365,000

1922 228,000

1921 190,000

WINTER WHEAT:

1924 637,000

1923 624,000

1922 768,000

1921 800,000

SPRING WHEAT:

1924 2,517,000

1923 2,650,000

1922 2,850.000

1921 2,990.000

OATS:

1924 673,000

1923 673,000

1922 660,000

1921 618,000

BARLEY:

1924 124,000

1923 105,000

1922 92,000

1921 75,000

RYE:

1924 125,000

1923 156,000

1922 240,000

1921 116,000

FLAXSEED:

1924 270,000

1923 110,000

1922 84,000

1921 110,000

TAME HAY:

1924 1,323,000

1923 1,150,000

1922 1,045,000

1921 1,045,000

WILD HAY:

1924 653,000

1923 653,000

1922 660,000

1921 657,000

POTATOES:

1924 37,000

1923 36,000

1922 45,000

1921 41,000

1924
1923
1922

BEANS:

34,000

23,000

3,800

18.0 bu.
26.0 bu.
24.3 bu.
20.0 bu.

17.1 bu.
17.0 bu.

15.2 bu.
14.0 bu.

16.2 bu.
14.0 bu.
14.4 bu.
12.0 bu.

29.5 bu.
33.0 bu.
32.0 bu.
24.0 bu.

25.0 bu.
25.5 bu.
25.0 bu.
20.5 bu.

14.0 bu.
11.0 bu.
14.0 bu.
11.2 bu.

8.7 bu.
8.2 bu.
7.2 bu.
5.0 bu.

1.71 tons

1.88 tons

1.89 tons
1.80 tons

.90 tons
.91 tons
.90 tons
.80 tons

88 bu.
110 bu.
126 bu.
115 bu.

12.0 bu.
11.5 bu.
13.0 bu.

1924
1923
1922
1921

APPLES:

Production

9,198,000
9,490,000
5,540,000
3,800,000

10,893,000
10,608,000
11,674,000
11,200,000

40,775,000
37,100,000
41,040,000.
35,880,000

19,854,000
22,209,000
21,120,000
14,832,000

3,100,000
2,678,000
2,300,000
1,538,000

1,750,000
1,716,000
3,360,000
1,299,000

2,349,000
902,000
605,000
550,000

2,260,000
2,162,000
1,975,000
1,881,000

588,000
594,000
594,000
526,000

3,256,000
3,960,006
5,670,000
4,715,000

408,000
264.000
49,000

574,000
990,000
610,000
975,000

Price

$ .99
.65
.53
.67

1.24
.82
.89
.85

1.24
.82
.89
.85

.47
.38
.37
.34

.48
.50

.91

.51
.54
.53

2.21
1.93
1.97
1.40

10.00
8.90
9.00

8.70

9.00
8.00
8.00
8.60

.87
.65
.40
.80

3.30
3.70
3.20

1.29
1.30
1.00
1.50

Farm Value

$ 9,106,000
6,168,000
2,936,000
2,546,000

13,507,000
8,699,000

10,390,000
9.520,000

50,561,000
30,422,000
36,526,000
30,498,000

9,331,000
8,439,000
7,814,000
5,043,000

2,139,999

1,285,000

1,150,000

923,000

1,593,000
875,000

1,814,000
688,000

5,191,000

1,241,000

1,192,000

770,000

22,600,000
19,242,000
17,775,000
16,365,000

5,292,000
4,752,000
4,752,000
4,524,000

833,000
574,000
268,000
772,000

346.000
977,000
157.000

740,000
1,287,000

610.000
1.465,000

Acre
Value

$17.82
16.90
12.88
13.40

21.20
13.94
13.53
11.90

20.09
11.48
12.82
10.20

13.86

12.54

11.84

8.16

17.25
12.24
12.50
12.30

12.74
5.61
7.56
5.94

19.23

15.83

14.18

7.00

17.10
16.73
17.01
15.66

8.10

7.28
7.20
6.88

76.56
71.50
50.40
92.00

39.60
39.10
41.60

VALUE OF ABOVE CROPS.

1924 $124,239,000

1923 86,461,000

1922 87.227,000

1921 76,114.000

THEORET'CAL VALUE OF ALL CROPS.

1924 $144,463,000

1923 100,136.000

1922 93,580.000

1921 81,430,000

ESTIMATED PERCENTAGE SOLD OF MONTANA MAIN CROPS, 1924.

Per cent Sold CROP: Per cent Sold

CROP:

Wheat 85.0

Oats 20.0

Barley 15.0

Rye 20.0

Flax 93. 8

Corn 10.0

Hay 15.0

Potatoes 35.0

Apples 27.0

All Crops Combined 60.0

MONTANA CROPS

17

Dnrum Wheat Production.

Included in statistics of acreage, yield and production of all spring wheat is a
small proportion of durum. To distinguish this wheat which is used to make pastry
and macaroni flour, from bread wheats, the Division of Crop Estimates in recent
years has made separate estimates for durum as a percentage of all spring wheat.
For the spring wheat states in 1923 and 1924, these estimates have been as follows:

1923.

1924.

STATE:

Acreage Per Acre
000 Omitted Yield

1

Bushel
Production
000 Omitted

Acreage
000 Omitted

Yield

Bushel
Production
000 Omitted

Montana

128
3,667
1.275

225
5,295

10.2
9.1
12.0
12.7
10.0

1,306
33,370
15.300

2,858
52,834

76

3,040

1,174

126

4,416

18.0
16.0
14.9
21.5
15.9

1,368

North Dakota

48.640

South Dakota

17.493

Minnesota

2,709

Four States

70,210

PER CENT OF MONTANA SPRING WHEAT IN FEDERAL GRADES.
(Per Cent of Total Crop that Graded.)

CROP:

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

No. 5

No. 6

1924 .

84.0
63.2
84.0

74.7
1 64.6

1

10.0
20.6
12.1
18.2
20.7

5.0

12.1

3.1

5.6

10.1

1.0
3.8
0.5
1.4
3.1

"'67i

0.3
0.1
0.9

1923

1922

1921 .

1920

0.6

Montana is noted for the high milling quality of its spring wheat and usually
leads all other states by a good margin excepting Wyoming, which is a much
smaller producing state. Only 40.4 per cent of the entire spring wheat crop in the
United States in 1924 graded number 1, while Montana's crop contained 84.0 per cent
in that grade.

Dockage in Wheat.

Dockage in wheat, a serious problem in the older sections of the spring wheat
region, has not yet become very troublesome in Montana where soils are newer
and weed infection less. However, weeds ultimately become a dangerous loss factor
to the farmer who operates wholly or largely in small grain crops, and it is well to
take note of the present situation. A survey made recently through elevator men of
the state gives the following averages for per cent of dockage in various sections of
the state for the 1924 and 1923 crops. These figures are tentative*. (See note below).

DOCKAGE FOUND IN WHEAT.

Per Cent Per Cent

DISTRICT: inl924. in 1923.

Northwest— (4 counties) 1.9 2.3

West Central— (6 counties) f.o f-*

North Central— (8 counties) I't I a

Central— (10 counties) 2.7 d.4

South Central— (6 counties) 1.8 ^-^

Northeast— (5 counties) 2.7 ^.i

East Central— (6 counties) ^-y *•"

Southeast— (7 counties) i-^ ■^•°

State 2.53 2.96

NOTE— Those interested in further information concerning dockage in wheat for Montana
and other states of the spring wheat region should write Mr. R. B. Black in cha^e

Grain Cleaning Division of U. S. Department of Agriculture. 404 Flour Exchange Bldg..
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

18

MONTANA. FARM REVIEW

Table T.

SPRING WHEAT— 1923 and 1924.
1923 Revised.

District and County: Acreage Yield Production

(bushel)
NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead 23,000 21.0 483,000

Lincoln 2,000 20.0 40.000

Lake 20,000 21.0. 420,000

Sanders 2,000 23.0 46,000

NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine 64,000 17.0 1,088,000

Chouteau 82,000 10.0 820,000

Glacier 2^,000 14.0 392,000

HiU 120,000 8.0 960,000

Liberty 30,000 9.0 270,000

Pondera 91.000 19.0 819,000

Teton 111,000 23.0 2,553.000

Toole 21,000 6.0 126,000

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels '. 106,000 15.0 1,590.000

Phillips 73,000 12.0 876.000

Roosevelt 146,000 10.0 1,460,000

Sheridan 223,000 10.0 2,230,000

Valley 140,000 12.0 1,680,000

WEST CENTRAL—

Deer Lodge 3.000 25.0 75,000

Granite 6,000 22.0 132,000

Missoula 15,000 25.0 375,000

Powell 7,000 19.0 133,000

Ravalli 9,000 27.0 243,000

CENTRAL—

Broadwater 16,000 22.0 352,000

Cascade 93,000 23.0 2,139,000

Fergus 156,000 20.0 3,120,000

Golden Vallev 29,000 12.0 348,000

Jefferson 8,000 19.0 152,000

Judith Basin 93,000 22.0 2,046,000

Lewis and Clark 15,000 21.0 315,000

Meagher 8,000 17.0 136,000

Musselshell 22,000 16.0 352,000

Wheatland 34,000 22.0 748,000

EAST CENTRAL—

Dawson 105,000 9.0 945,000

Garfield 29,000 14.0 406,000

McCone 63,000 10.0 630,000

Prairie 64,000 8.0 612,000

Richland 124,000 8.0 992,000

Wibaux 63,000 8.0 504,000

SOUTHWESTERN—

Beaverhead 10,000 23.0 230,000

Madison 17,000 26.0 442,000

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Carbon 26,000 21.0 546,000

Gallatin 39,000 24.0 936,000

Park 25,000 25.0 625,000

Stillwater 45,000 15.0 675.000

Sweet Grass 22,000 20.0 440,000

Yellowstone 56,000 18.0 1,008,000

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn 20,000 17.0 340,000

Carter 17.000 10.0 170,000

Custer 18,000 10.0 180,000

Fallon 74,000 8.0 592,000

Powder River 8,000 14.0 112,000

Rosebud 23,000 10.0 230,000

Treasure 6,000 11.0 66.000

1924 December Estimate.
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(bushel)

STATE TOTALS

2,650.000

14.0 37,100.000

21,000

17.3

363.000

2,000

10.0

20.000

20,000

15.0

300,000

2,000

17.0

34,000

71,000

17.0

1.207,000

76,000

14.0

1,064,000

33,000

10.0

330,000

115,000

13.0

1,495,000

26,000

14.0

364,000

95,000

13.0

1,235,000

114,000

14.0

1,569,000

21,000

12.0

252,000

95,000

19.0

1,805,000

65,000

13.0

845,000

135,000

22.0

2,970,000

205,000

19.0

3,895,000

139,000

18.0

2,502,000

2,000

16.0

32,000

4,000

16.0

64,000

8,000

27.0

216,000

6.000

16.0

96,000

8.000

22.0

176,000

15,000

20.0

300,000

95,000

12.0

1,140,000

159,000

16.0

2,544,000

26,000

10.0

260,000

7,000

17.0

119.000

94,000

12.0

1.128,000

12,000

16.0

192,000

8,000

11.0

88,000

22,000

10.0

220,000

33.000

10.0

330,000

87.000

15.0

1,305,000

26,000

15.0

390,000

54,000

18.0

972,000

56,000

14.0

784.000

127,000

21.0

2.667,000

60,000

16.5

990,000

9,000

19.0

171,000

14.000

27.0

378,000

25.000

19.0

475.000

40,000

18.0

720,000

21,000

18.0

378,000

44,000

15.0

660, OC*

19,000

18.0

342.000

51,000

21.0

1,071,000

20,000

18.0

360,000

12,000

16.0

192.000

17,000

14.0

238.000

65,000

14.0

910,000

7,000

18.0

126.000

24,000

16.0

384,000

5.000

16.0
16.2

80,000

2,517,000

40.775,000

MONTANA CROPS 19

Spring Wheat

Much of the spring wheat crop was again sown late due to the backward turn
the season took in April and May. Moisture conditions, however, during the early
stages of the crop were favorable for good root and stooling, especially throughout
the eastern and northeastern districts wher€ the bulk of the crop is grown. A cool
growing season and absence of hot winds during the filling stage in this area re-
sulted in unusually good yields. Grasshoppers or dry weather cut yields in various
localities elsewhere in the north central, central and south central districts. Quality
of the crop averaged better than last year and better than the five-year average.

Winter Wheat.

A reduction in acreage seeded in the fall of 1923 for the 1924 crop was followed by
a lighter abandonment than in the preceding year and acreage harvested in 1924
was about 2 per cent larger than that of 1923. The crop entered the winter in
relatively high condition and losses from winterkill and soil blowing were light
and spotted. Spring growth was slow but thrifty and favorable weather was en-
countered during the filling stage in most districts. Final acre yields averaged
17.1 bushels, or slightly above the favorable yield of the 1923 crop.

Figure IX.

DISTRifciUTlON OF WINTER WH E n T ACREftGf 1920-
STFtrE o37;ooo rcrgs

• EACH DOT=1.000 ACRES'
o LESS THAN 1,000 ACRES

ESTIMATED WEIGHT PER MEASURED BUSHEL MONTANA GRAIN (Pounds)

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

Winter Wheat

59.0
58.0
34.0
47.0

59.5
58.2
35.7
48.0

59.9
59.0
35.0
47.1

60.3
59.8
36.6
50.0

59.4
58.8
37.2
49.0

60.3
59 5

Spring Wheat

Oats

36.5
50.0

Barley

20

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Table YI.

WINTER WHEAT BY COUNTIES— 1923 and 1924.

District and County: Acreage

NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead 13,00

Lake 8,000

Sanders 3,000

NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine 4,000

Chouteau 86.000

Hill 4,000

Pondera 2,000

Teton 9,000

NORTHEASTERN—

Sheridan 2,000

WEST CENTRAI^—

Granite 1,000

Missoula 15,000

PoweU 1,000

Ravalli 2,000

CENTRAL—

Broadwater 2,000

Cascade 37,000

Fergus 129,000

Golden Valley 20,000

Jefferson 4,000

Judith Basin 56,000

Lewis and Clark 3,000

Meagher 2,000

Musselshell 13,000

Wheatland 4,000

EAST CENTRAL—

Dawson 1,000

Garfield 4,000

McCone 2,000

Prairie 2,000

Wibaux 5,000

SOUTHWESTERN—

Beaverhead 2,000

Madison 6,000

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Carbon 5,000

Gallatin 43,000

Park 7,000

Stillwater 39,000

Sweet Grass 7,000

Yellowstone 35,000

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn 27,000

Carter 2,000

Custer 1,000

Fallon 6,000

Powder River 1,000

Rosebud 4,000

Treasure 5,000

STATE TOTALS 624,000

1923 Revised.

1924 December Estimate.

Acre

Yield

(bushel)

Production

Acreage

Acre

Yield

(bushel)

Production

21.0
21.0

27.0

273,000

168,000

81,000

12,000
9,000
4,000

23.0
23.0

20.0

276,000

207,000

80,000

8.0
11.0

8.0
13.0
16.0

32,000

946,000

32,000

26,000

144,000

5,000
88,000
3,000
2,000
9,000

17.0
15.0
IS.O
13.0
18.0

85,000

1,320,000

54,000

26,000

162,000

12.0

24,000

2,000

17.0

20.0

20,000

1.000

15.0

15,000

27.0

405,000

15,000

16.9

252,000

17.0

17,000

1,000

19.0

19,000

29.0

58,000

2,000

9.0

18,000

18.0

36,000

3,000

18.0

54,000

23.0

851,000

38,000

18.0

684,000

17.0

2,193,000

136,000

20.3

2,762,000

12.0

240,000

21,000

12.0

252,000

18.0

72,000

4,000

11.0

44,000

17.0

952,000

58,000

17.0

986,000

16.0

48,000

3,000

15.0

45,000

17.0

34,000

2,000

16.0

32,000

17.0

221,000

14,000

17.0

238,000

17.0

68,000

4,000

12.0

48,000

8.0

8,000

1,000

17.0

17,000

12.0

48,000

4,000

18.0

72,000

9.0

18,000

2,000

13.0

26,000

7.0

14,000

2,000

14.0

28,000

7.0

35,000

5,000

12.0

60,000

23.0

46,000

2,000

9.5

19,000

27.0

162,000

5,000

17.0

85,000

17.0

85,000

5,000

19.0

95,000

25.7

1,107,000

42,000

18.0

756,000

25.0

175,000

7,000

11.0

77,000

15.0

585,000

40,000

16.0

640,000

19.0

133.000

7,000

17.0

119,000

17.0

595,000

36,000

16.0

576,000

17.0

459,000

26,000

14.0

364,000

11.0

22,000

2,000

15.0

30,000

8.0

8,000

1,000

16.0

16,000

7.0

42,000

5,000

15.0

75,000

14.0

14,000

1,000

17.0

17,000

9.0

36,000

4,000

16.0

64,000

15.0

75,000

4,000

16.0
16.1

64,000

17.1

10,608,000

637,000

10,893,000

Flax.

Flax as a cash crop assumed considerable importance in 1924 when its farm
value increased to $5,191,000 from $1,741,000 in 1923. Greatly increased acreage
and a slightly larger acre yield than in 1923 more than doubled the production for
1924. Flax is grown chiefly in the eastern and northeastern counties, although the
past season brought a considerable spread in the distribution of this crop. Much of
the crop is still grown on new breaking, although the practice of using flax on old
ground in rotation systems is followed to some extent.

MONTANA CROPS

21

Table TIL

FLAX BY COUNTIES— 1923 and 1924.
1923 Revised.
Acre
District and County: Acreage Yield Production

(bushel)
NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine 4,000

Chouteau

Glacier 1,400

Hill 3,000

Liberty 1,000

Pondera 1,000

Teton 1,500

Toole 2,000

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels 13,000

Phillips 2,000

Roosevelt 16,000

Sheridan 20,000

Valley 11,000

CENTRAL—

Cascade

Fergus

Golden Valley 300

Musselshell 400

Wheatland :...

EAST CENTRALr—

Dawson 10,000

Garfield 3,500

McCone 2,000

Prairie 2,000

Richland 6,300

Wibaux 3,300

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Stillwater

Sweet Grass

SOUTHEASTERN-

Big Horn

Carter 1,000

Custer 1,400

Fallon 3,000

Powder River 400

Rosebud 500

STATE TOTALS 110,000 8.2 902,000 270,000

1924 December Estimate.
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(bushel)

9.5

38,000

10,000

8.0

80,000

2,000

8.0

16,000

5.0

7,000

3,000

6.0

18,000

7.0

21,000

6,000

5.0

30,000

6.0 .

6,000

1,000

6.0

6,000

7.0

7,000

6.000

6.0

36,000

8.0

12,000

4,000

4.0

16,000

4.5

9,000

3.000

7.0

21,000

9.5

123.500

20,000

10.0

200,000

7.0

14,000

7,000

8.0

56,000

8.7

139,200

40,000

8.0

320,000

8.8

168,000

62,000

11.0

682,000

9.6

105,600

43,000

8.0

343,000

2,000

10.0

20,000

2,000

10.0

20,000

6.7

2,100

1,000

6.0

6,000

10.5

4,200

1,000

5.0

5,000

1,000
11,000

7.0
8.0

7,000

8.0

80,000

88,000

9.0

31,500

4,000

7.0

28,000

8.2

16,400

4,000

8.0

32,000

8.0

16,000

4,000

7.0

28.000

7.6

39,700

9,000

10.0

90,000

7.1

23,500

7,000

9..0

63,000

1,000
1,000

7.0
7.0

7.000

7,000

3.200
2,000

8.0
8.0

25,000

5.9

5,900

16,000

6.0

8,400

3,000

7.0

21,000

5.3

15,900

4,000

10.0

40,000

8.5

3,400

1,000

10.0

10,000

9.5

4.700

2,000

6.0

12,000

8.7

2,349,000

Figure X.

DISTRIBUTION OF FLAX ACREAGE 1924
STATE 270.000 ACRES

• EACH OOT=1.000 ACRES
o LESS THAN 7,000 ACRES

22

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Oats.

Production of oats in 1924 fell slightly below 1923 crop as a result of lower
acre yields, acreage in 1924 having been increased moderately over that of 1923.
Oats acreage shows a rather wide distribution over the state and much is grown in
the country west of the main range where dry weather was responsible for reduced
yields in the past season. Considerable oats acreage is also found just east of the
main range where dry weather also reduced yields. 1924 out-turn on the other hand
was somewhat better than average.

Table VIIL

OATS BY COUNTIES— 1923 and 1924.

District and County: Acreage

NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead 12,000

Tjincoln 1,000

Lake 10,000

Sanders 2,000

NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine 15,000

Chouteau 12,000

Glacier 5,000

Hill 17,000

Liberty 2,000

Pondera 10,000

Teton 13,000

Toole 3,000

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels 28,000

Phillips "21,000

Roosevelt 25,000

Sheridan 47,000

Valley 32,000

WEST CENTRAI^—

Deer Lodge 3,000

Granite 3,000

Mineral 1,000

Missoula 6,000

Powell 7,000

Ravalli 10,000

CENTRAL—

Broadwater 10,000

Cascade 13,000

Fergus 52,000

Golden Valley 12,000

Jefferson 3,000

Judith Basin 12,000

Lewis and Clark 6,000

Meagher 5,000

Musselshell 12,000

Wheatland 7,000

EAST CENTRALr-

Dawson 21,000

Garfield 15,000

McCone 17,000

Prairie 10,000

Richland 26,000

Wibaux 16,000

SOUTHWESTERN—

Beaverhead 9,000

Madison 10,000

Silver Bow 1,000

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Carbon 7.000

Gallatin 19,000

Park 9,000

Stillwater 16,000

Sweet Grass 7,000

Yellowstone 17,000

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn 8,000

Carter 8,000

Custer 9,000

Fallon 20,000

Powder River 2,000

Rosebud 7,000

Treasure 2,000

STATE TOTALS 673,000

1923 Revised.

1924 December Estimate.

Acre

Acre

Yield

Production

Acreage

Yield

Production

(bushel)

(bushel)

42.0

756,000

12,000

30.0

540,000

43.0

43,000

4,000

30.0

120,000

44.0

44,000

10,000

31.0

31,000

45.0

90,000

2,000

29.0

58,000

34.0

510,000

18,000

31.0

5.58.000

30.0

360,000

12,000

24.0

288,000

27.0

135,000

5,000

30.0

150,000

21.0

357,000

19,000

24.0

456,000

27.0

54.000 .

2,000

24.0

48,000

22.0

330,000

9,000

29.0

261,000

33.0

429,000

12,000

23.0

276.000

22.0

66,000

3,000

21.0

63.000

33.0

924,000

28,000

34.0

952.000

34.0

714,000

21,000

21.0

441.000

27.0

675,000

25,000

35.0

875.000

27.0

1,269.000

47,000

34.0

1,598.000

28.0

896,000

32,000

35.0

1,120,000

51.0

153,000

2,000

30.0.

60,000

46.0

138,000

4,000

30.0

120,000

45.0

45.000

1,000

30.0

30.000

50.0

450,000

5,000

30.0

240,000

38.0

266,000

7,000

27.0

189,000

61.0

610,000

9,000

30.1

271,000

46.0

460,000

10,000

26.0

260,000

37.0

481,000

13,000

25.0

325.000

38.0

1,976,000

50,000

30.0

1,500.000

24.0

288,000

12,000

15.0

180.000

48.0

144,000

3,000

34.0

102.000

42.0

.504,000

11,000

28.0

308.000

33.0

198.000

6,000

27.0

• 162,000

36.0

180,000

5,000

29.0

145.000

29.0

348,000

11,000

20.0

220.000

35.0

245,000

7,000

25.0

175,000

25.0

525.000

22,000

.30.0

660.000

31.0

465,000

15,000

27.0

405,000

24.0

408,000

18,000

31.0

558.000

21.0

210,000

10,000

28.0

280.000

23.0

598.000

26,000

31.0

806.000

25.0

400,000

17,000

30.0

510.000

47.0

423.000

9,000

29.0

261,000

49.0

490.000

9,000

32.0

288.000

32.0

32,000

1.000

20.0

20,000

iSl.O

357.000

7.000

40.0

280.000

50.0

950,000

19,000

39.0

741.000

49.0

441.000

8,000

37.0

296.000

27.0

432,000

15,000

2S.0

420.000

37.0

259,000

7,000

31.0

217.000

34.0

578,000

16,000

33.0

528.000

33.0

264,000

9,000

12.0

108.000

30.0

240,000

8,000

30.0

240,000

23.0

207,000

8,000

30.0

240.000

24.0

480,000

20,000

26.1

522.000

29.0

.'>8,000

2.000

27.0

54.000

26.0

182,000

8.000

29.0

232,000

36.0

72.000

2,000

29.0
29.5

58.000

33.0

22.209,000

673.000

19.854.000

MONTANA CROPS

23

Barley.

Barley production in 1924 exceeded that of 1923 by reason of expanded acreage,
acre yield falling sligMly below that of 1923. The crop is grown chiefly as a farm
feed and the small acreage is well distributed over the state.

Table IX.

BARLEY BY COUNTIES— 1923 and 1924.

District and County: Acreage

NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead 7,000

Lincoln 1,000

Lake 8,000

Sanders 1,000

NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine 2,000

Chouteau 1,000

Glacier 1,000

Hill 2,000

Pondera 5,000

Teton 2,000

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels 1,000

Phillips 1,000

Roosevelt 1,000

Sheridan 3,000

Valley 2,000

WEST CENTRAI^-

Granite 1,000

Missoula 2,000

Powell 1,000

Ravalli 2,000

CENTRAL—

Broadwater 1,000

Cascade 3,000

Fergus 8,000

Golden Valley 1,000

Jefferson

Judith Basin 4,000

Lewis and Clark 1,000

Meagher 1,000

Musselshell 1,000

Wheatland 1,000

EAST CENTRAL—

Dawson 2,000

Garfield 1,000

McCone 1,000

Prairie 1,000

Richland 3,000

Wibaux 1,000

SOUTHWESTERN—

Beaverhead 3,000

Madison 2,000

SOUTH CENTRA]>-

Carbon 2.00

Gallatin 1,000

Park 6,000

Stillwater 2,000

Sweet Grass 1,000

Yellowstone 3,000

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn 1,000

Carter 2,000

Custer 1,000

Fallon 4,000

Powder River 1,000

Rosebud 1,000

Treasure 1,000

STATE TOTALS 105,000

1923 Revised.

1924 December Estimate.

Acre

Acre

Yield Production

Acreage

Yield

Production

(bushel)

(bushel)

35.0

245,000

7,000

30.0

210,000

26.0

26,000

1,000

27.0

27,n00

30.3

242,000

8,000

32.4

259,000

30.0

30,000

1,000

24.0

24.000

22.0

44,000

2,000

27.0

54,000

17.0

17,000

1,000

19.0

19,000

25.0

25,000

1,000

20.0

20,000

13.0

26,000

3,000

22.0

66,000

29.0

145,000

5,000

24.0

120.000

26.0

52,000

3,000

21.0

63,000

20.0

20,000

1,000

26.0

26,000

22.0

22,000

1,000

21.0

21,000

17.0

17,000

2,000

30.0

60,000

20.0

60,000

3,000

31.0

93,000

21.0

42,000

3,000

27.0

81,000

28.0

28,000

1,000

19. o'

19,000

32.0

64,000

3,000

16.0

48,000

28.0

28,000

1,000

11.0

11,000

34.0

68,000

2,000

32.0

64,000

27.0

27,000

2,000

17.0

34,000

29.0

87,000

3,000

22.0

66,000

28.0

224,000

9,000

25.0

225,000

21.0

21,000

1,000

13.0

13,000

1,000

24 0

24 000

29.0

116,000

4,000

21.0

84,000

25.0

25,000

1,000

25.0

25,000

20.0

20,000

1,000

22.0

22,000

23.0

23,000

1,000.

13.0

13,000

22.0

22,000

1,000

30.0

30,000

20.0

40,000

2,000

24.0

48,000

17.0

17,000

1,000

21.0

21,000

16.0

16,000

2,000

21.0

42,000

15.0

15,000

2,000

27.0

54,000

21.0

63,000

4,000

28.0

96,000

16.0

16,000

2,000

27.0

54,000

30.0

90,000

4,000

18.0

72,000

30.0

60,000

3,000

30.0

90,000

32.0

64,000

2,000

34.0

68,000

32.0

32,000

2,000

30.0

60,000

30.0

180.000

7,000

27.0

189,000

20.0

40,000

2,000

25.0

50,000

24.0

24,000

2,000

24.0

48,000

23.0

69.000

3,000

32.3

97,000

16.0

16,000

1,000

23.0

23,000

16.0

32,000

3,000

26.0

78, "000

16.0

16,000

1,000

16.0

16,000

17.0

68,000

5,000

23.0

115,000

16.0

16,000

1,000

17.0

17,000

15.0

15,000

1,000

19.0

19,000

20.0

20,000

1,000

22.0
25.0

22,000

23.2

2,678,000

124,000

3,100.000

24

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Bye.

Rye production in 1924 was slightly larger than in 1923, a higher acre yield
more than offsetting a moderate acreage reduction. Winter rye makes up the bulk
of the crop. Rye grown principally as a feed crop is also a good cash crop in years
of fair market prices and substitutes for winter wheat in sections where the latter
does not winter through. North central Montana has a good share of the state's
total acreage.

Table X.

RYE BY COUNTIES— 1923 and 1924.

District and County:

NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead

Lincoln

Acreage

2.200

600

1,000

1,200

30,000
9,000
1,000

12,000
1,400
1,400
4,000
1.500

5,000
8,000

12,000
9,000

36,000

200
400
100
1,200
500
700

800
1,500
9.000
1,200
1,000

600
1,000
1,000
1,600

600

1,100
3,000
2,000
1,200
2,000
1,000

600
700
800

600
1,000

600
2,000

600
1,800

1,000
2,800
1,500
3,000
1,000
2,000
1,400

1923 Revis
Acre
Yield
(bushel)

21.5
21.7
23.7
20.0

8.0

11.7

9.0

6.0

5.7

13.6

14.5

8.0

9.0
9.0
9.2
9.7
10.6

20.0
20.0
20.0
23.3
18.0
21.4

12.5
16.7
12.0
12.5
18.0
16.7
21.0
16.0
17.5
16.7

10.6
10.2
11.0
11.7
10.4
9.0

21.7
24.3
17.7

18.3
18.5
18.3
14.0
23.3
16.6

15.0
11.5
12.0

8.6
13.0

8.5
15.0

11.0

ed.
Production

47,000
13.000
24,000
24,000

240,000

105,000

9,000

72,000

8,000

19,000

58,000 .

12,000

45.000
72,000
111,000
87,000
38,000

4,000
8,000
2,000

28,000
9,000

15,000

10,000
25,000
108.000
15,000
18,000
10,000
21,000
16,000
28.000
10,000

12,000
31,000
22,000
14,000
21,000
9.000

13,000
17,000
14.000

11,000
19,000
11,000
28,000
14.000
30,000

15,000
32,000
18,000
26,000
13.000
17,000
21.000

1924 D€
Acreage

1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000

33,000
8,000
2,000

11,000

(cember E

Acre

Yield

(bushel)

16.0

12.0

16.0

7.0

15.0
10.0
12.0
10.0

12'. 6
10.0

18.5
9.0
22.7
18.0
12.0

is.o

15.0

15.6
20.0
10.0
7.0
13.0

14.0
11.0
15.0

i*8*.'6

"s.'o

12.6

10.0
12.0
10.0
11.0
11.0
15.0
16.0

14.0

Istimate.
Production

16.000
12,000

Lake

16,000

7,000

NORTH CENTRAL^
Blaine

495,000

Chouteau

Glacier

80,000
24,000

Hill

110,000

Liberty

Teton

3.000
1,000

4,000
6,000
10,000
7,000
3,000

36,000

Toole

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels

Phillips

10,000

74,000
54,000

Roosevelt

227,000

Sheridan

126,000

Valley

36,000

WEST CENTRALr—

Deer Lodge

Granite

Missoula . -..

1,000

15,000

Powell

Ravalli

CENTRAL^

5.000

75.000

Golden Valley

Judith Basin

Lewis and Clark

Meagher

Musselshell

1,000
1,000
1,000
2,000
1,000

1,000
2.000
2,000

15.000
20,000
10,000
14,000

Wheatland

13,000

EAST CENTRAL—

14,000

Garfield

22,000

McCone

30.000

Prairie

Richland

2,000

36,000

Wibaux

SOUTHWESTERN—

Madison

SOUTH CENTRALr-
Carbon ....

Gallatin

Park

Stillwater

2,000

16,000

Sweet Grass

Yellowstone

2.000

1,000
2,000
1.000
2,000
1,000
2,000
1,000

24.000

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn

Carter

Custer

Fallon -

10.000
24,000
10,000
22,000

Powder River

11,000

Rosebud

Treasure

30,000
16.000

STATE TOTALS

156,000

1,716.000

125.000

1.750.000

MONTANA CROPS

25

Com.

Corn acreage during tlie past five years has s'hown a remarkable expansion that
has probably been encouraged during the three years preceding 1924 by favorable
yields. Acreage of corn for all purposes in 1924 totalled 511,000 acres compared
with 365,000 acres in 1923, but production in 1924 was slightly smaller than 1923,
as a result of a very unfavorable season which reduced yields and cut the propor-
tion of the crop that matured as grain. It would be unfortunate if last year's expe-
rience with the crop were to check the growth of the enterprise, for the crop has
found a very useful place in rotation systems and has proven to be a good jrielder
of farm feed in average seasons.

District and County: Acreage

NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead 1.00

Sanders 500

NORTH CENTRAI^-

Lake

Blaine - 8,000

Chouteau 11,500

Hill 7,000

Liberty 1,400

Pondera 2,000

Teton 2,000

Toole 1.200

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels 3,300

Phillips • 30,000

Roosevelt 13,000

Sheridan 12,000

Valley 15,000

WEST CENTRAI^-

Missoula 500

Ravalli 400

CENTRAL—

Cascade 6,000

Fergus 25,000

Golden Valley 9,000

Judith Basin 2,200

Lewis and Cark 600

Musseshell 10,000

Wheatland 3,000

EAST CENTRAL—

Dawson 16,000

Garfield 14,000

McCone 13,000

Prairie 11,000

Richland 25,000

Wibaux 6,500

SOUTHWESTERN—

Madison 400

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Carbon 5,000

Gallatin 500

Stillwater 7,000

Sweet Grass 800

Yellowstone 25,000

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn 7,000

Carter 10,000

Custer 14,000

Fallon 11,000

Powder River 9,000

Rosebud 18,000

Treasure 6,000

Other Counties 1,000

STATE TOTALS 365,000

Table

XI.

f COUNTIES— 1923 and

1924.

1923 Revised.

1924 December Estimate.

Acre

Acre

Yield

Production

Acreage

Yield

Production

(bushel)

(bushel)

*27.0

32,000

2,000

16.0

32,000

26.0

13,000

1.200

18.0

22,000

700
11,000

20.0
19.0

14,000

26.0

208,000

209,000

26.0

299,000

13.000

17.0

221.000

23.0

161,000

10.000

18.0

180,000

20.0

28,000

2,800

15.0

42.000

21.0

42,000

3,000

18.0

54.000

25.0

50,000

3,000

18.0

54.000

23.0

27,000

2.500

16.0

40,000

25.0

82,000

5,000

18.0

90,000

26.0

780,000

43.000

18.0

774,000

25.3

330,000

20,000

20.0

400.000

25.0

300,000

18,000

20.0

360,000

26.0

390,000

22.000

19.0

418,000

26.0

13,000

400

20.0

8,000

30.0

12,000

600

20.0

12,000

27.0

162,000

10,000

19.0

190,000

27 2

680,000

33.000

19.0

626,000

• 23.0

207,000

10,000

18.0

180,000

22.2

49,000

2,700

17.0

46.000

24.0

10,000

1.000

17.0

17,000

23.0

230.000

11,500

18.0

207.000

23.0

69,000

4,000

18.0

72,000

28.1

450,000

26,000

18.0

468,000

26.5

371,000

18,000

18.0

324.000

27.3

355,000

18.000

18.0

324.000

28.0

308,000

14,000

17.0

238.000

28.2

704,000

41,000

17.0

697.000

26.5

172,000

9.000

17.0

153.000

20.0

8.000

1.000

17.0

17.000

30.0

150,000

7,000

20.0

140.000

28.0

14,000

1,000

18.0

18,000

26.0

182,000

12,000

17.0

204.000

25.0

20,000

1,600

16.4

26,000

27.0

674,000

31,000

18.0

558.000

24.0

168,000

10,000

17.0

170,000

27.0

270,000

13,000

17.0

221.000

25.0

350.000

20,000

18.0

360,000

25.0

275,000

15,000

18.0

270,000

27.0

243,000

12.000

la.o

216,000

24.0

432,000

22.000

17.0

374,000

25.0

150,000

8,000

17.0

136,000

20.0

20,000

1,000

16.0

16,000

26.0

9,490.000

511,000

IS.O

9,198,000

28

MONTANA FARM REVIEW
USES OF CORN CROP 1923 AND 1924.

1923
Acres

Acre
Yield

1923
Production

1924
Acres

Acre
Yield

1924
Production

For Grain ,

193.000

7.000

165,000

365,000

26.0
*5.0
♦2.1
26.0

5,018,000
*35,000
346,000

9,490.000

189,000

22,000

329,000

511,000

18.0
*3.5
*2.0
18.0

3,402,000

For Silage*

*77 000

For Forage*

*658 000

ALL CORN

9,198.000

^Silage and Forage yields and production in tons.

Figure XI.

PISTRl&UTIOM OF CORN A C R C (^ G E 192^
STftTE 5"! 1,000 ACRE'S

• EACH :OOT=1 ,000 ACRES
o LESS'THAN 1,000 ACRES

Potatoes.

Dissatisfaction with potato prices since 1920 has resulted, on the whole, in a
shrinkage in acreage devoted to that crop. However, in 1924 there was a slight
increase in acres planted compared with 1923. Production in 1924, on the other
hand, was lowered from that of 1923 by unfavorable weather which cuts yield
sharply, especially in the Ravalli and Flathead districts. The cut in commercial
production was greater than for the total crop, carlot movement of potatoes during
the fall of 1924 falling almost to a third of that for the same period a year ago.
Better local prices, however, have prevailed in 1924 than in 1923.

The unfavorable factors that reduced yields were principally a poor start and
later dry weather. The end of season weather was mostly favorable and a better
quality resulted than in 1923. Per cent of the crop that graded U. S. No. 1 in 1924
was 60 compared with 50 for the 1923 crop and 55 per cent in 1922. Estimated dis-
tribution of the 1924 production is as follows:

Bushels Bushels

Total Crop 3,256,000

Unfit for Use 293.000

Saved for Food Where Grown 680,000

Saved for Seed Where Grown 442,000

- Available for Sale Local and Outside 1,841,000

Equaling Total Crop or 3.256.000

MONTANA CROPS

27

Table XIL

POTATOES BY COUNTIES— 1923 and 1924.

1923 Revised.

District and County: Acreage

NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead 2,500

Lincoln 700

Lake 1,000

Sanders 800

NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine 600

Chouteau 500

Glacier 200

Hill 400

Liberty 100

Pondera 500

Teton 500

Toole 150

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels 300

Phillips >. 600

Roosevelt 550

Sheridan 800

Valley 700

WEST CENTRAL—

Deer Lodge 900

Granite 300

Mineral 150

Missoula 1,100

Powell 1,100

Ravalli 2,100

CENTRAL—

Broadwater 450

Cascade 900

Fergus 1,400

Golden Valley 300

Jefferson 1,000

Judith Basin 500

Lewis and Clark 1,400

Meagher 250

Musselshell 300

Wheatland 350

EAST CENTRAL—

Dawson 500

Garfield 600

McCone 600

Prairie 300

Richland 1,000

Wibaux 400

SOUTHWESTERN—

Beaverhead 500

Madison 1,200

Silver Bow 200

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Carbon 1,150

Gallatin 800

Park 450

Stillwater 450

Sweet Grass 350

Yellowstone 1,300

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn 350

Carter 250

Custer 600

Fallon 500

Powder River 250

Rosebud 500

Treasure ". 250

STATE TOTALS 36,000

Acre

Yield

(bushel)

100

90

100

100

120

90

100

90

100

130

120

80

138
133
120
90
110
140

145
114
121
107
145
110
124
100
83
100

146
155
100

130
144
178
122
150
134

109
76
67
56
72
94

112

110

Production

250.000
63.000

100,000
80,000

72,000
45,000
20,000
36.000
10,000
65,000
60,000
12,000

27.000
55,000
38,000
56,000
52,000

124.000

40.000

18,000

99,000

121,000

294,000

65,000

103,000

169,000

32,000

145,000

55,000

174,000

25,000

25,000

35,000

43,000
47,000
45,000
22,000
85,000
30,000

73.000

186,000

20,000

150,000

115,000

80,000

55,000

52,000

174,000

38,000
19,000
40,000
28,000
18,000
47,000
28,000

3,960,000

1924 December Estimate.
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(bushel)

4,000
700

1,700
700

800
500
200
400
100
500
600
200

200
500
500
700
800

700

300

200

1,000

1,000

1,800

400
800

,000
300
800
500

,300
200
300
300

500
600
600
400
900
400

400
400

,000
700
400
400
400

,300

400
200
500
500
200
500
300

135
78
^0
70
72

115
106
107
110
110

90
100
100
105

64
110

73
98
68
58

101
39

107
60
52
45

117
110

37.000

105
106
110
109
116
93

88

308,000
60,000

130,000
57,000

108.000
39.000
10,000
28,000
7,000
44,000
35,000
18,000

23,000
53,000
53,000
77,000
88,000

63,000
30,000
20,000

105,000
64,000

198.000

29.000
78,000

136,000
17,000
81,000
19,000

139,000
12.000
16,000
14,000

40,000
38,000
46,000
2g,000
84,000
36,000

47,000
154,000

105.000
74,000
44,000
44,000
46,000

121,000

26,000
14,000
34,000
42,000
15,000
36,000
23,000

3,256.000

28

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Hay.

Total hay production In 1924 was 2,848,000 tons compared with 2,756,000* in 1923,
the increase coming in tame hay and more than offsetting a slight reduction in the
wild hay crop. Tame hay production is about four times larger than that of wild
hay and is made up largely of alfalfa and grains cut green. The 1924 season was
quite favorable for hay crops over most of the eastern two-thirds of the state, but
crops were severely curtailed by dry weather in many localities in the western
third. Tame hay acreage and yield by varieties from 1920 to 1924 is shown in the
the table following.

Variety:
Alfalfa Hay:

Table XIII.

TAME HAY BY VARIETIES— 1920-1924.
Yield per
Acreage Acre Production Variety:

1924 614,000 2.01 1,234.000

1923 .-,36.000 2.15 1,152,000

1922 486,000 2.20 1,069,000

1921 466,000 2.25 1,048,000

1920 424,000 2.15 012,000

Yield per
Acreage Acre Production

Grain Cut Green for Hay.

1924 288,000 1.40 403,000

1923 208,000 1.37 285,000

1922 195,000 1.40 273,000

1921 202,000 1.20 242,000

1920 313,000 1.15 360.000

Timothy Hay:

1924 70,000 1.40 98,000

1923 87,000 1.63 142,000

1922 83,000 1.50 124.000

1921 81,000 1.40 114,000

1920 90,000 1.50 135,000

Clover Hay :

1924 82,000 1.55 127.000

1923 55,000 1.80 99,000

1922 45,000 1.80 81,000

1921 44,000 1.60 70,000

1920 42,000 1.60 67,000

Mixed Clover and Timothy Hay:

1924 106,000 1.61 171,000

1923 165,000 2.00 330,000

1922 150,000 1.90 285,000

1921 154,000 1.70 262,000

1920 140,000 l.SO 252.000

Millet and Miscellanepus Tame Hay:

1924 163,000 1.34 227,000

1923 99,000 1.55 154,000

1922 86,000 1.64 141,000

1921 98,000 1.37 334,000

1920 96,000 1.44 138,000

Figure XII.

Ol5TRlBUTIOn /An£ AnO WJLD H^l^ ( COMBJ/IED) 1324

ACRES

MONTANA CROPS

29

Table XIY.

TAME HAY BY COUNTIES— 1923 and 1924.

District and County:
NORTHWESTERN—

Flathead

Lincoln

Lake

Sanders

NORTH CENTRAL—

Blaine

Chouteau

Glacier

Hill

Liberty

Pondera

Teton

Toole

NORTHEASTERN—

Daniels

Phillips

Roosevelt

Sheridan

Valley

WEST CENTRAI^-

Deer Lodge

Granite

Mineral

Missoula

Powell

Ravalli

CENTRAL—

Broadwater

Cascade

Fergus

Golden Valley

Jefferson

Judith Basin

Lewis and Clark

Meagher

Musselshell

Wheatland

EAST CENTRAL—

Dawson

Garfield

McCone

Prairie

Richland

Wibaux

SOUTHWESTERN—

Beaverhead

Madison

Silver Bow

SOUTH CENTRAL—

Carbon

Gallatin

Park

Stillwater

Sweet Grass

Yellowstone

SOUTHEASTERN—

Big Horn

Carter

Custer

Fallon

Powder River

Rosebud

Treasure

TOTAL FOR STATE

1923 Revised

1924 December Estimate

Acre

Acre

Acreage

Yield

Production

Acreage

Yield

Production

Tons

Tons

Tons

Tons

20,000

1.5

30,000

16,000

1.4

22,400

11.000

1,6

17,600

14,000

1.6

22,400

14,000

1.4

19,600

16,000

1.5

23,900

15,000

2.0

30,000

18,000

1.5

27,000

21,000

1.7

35,700

22,000

2.2

48.400

14,000

1.4

19,600

17,000

1.8

30,600

1,000

1.6

1,600

2,000

1.5

3,000

7,000

1.4

9,800

9,000

1.6

14,400

2,000

1.2

2,400

3,000

2.0

6,000

16,000

1.7

27,200

20,000

1.9

38,000

8,000

1.7

13,600

12,000

1.3

15,600

2,000

1.2

2,400

2,000

1.2

2,400

13,000

1.5

19,500

18,000

1.6

28,800

23,000

1.2

27,600

27,000

1.5

40,500

10,000

1.4

14.000

14,000

1.8

25,200

16,000

1.5

24,000

21,000

1.4

29,400

18,000

1.6

28,800

22,000

1.8

39,600

8,000

1.8

14,400

9,000

1.6

14,400

32,000

2.0

64,000

36,000

1.5

54,000

2,000

2.2

4,400

3,000

1.6

4,800

41,000

2.5

102,500

46,000

1.4

64.400

40,000

1.7

68,000

45,000

1.5

67,500

38,000

2.1

79,800

43,000

2.1

90,300

23,000

2.4

55,200

27,000

2.0

54,000

41,000

2.0

82,000

44,000

1.6

70,400

54,000

2.1

113,400

61,000

1.5

91,500

9,000

1.9

17,100

10,000

1.5

15,000

15,000

2.0

30,000

17,000

1.5

25,500

21,000

1.9

39,900

30,000

1.6

48,000

34,000

2.0

57,800

38,000

1.7

54,600

17,000

1.6

27,200

20,000

1.6

32,000

12,000

1.4

16,400

15,000

1.5

22,500

18,000

1.5

27,000

21,000

1.4

29.400

10,000

1.1

11,000

11,000

1.2

13,200

16,000

1.3

20,800

18,000

1.2

21,600

18,000

1.3

23,400

24,000

1.6

38.400

5,000

1.3

6,500

7,000

1.8

12,600

24,000

1.6

38.400

27,000

1.8

48,600

6,000

1.3

8,000

8,000

1.3

10,400

48,000

2.4

115,200

51,000

1.5

76,500

56,000

2.4

134,400

60,000

2.1

126.000

8,000

1.8

14,400

10,000

1.5

15,000

44,000

2.7

118,800

49,000

2.4

117.600

53,000

2.4

127,200

58,000

2.0

116.000

41,000

2.0

82,000 •

47,000

2.1

98,700

24,000

1.5

36,000

27,000

2.1

56,700

23,000

2.0

46,000

26,000

2.0

52,000

46,000

2.0

92,000

50.000

2.0

100,000

24,000

1.9

45,600

27,000

1.5

40,500

5,000

1.2

6,000

6,000

1.3

7,800

21,000

1.2

25,200

24,000

1.2

28,800

5,000

1.4

7,000

6,000

2.3

13,000

21,000

1.4

29,400

24.000

1.4

33,600

27,000

1.3

35,100

33,000

1.5

49,500

9,000

1.9

1.88

17,100

12,000

1.4

1.77

16,800

150,000

2,162,000

1,323.000

2,260,000

30

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Apples.

A heavy June freeze in the important Bitter Root producing district was princi-
pally the reason for the drastic cut in apple production in 1924 compared with 1923.
Total Crop in 1924 was placed at 574,000 bushels compared with 980,000 in 1923, while
the commercial crop was placed at 70,000 barrels compared with the 1923 estimate
of 130,000. Carlot shipments from the 1924 crop to January 31, 1925, were but 142
cars compared with a movement of 420 cars to February 2, a year ago. The amount
of fancy and high grade apples in 1924 was relatively less than the preceding year.

MONTANA COMMERCIAL APPLE PRODUCTION.

Crop Year:

Total Crop
Bushels

Commercial

Crop

(Barrels)

Cars Shipped
of This Crop

1924

574,000

1

70,000

*

1923

1 970,000

130,000

451

1922

1 610,000

115,000

351

1921

1
i 975,000

1

175,000

687

♦Shipping season from Aug. 20th to May 31. Up to Jan. 31, 1925 — 142 cars had moved, in-
dicating on basis of percentage usually shipped by this date that only about S to 10 cars
remain to be shipped.

Other Fruits and Miscellaneous Prodncts.

Pears, plums and prunes are also grown in varying small quantities west of the
Continental Divide, but the principal commercial fruit crop other than apples is
cherries. The large sweet cherries of the Flathead region and the canning cherries
of the Bitter Root valley are increasing as additional sources of farm income in
those sections. There is also a small amount of berry fruits produced here, chief
among which are strawberries. In southeastern Montana, watermelons are grown
in small commercial quantities in recent years, principally in Rosebud county.

Beans.

Bean production has shown a large expansion in recent years with the intro-
duction of the Great Northern variety which in 1924 is estimated to have comprised
about 95 per cent of the total crop. Yellowstone, Carbon, Big Horn, and Stillwater
counties have the bulk of the bean acreage, but many other localities have come
into production in the past two years. Beans are grown on both irrigated and dry
lands, and average yields have been relatively good.

Canning and Seed Peas.

Seed peas grown on contract, mostly in irrigated valleys in the south-central,
central, southwestern and western districts, have been a growing contributor to farm
income in these sections in recent years. Peas for canning are grown in Ravalli
and Gallatin counties. Both crops were fair producers this year.

. Sugnr Beets.

Continued expansion in the acreage of sugar beets and new localities growing the
crop, marked the 1924 season compared with 1923. Farm income from beet produc-
tion in 1924 was estimated at $3,969,000 compared with $2,725,000 in 1923. Yellowstone,
Carbon, Stillwater, Big Horn, Treasure and Richland counties are the principal pro-
ducing areas. In the Billings district winter feeding of cattle and sheep with beet
pulp as the basis of the fattening ration has been developing on a considerable scale
with the beet sugar industry.

MONTANA CROPS

31

Alfalfa Seed.

southeastern Montana has long been a commercial producer of high grade alfalfa
seed. Other sections of the state also grow seed in varying surplus quantities. Gar-
field, Big Horn, Rosebud, and Powder River counties are the principal producers in
southeastern Montana. A small production is also found in the northern counties
along the Milk river and in localities west of the Continental Divide. Yields and
prices during the past two years have been relatively favorable.

Miscellaneous Crops.

Sweet clover seed, timothy seed, sunflowers for silage, cucumber seed, vegetable
and truck crops also feature in Montana farming, and not a few farmers secure a part
of their cash income from these sources.

MONTANA'S RANK WITH OTHER STATES IN CROP PRODUCTION.

CROP:

Spring Wheat
Winter Wheat

All Wheat

Oats

Barley

Flax

Rye

Rank

1924 CROP:

2 Potatoes

19 Apples (commercial)

5 Corn

16 Hay (tame)

15 Hay (wild)

4 Beans

10 All Crops

Rank

1924

33

40

31

15

6

7

28

Years

AVERAGE WAGES OF MALE FARM LABOR IN MONTANA.

Per Month.

With
Board

Without
Board

Per Day at Harvest

With
Board

Without
Board

Per Day Other Than
Harvest.

With
Board

Without
Board

1910
1922
1923
1924

$38.00
42.20
48.00
48.00

$50.00

63.00 II

65.50 I

67.00 I

$2.05
3.60
3.60
3.25

$2.80
4.40
4.52
4.30

$1.77
2.40
2.70
2.60

$2.66
3.20
3.55

3.40

AVERAGE ASSESSED VALUATION OF MONTANA LANDS.

yiiJAR: Irrigated Lands

Non-Irrigated
Agricultural Lands

Grazing Lands

1924

$52.37
51.15
51.38

$13.97
13.47
12.65

$5.39

1923

6.08

1922

6.51

AVERAGE VALUE OF PLOW LANDS PER ACRE.

Poor Plow Land

Good Plow Land

All Plowed Land

March:

Mon-
tana

Iowa

United
States

Mon-
tana

Iowa

United
States

Mon-
tana

Iowa

United
States

1924 .

$13
14
21

$107'
115
129

$43
45
51

$30
31
45

$169
181
196

$82
85
92

$21
22
24

$143 $64+
153 67

1923

1919

169 74

1

32 MONTANA FARM REVIEW

SEASONAL WEATHER SUMMARY, APRIL 1 TO SEPTEMBER, INCL^ 1924.
(By W. T. Lathrop, Meteorologist, U. S. Weather Bureau.)

Viewing it broadly the season was a dry one. For convenience in handling the
Montana weather data the regular and co-operative stations of the Weather Bureau are
ordinarily placed in three groups, designated respectively as West of the Divide;
Central Division, extending from the Continental Divide near to longitude 109°; and
Eastern Division, extending thence to the Dakotas, taking in, however, all of Carbon
County. In only one month during the season did any one of these divisions have
a general average of rainfall as great as the normal. This was in June, when the
eastern division averaged more than half an inch above normal. Yet the seasonal
precipitation for a large area in the northeast was above normal, and two small areas,
one in Glacier County, owing to heavy June and August rains, and one in northern
Carter County, owing to heavy June rains, likewise were above normal in their totals
for the season.

The greatest amount recorded in the state, for the season, was at a station nine
miles north of Babb, Glacier County, 16.55 inches. The least was 1.91, at Brenner,
Beaverhead County.

The geographical distribution of precipdtation for the season is too irregular to
depict verbally with any considerable degree of satisfaction. The totals were espe-
cially low west of the Divide, where the Bitter Root valley and the vicinity of Libby
received totals of less than 4.00 inches. Western Beaverhead County also had less
than 4.00 inches. The Yellowstone valley, between Big Timber and Miles City, varied
from a little more than 4.50 inches to about 7.00 inches. Portions of Hill, Liberty,
and Toole counties received less than 7.00 inches. The principal region over which
10.00 inches or more of precipitation was recorded extends from western Dawson
County northwestward into Canada, and westward over Garfield, northern Fergus,
Phillips, northern Blaine, and eastern Hill counties. Smaller areas with more than
10.00 inches are found in Glacier County, parts of Chouteau and Cascade, Wibaux,
and Carter counties, and small areas centering at Bozeman and Red Lodge.

The state precipitation was below normal for April the first time in five years.
The May precipitation was the lightest ever recorded in May; in this month every
station in the state had less than normal rainfall. In June the excess in the east
end carried the state average above normal. Rains which became general about the
close of the first week of June ended drought in various sections. Heavy snow fell
in the northwest, Columbia Falls reporting 14 inches, and ice appeared in western
and central parts of the state. The benefits from the precipitation outweighed the
ill effects of low and freezing temperatures upon fruit, vegetables, and alfalfa, but
the losses sustained by some farmers were severe. July rains were the lightest
in five years for that month, and August in three, while lighter September precipita-
tion has been recorded only four times in thirty years.

Temperatures generally were moderate and no new records were set, notwith-
standing the cold snap in June. It was, however, the coolest June since 1917. Only
one month. May, averaged higher than normal for the state. In April, June, and
August all divisions were below normal In May, July and September the eastern
division was below normal and the other two above. The highest temperature regis-
tered was 110° at Roy, Fergus County, on the 27th of August.

MONTANA CROPS

33

Figure XV.

PRECIPITATION DURING GROWING SEASON 1924 (Inches and Hundreths).

Departure

EASTERN DIVISION— Total from

April May June July Aug. Sept. Seas. Normal

Biddle 1.20 0.62 1.70 2.73 0.13 0.51 6.89 —5.17

Billings 0.59 2.05 1.74 1.96 0.12 0.48 6.94 —2.79

Circle 0.83 0.96 4.84 1.17 5.04 0.36 13.20 —0.19

Crow Agency" 0.64 1.95 3.18 2.25 0.00 0.52 8.54 —1.32

Culbertson 1.03 1.16 3.52 1.59 1.23 0.53 9.06 —1.32

Ekalaka 1.22 0.81 6.20 1.44 0.65 0.36 10.68 +0.36

Glasgow 1.09 1.90 4.84 1.01 3.10 0.46 12.40 +3.22

Glendive 1.44 0.85 4.34 1.42 0.51 0.17 8.73 —2.22

Malta 0.64 1.38 4.62 1.08 1.21 1.10 10.03 —1.15

Miles City 1.31 0.34 1.72 0.39 0.66 0.15 4.57 —3.78

Plevna 1.61 0.47 3.31 1.75 0.83 0.81 8.78 —1.71

Red Lodge 1.52 1.93 3.09 1.97 1.10 1.47 11.08 —2.42

Savage 1.30 0.70 3.97 2.41 1.24 0.25 9.87 —2.25

Snowbelt 0.92 1.93 4.85 0.62 1.91 0.44 10.67

Valentine 0.68 1.28 3.65 0.77 1.15 0.66 8.19 —1.49

Wheaton 1.26 1.94 2.99 1.11 1.11 0.24 8.65 —1.99

White Water 0.68 1.65 5.86 1.80 1.49 1.14 12.62 +1.77

CENTRAL DIVISION—

Adel 2.17 2.63 3.68 1.47 1.45 2.44 13.84 —1.40

Agr' cultural College 2.82 1.90 1.46 1.95 0.20 2.89 11.22 —1.29

Augusta 0.68 0.33 2.11 1.08 0.51 0.62 5.33 —6.82

Big Timber 0.70 0.87 0.25 1.90 0.30 0.67 4.69 —5.54

Brenner 0.30 0.11 0.21 0.41 0.06 0.82 1.91 —5.00

Browning 0.25 0.44 6.35 1.01 3.10 0.42 11.57 +2.29

Cascade 0.59 0.76 2.87 0.71 1.19 0.97 7.09 —6.37

Chinook 1.21 1.02 5.16 1.23 0.58 1.12 10.32 +0.69

Choteau 0.48 0.30 2.21 0.88 0.71 1.22 5.80

Cut Bank 0.61 0.26 6.41 0.58 1.89 0.68 10.43 —0.50

Denton 0.71 1.48 4.90 0.53 0.98 1.48 10.08 —0.71

Dillon 0.62 0.53 1.28 1.98 0.51 1.85 6.77 —5.19

Dunkirk 0.53 0.32 3.19 0.47 1.92 0.80 7.23 —1.59

Findon 1.43 0.82 1.77 1.31 0.95 1.54 7.82 —5.30

Fort Shaw 0.15 0.55 1.91 1.09 0.74 0.75 5.19 —2.66

Geraldine 0.88 0.93 3.27 0.50 1.25 1.91 8.74 —4.05

Great Falls 0.78 1.07 4.12 0.93 0.53 2.37 9.80 —1.20

Havre 1.00 0.78 5.76 0.70 1.39 0.64 10.27 +0.14

Hebgen Dam 0.91 1.00 1.00 3.22 0.91 2.78 9.82 —0.17

Helena 0.50 0.87 1.14 0.89 0.25 1.15 4.80 —1.22

Holter 0.65 1.37 1.57 0.51 1.02 0.87 5.99 —4.51

Kinread 0.36 0.19 3.20 0.61 2.26 0.42 7.04

Livingston 1.89 1.18 1.35 3.16 0.43 1.76 9.77 —0.24

Renova 0.88 0.54 0.64 0.87 0.28 1.23 4.44 —4.54

Three Forks 1.65 0.70 1.24 1.19 0.08 1.96 6.82 —0.45

Utica 0.88 1.46 2.65 1.23 0.69 1.47 8.38 —3.68

Valier .0.56 0.30 4.68 0.61 2.39 0.57 9.11 —0.57

Virginia City 0.90 0.63 0.72 1.56 0.45 2.13 6.39 —3.30

White Sulp. Sprgs 0.5ft 1.00 1.20 0.95 T. 0.80 4.51 —4.13

WEST OF DIVIDE—

Anaconda 1.44 0.54 0.82 2.06 0.27 1.24 6.37 —2.59

Butte 0.39 0.66 0.70 1.37 0.25 0.71 4.08 —4.80

Columbia Falls 0.46 0.53 5.28 0.59 1.36 1.29 9.51 —2.37

Eureka 0.04* 0.37 2.40 0.89 1.03 1.11 5.84

Haugan 1.11 0.11 1.52 0.81 1.08 1.22 5.85 —2.57

Heron 1.17 0.21 1.52 0.85 1.03 1.17 5.95 —4.72

Kalispell 0.01 0.39 3.24 0.97 0.74 0.90 6.25 —1.64

Libby 0.30 0.40 1.23 0.31 1.20 0.54 3.98 —4.49

Missoula 0.28 0.77 1.24 0.58 0.75 0.51 4.13 —4.49

Philipsburg 0.53 1.27 1.53 1.82 0.57 0.51 6.23 —4.29

Plains 0.30 0.34 1.86 0.43 1.26 0.31 4.50 —3.22

St. Ignatius 0.95 0.87 2.90 . 0.90 1.03 0.60" 7.25 —3.13

Stevensville 0.32 0.35 1.15 1.01 0.32 0.65 3.80 —3.73

Superior 0.73 0.30 1.86 0.85 1.52 0.57 5.83

Thompson Falls 0.90 0.28 1.98 0.82 1.78 0.82 6.58 —1.48

Victor 0.67 0.37 0.51 1.01 0.25 0.81 3.62 —3.63

State Average 0.79 0.84 2.73 1.12 1.00 0.87 7.35

♦Incomplete.

tFreezing temperature recorded each month.

j Average Based on records mostly 10 years old and over.

Length of

Growing Season

Days

Days

1924Average$

96

118

97

133

96

111

132

135

119

109

120

114

119

144

131

• 109

127

144

151

124

126

103

88

126

119

132

140

116

118

t

97

100

108

64

86

112

113

85

92

107

114

t

89

101

77

84

121

129

127

86

112

123

115

134

129

114

96

67

121

134

113

86

122

139

140

149

139

132

126

95

43

164

142

149

121

100

132

124

112

106

100

122

115

118

130

93

109

95

94

105

93

95

112

97

83

143

t

73

t

97

103

154

82

93

135

119

84

74

96

110

121

92

122

98

92

121

125

124

114

34

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

MONTANA LIVESTOCK 35

Montana Livestock

Inyentory Changes During 1924.

Total numbers as estimated on January 1, 1925, compared with a year ago shovi
a gain of 53,000 head for all cattle, a gain of 66,000 head for all sheep, a loss of

8,000 head for all horses, and practically the same numbers as a year ago for all
hogs and mules. Total value as of date January 1, 1925, of all livestock on farms
and ranges aggregated $93,942,000, a gain of about five and a half million dollars.

Table XTL

ANNUAL LIVESTOCK ESTIMATE FOR MONTANA JANUARY, 1925,
(Estimates for three years previous for comparison.)

Montana Livestock on farms and

ranges, 1925-24-23-22: Total Number. Average Value per Head. Total Value.

HORSES:

Jan. 1, 1925 593,000 $30.00 $17,790,000

Jan. 1, 1924 611,000 31.00 18,941,000

Jan. 1, 1923 643,000 38.00 24,434,000

Jan. 1, 1922 670,000 41.00 27,470,000

MULES:

Jan. 1, 1925 , 9.000 50.00 450,000

Jan. 1, 1924 9,000 55.00 495,000

Jan. 1, 1923 9,000 60.00 540,000

Jan. 1, 1922 9,000 69.00 621,000

MILK COWS:

Jan. 1, 1925 t 220,000 50.00 11,000,000

Jan. 1. 1924 204,000 53.00 10,812,000

Jan. 1, 1923 173,000 55.00 9,515,000

Jan. 1, 1922 160,000 58.00 9,280,000

OTHER CATTLE:

Jan. 1, 1925 1,285,000 27.10 34,824.000

Jan. 1, 1924 1,248,000 27.60 34,445,000

Jan. 1, 1923 1,273,000 30.90 39,336,000

Jan. 1, 1922 1,260,000 27.20 34.272,000

ALL CATTLE:

Jan. 1, 1925 1,505,000 30.45 45,824,000

Jan. 1 1924 1,452,000 31.17 45,257,000

Jan. 1, 1923 1,446,000 33.78 48,851,000

Jan. 1, 1922 , ......1,420,000 30.60 43,552,000

SHEEP:

Jan. 1, 1925 2,536,000 10.40 26,374,000

Jan. 1, 1924 2,370,000 8.70 - 20,619,000

Jan. 1, 1923 2,270,000 8.70 19,749,000

Jan. 1, 1922 2,270,000 4.70 10,669,000

SWINE:

Jan. 1, 1925 292,000 12.00 3,504,000

Jan. 1, 1924 292,000 11.00 3,270,000

Jan. 1, 1923 225,000 13.20 2,970,000

Jan. 1. 1922 .- 180,000 13.10 2,358,000

VALUES OF ABOVE CLASSES OF LIVESTOCK IN MONTANA.

January 1, 1925 $93,942,000

January 1, 1924 88,582,000

January 1, 1923 96,544,000

January 1. 1922 84.671,000

LIVESTOCK ON FARMS AND RANGES IN UNITED STATES JAN. 1, 1925 and 1924.

CLASS: Year. Numbers. Av. Value per Head. Total Value.

HORSES: 1925 17,589,000 $62.95 $1,107,248,000

1924 18,059,000 64.45 1,163,914,000

MULES: 1925 5,411.000 80.60 436.122,000

1924 5,446,000 84.18 458,463,000

MILK COWS: 1925 25,319.000 50.50 1.278.714,000

1924 24,786.000 52.16 1.292.736,000

OTHER CATTLE: 1925 39.609,000 24.49 970,117,000

1924 41,720,000 25.08 1,045,523,000

SHEEP 1925 39,134,000 9.5S 372.909,000

1924 38,300,000 7.87 301,455.000

SWINE: 1925 54,234,000 12.34 669,402,000

1924 66,130.000 9.75 644,496,000

TOTAL VALUE ABOVE CLASSES IN UNITED STATES JAN. 1, 1925 $4,834,512,000

TOTAL VALUE ABOVE CLASSES IN UNITED STATES JAN. 1. 1924 $4,906,587,000

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Beef Cattle.

Continued disparity between market prices for beef and production costs and
difficulties in financing beef-cattle production have resulted in another poor year
for the industry. Stockmen specializing in beef cattle have faced this situation during
the entire post-war period, during which they have seen the beef-cattle dollar fluctu-
ate about a low point in purchasing power, such as would appear ultimately to
mean certain elimination for many producers. On the other hand neither stockyard
receipts, nor assessment data indicate any appreciable decrease in total numbers of
cattle, and there is evidence of an increase In numbers of what may be tenned
farm cattle, as a consequence of the loss of market for feed crops in recent years,
and the necessity on part of the grain farmer of increasing his livestock to utilize this
surplus on the farm. This competition from the farmer has added to the diffi-
culties of the range cattleman.

Figure XTV.

PiSTRiBUTlON OF /=)LLCprrLe" T^N I, \QZS
ToT«i- NoMB.G'R \,StT,ooo H6T

• EACH DOT ;,00O HI

Some Favorable Asjyects of the Beef Cattle Situation.

In the Agricultural Outlook, issued by the U. S. Department of Agriculture in
February (1925), prospects for the beef cattle industry were characterized as being
moderately favorable with the promise of 1925 prices averaging somewhat higher
than for 1924. Among aspects that were considered favorable were the following:

(1) The trend toward smaller numbers. Cattle other than milk cows in twelve
range states on January 1, 1925 declined 4.6 per cent from the preceding year and
were 7.9 per cent below 1922 indicating a downward trend in range cattle production.

(2) Cattle on feed in the corn belt states on January 1, 1925, were 18 per cent
less than on January 1, 1924, with marketings and slaughter in December (1924)
the largest since 1919. This is a tangible promise of reduced competition in range
cattle markets from well finished cattle next summer and fall,

(3) The relation of beef to competing commodities especially pork is more favor-
able than a year ago (1924). In other words a tendency toward higher pork prices
will check substitution of pork for beef if not tend to reverse this competition. Prom-
ise of improved industrial conditions in 1925 is also favorable for somewhat larger
consumption of beef.

MONTANA LIVESTOCK 37

(4) With an improvement in the feed situation and in the prices for finished
cattle, a fairly active demand for stockers and feeders is expected in the fall of
1925 and prices for such cattle should average a little higher than in the fall of
1924.

On the Otlier Hand.

On the other hand, the federal report points out that even at present price levels
(January, 1925), American beef cannot compete with Argentine beef in, the European
markets, so there is no prospect of an improved export trade, although any probable
increase in the price level is not expected to be great enough to attract Argentine
beef to the United States. From another federal source it is pointed out that virtually
all dairy cattle eventually are slaughtered in competition with beef and that expan-
sion in the dajiry industry is still in progress, January 1, numbers (1925) having
been estimated (for all United States) at 24,600,000, compared with 23,400,000 in 1919
and 20,400,000 in 1913.

From a Montana Viewpoint.

The State Agricultural College has the following to say with relation to the
beef cattle situation in Montana:

"While immediate prospects for the grower of beef cattle show only a slight im-
provement, it is generally expected that this improvement will continue for some
years."

The college also calls attention to the fact that the spread between high grade
stuff and inferior to common grades has been great and will probably continue, and
that higher grade stock is what is demanded by the feeder buyer.

The development of finishing and fattening cattle in some sections of Montana,
where surplus of feed grains, hay and concentrates can be utilized is already a factor
for some improvement in the state's beef industry, as is also the trend toward earlier
maturing types, which though hampered by lack of ability to finance on the part of
many producers, is nevertheless making some headway.

Sheep.

Increased numbers of sheep on farms and ranges and a larger production of
wool in 1924 compared with 1923 have been the response of Montana sheepmen to the
trend of market prices of sheep and wool. The sheep industry is in its strongest
position since war days, and after three years of improvement has now reached
a point where most, if not all, of old indebtedness has been liquidated. Prices of
breeding stock have reached the highest point since the war period and there is
indirect evidence of a large number of sales. There was a tendency last fall to
withhold ewe lambs in marketings, and present signs point to some further ex-
pansion in the sheep industry in 1925.

Hogs.

Expansion in the hog industry reached a peak in 1924, when marketings practi-
cally doubled those of the preceding year. January 1 numbers on farms (1925) were
estimated as being practically the same as a year ago, while the December pig survey
made by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, indicated a moderate reduction in num-
bers of sows bred for spring pigs (1925 crop).

Horses.

Horse raising as an industry has declined to a point where it is relatively unim-
portant. Total numbers of horses on farms and ranges have declined steadily in the
past five years, and breeding at present is largely confined to that necessary to main-
tain farm numbers.

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Tigme XV.

DiSTRiBUTIOM OF SHEEP TANUftRV I, igi5~.

• EACH DOT 1,000 HEAD

Milk Cows and Dairying.

A further increase in numbers of milk cows on farms compared with a year ago
was shown by the January 1 (1925) estimate, which placed this increase at 16,000
head. The increase in dairying in Montana in recent years has not come about so
much in farms making milk production their principal operation, as it has in farms
which have come to milk cows for additional cash income, and as part of a plan
to diversify their program during recent years of low wheat prices.

MANUFACTURED DAIRY PRODUCTS.
(Source: ..Records of Dairy Division, Montana Department of Agriculture.)

YEAR:

Number
Creameries
Operating

Butter

Made

Pounds

! Number
i Cheese
; Factories
j Operating-

Cheese

Made

Pounds

Ice Cream
1 Made
1 Gallons

1921

53
57
67

I

7,464,679

7,815,847

10,721,595

! 5

i

1 5 1

1 !
1 6 1
1 1
1 1

158,559

188,889
250,000

!

i 481,160*

1922 .-.

355,041*

1923

1

i 711,762

i

•Incomplete.
••Partly Estimated.

Poultry and Poultrj^ Products.
Income from poultry and poultry products in 1924 was about the same as in
1923. The following table shows the growth of the poultry industry since 1919.

YEAR:

Number
Chickens
Raised.

Dozens of

Eggs
Produced.

Receipts from
Sales of
Chickens
and Eggs.

1919

1 3,247.090 1 11,858.042 | $2,160,209
3,400.000 ! Ifi. 200.000 1 2.533.000

1923*

1924*

3.440.000

16.450.000

1 2.598.000

•1923 and 1924 items estimated.

MONTANA LIVESTOCK

39

Poultry raising in the past year has faced lower prices than in 1923 for chickens
and eggs which have held down gross returns from the industry. Improvement
in marketing practices may be expected to better the prices to producers.

Turkey raising has expanded rapidly during recent years and reached a peak in
1923 when it was estimated that 241,500 turkeys were raised. Production in 1924 fell
off somewhat from that figure according to the evidence available, due largely
to unsatisfactory prices for the 1923 crop.

0ees and Honey.

With the increase in acreage of crops affording bee pasture, apiculture has made
a steady progress in Montana in recent years. The 1920 census placed the number
of bee colonies in the state at 12,000 and the 1924 number will total fifty per cent
larger. Estimated income from honey and wax in 1924 was $176,000 compared with
$170,000 in 1923. Montana usually ranks first among all other states in average pro-
duction of surplus honey per colony, having an average yield of 82 pounds per colony
over the ten-year period 1913-1921. The 1924 season was not as favorable as 1923
and average yield per colony dropped to 88 pounds compared with 118 pounds in the
preceding year.

Figure XVL

Aug Sept Oc:^

A/ou

Dec

Jd/

rc.6

/y/ar

Aor/7

m

'^

^^,

Hotv /VIONTANA L/vesiocA sr^ Shippec/

/yfonfhy percentdges of se^soo^/sh/pmenf^
o/" edch c/dss andd// Iji/estock show?7'by /he
rtc orals oF c&r/of sh/pme^ Xr re^r/ec/ h the .

US D/V/S/OA/ or C/iOP AA/D I /t/SSTOC/^ /^ST/MATTS

Aup1930 To Jlify 1924

MONTANA WOOL PRODUCTION.

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

Wool Produced (thousands of pounds) | 18,2671 16,000| 16,400| 16,770| 17,775| 19,316

Montana's Rank with other States I 3 1 5 1 5 1 4 1 3 1 3

40

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

How Montana Liyestock are Shipped.

The seasonal peak of shipments of cattle and sheep coincides with that of crops,
coming in October. This is due to the fact that the bulk of marketings of cattle and
sheep is made up of range stuff, which finishes as grass-fat stock with the curing
of grass on the ranges in August and September, the flesh gain being essentially that
of a crop from the ranges. Hogs do not follow the trend of cattle and sheep market-
ings, reaching a much lower peak in January following fall feeding and also show a
secondary peak in the spring when the winter fed hogs are unloaded. The proportion
of hogs going into carlot shipments is less than with cattle and sheep since
as yet a relatively large part of Montana's pork production is needed at home and
is slaughtered locally. Winter and early spring marketings of cattle and sheep have
tended toward some increase in recent years, with the introduction of winter feeding
of cattle and sheep principally in the Billings district, with the development of the
sugar beet industry.

Where Montana Livestock are Shipped.

Chicago takes the bulk of Montana's shipments of cattle and sheep, St. Paul fol-
lowing as the second important market. The figure below shows distribution of
1923 shipments of cattle and sheep at important stockyards. Usual distribution of
Montana's marketings will conform quite closely to the 1923 graph.

Hog shipments up until last year have not represented a very large percentage
of the state's production, the industry in its present stage of development requiring
the bulk of its production for local slaughter and packing demand. In 1924 shipments
doubled those of 1923 following the large production in 1924. A large share of ship-
ments went to coast markets although St. Paul received a good portion of the mar-
ketings.

Fi&nre XVII.

WHERE MONTANA LIVESTOCK ARE SHIPfiED -i^^— .
PERCENTAGE OF 1923 STOCKYARD RECEIPTS OF CATTLE AND SHEEP
RECEIVED AT EACH IMPORTANT MARKET

CflTTl^B-

^/f£'£P

MONTANA LIVESTOCK 41

Table XVH.

NUMBERS OF HORSES, CATTLE AND SHEEP BY COUNTIES.

(As shown by assessors to State Board of Equalization, 1924.)

DISTRICT AND COUNTY: All Horses All Cattle. All Sheep.

NORTHWESTERN:

Flathead 3,833 9,164 3,310

Lincoln 1,687 2,537 116

Lake 4,375 10,222 2,312

Sanders 2,500 9,863 5,716

NORTH CENTRAL:

Blaine 14,599 33,322 94,626

Chouteau , 13,731 25.599 36,561

Glacier 4,685 15,592 29.230

Hill 10,944 12.743 13,551

Liberty 3,488 6,565 7,844

Pondera 9,309 14,802 26,620

Teton 9,410 19,151 36,972

Toole 5,721 7,502 26,703

NORTHEASTERN :

Daniels 7,832 10,713 3,708

Phillips 18,165 23,781 49,038

Roosevelt 9,430 13,490 1,209

Sheridan 14, 099 18, 471 6, 823

Valley 28 , 838 29 , 413 63 , 815

WEST CENTRAL:

Deer Lodge 1,392 5,490 4,278

Granite 2,881 11,194 9,849

Mineral 568 848 359

Missoula 2,886 9,520 1,572

Powell 3,610 16,378 84,990

Ravalli 5 , 236 18 , 593 18,630

CENTRAL:

Broadwater 3,540 11,361 24.026

Cascade 10,078 31,525 69,557

Fergus : 24,579 49,186 50,710

Golden Valley : 5,084 9,780 9,807

Jefferson .-. 3,481 12,661 5,044

Judith Basin 7,691 33.577 41,769

Lewis and Clark 4,977 24,801 59,205

Meagher 4,300 20,492 100,977

Musselshell 6,092 12,138 8,431

Wheatland 4,737 20,129 53,416

EAST CENTRAL:

Dawson 14,582 20,989 8,848

Garfield 16,468 23.989 56,905

McCone ; 18 , 336 21 . 112 12 , 887

Prairie 10 , 521 15 . 061 13 . 965

Richland 13,443 17.186 7,655

Wibaux 5 , 931 7 . 582 2 , 268

SOUTHWESTERN:

Beaverhead 12,017 79,359 158,145

Madison 8, 907 33, 696 104, 282

Silver Bow 2,016 5,654 4.092

SOUTH CENTRAL:

Carbon 7,118 12,831 21,148

Gallatin 10,618 18.985 16,313

Park 5 , 991 20 . 141 53 . 611

Stillwater 7,839 17,988 25,812

Sweet Grass 5,482 22,299 58,332

Yellowstone 11,553 20,368 41,690

SOUTHEASTERN :

Big Horn ; 7,928 60.709 28,970

Carter 11,103 27,299 82,375

Custer 11 , 068 41 . 092 49, 354

Fallon 8 , 860 14 ,954 7 , 346

Powder River 10,204 45.780 17,230

Rosebud 8,667 20.331 63,286

Treasure 2,630 7,950 9,524

STATE 465,060 1,105,958 1,794,812

♦Estimated Total Number on Jan. 1, 1924 611,000 1,452,000 2,370,000

Estimated Total Number on Jan. 1, 1925 593,000 1,505,000 2,536,000

*By U. S. Denison, Crop and Livestock Estimates.

42

MONTANA FARM REVIEW

Table XVllL

ESTIMATED MILK COWS BY COUNTIES— JAN. 1, 1919, 1924 and 1925.

DISTRICT AND COUNTY:

NORTHWESTERN :

Flathead

Lake :

Lincoln _

Sanders

NORTH CENTRAL:

Blaine ....
Chouteau
Glacier „

Hill

Lib.rty ..
Pondera
Teton ....
Toole

NORTHEASTERN :

Daniels

Phillips

Roosevelt

Sheridan

Valley

WEST CENTRAL:

Deer Lodge

Granite

Mineral

Missoula

Powell

Ravalli

CENTRAL:

Broadwater

Cascade

Fergus

Golden Valley

Jefferson

Judith Basin

Lewis and Clark

Meagher

Musselshell

Wheatland

EAST CENTRAL:

Dawson

Garfield

McCone

Prairie

Richland

Wibaux

SOUTHWESTERN :

Beaverhead

Madison

Silver Bow :

SOUTH CENTRAL:

Carbon

Gallatin

Park

Stillwater

Sweet Grass •

Yellowstone

SOUTHEASTERN :

Big Horn

Carter

Custer

Fallon

Powder River

Rosebud

Treasure

STATE 153, 425

1919

1924

1925

Census

Revised

Estimate

Jan. 1.

Jan. 1.

Jan. 1.

5.411

6,000

6,500

2.200

2,700

864

1,300

1,600

1,295

2.200

2,700

3,068

4,200

4,400

5,147

5,000

5.100

462

400

700

4,413

4,800

5.000

1,032

900

900

2,029

3,800

4.000

2.872

3,400

3.600

1,159

1,500

2,000

2,700

2.800

3,601

4,700

4.800

2,897

4,300

4.600

9,078

9,800

9.900

3,488

2.900

3.300

917

1,400

1,600

1,471

2,600

2,800

286

400

500

4,645

6,000

6,300

2,396

4,300

4.600

6,886

8,000

8.500

1,580

2,200

2,500

6,061

7,000

7.200

11,312

■ 10,400

10.300

2,700

2.900

2,670

4,000

3.900

4.200

4,300

3,078

3,800

5.000

1,114

2,900

3,300

5,317

4,500

4.700

1,942

3,800

3,900

1,708

3,500

3,800

1,402

1.800

2,200

1,772

1,600

2,400

1,527

2,100

2,700

3,698

5,300

5,500

2,412

3.000

3,600

1,573

2,000

2,200

3,033

4.700

4,800

2,232

3,800

5,000

4,047

4,800

4,800

6,855

7,600

7,700

3,237

4,000

4,300

3,667

4,400

4,700

2,221

3,200

3,300

7.371

8,400

8,500

1,534

2,400

2,900

796

1,500

1,700

1,961

3,000

3,200

2,355

3,300

3,600

418

800

900

2,193

2,700

3,000

922

1,800

2.300

204.000

220.000

MONTANA LIVESTOCK

43

Monthly Condition Beports on Banges — Cattle and Sheep.

In co-operation with stockmen throughout the state, the Montana Crop reporting
service, issues monthly reports on average conditions of ranges, cattle and sheep,
together with information relating to marketing intentions, feed supplies, calf and
Iamb crops, etc.

The condition of ranges, cattle and sheep is estimated monthly on the basis of
100 per cent representing a high average condition of health and flesh as it relates to
stock and as a high average actual and potential condition of range grass as it re-
lates to ranges.

Weather conditions affecting growth and feeding quality of grass ultimately re-
flect themselves in condition of livestock and monthly estimates of these factors
give a good picture of what is taking place during the range feeding and winter
seasons.

The graph shows the trend of factors affecting condition of ranges, cattle and
sheep during the months of 1923 and 1924. Both years were favorable ones on the
whole, considering that an average condition of 90 per cent is rated as very good and
that of 100 per cent and over as excellent.

Figure XVIIL

tVIOWT-MS

WOKTHLY CONDITION OF RR»s» CCS, CflTTLE fINO 5HeEP(«/i> oFf^JVwft^

44 MONTANA FARM REVIEW

MONTANA CALF AND LAMB CROPS, AND LOSSES OF CATTLE AND SHEEP.

TEAR:

Calf Crop*
Per Ceni

Lamb Crop*
Per Cent

Cattle Losses**
Per Cent

Sheep Losses**
Per Cent

1922

69

70

75
73
81

9
6
6

11

1928

6

1924

74

6

*Based upon number of cows and ewes of breeding age on hand at the beginning of the year.
•♦Based upon the total number of cattle and sheep on hand at the beginning of the year.

INDEX

REPORTING DISTRICTS MAP OF Inside Front

FOREWORD _

CROPS

Acreage Shifts 1924

Acreage Trends Since 1920

Alfalfa Seed

Apples ^

Beans

Corn

Crop Summary 1924

Dockage in Wheat

Durum Wheat _ _

Flax

Hay

Miscellaneous Crops

Montana's Rank with Other States ...

Oats

Peas

Percent Wheat in Federal Grades

Potatoes

Precipitation

Production Shifts 1924

Rye

Spring Wheat _,

Sugar Beets „

Total Farm Value of Crops 1924

Total Tonnage

Valuation of Lands

Values Per Acre of Crops 1924

Wages Farm Labor

Weather Summary

Weights Per Bushel Montana Grain

Winter Wheat „

Yields Per Acre 1924

15,

FARM INCOME

Comparison 1924 with 1923 by Districts and Counties

Comparison of Receipts by District (graph)

Crop Income by Months

Crop Shipments by Months

Percentage Receipts from Various Sources

Prices of Farm Products —

Total Income from Crops by Counties (graph)

Total Income from Crops and Livestock by Counties (grraph)

Total for State _

Values of Crops and Livestock Sold by Counties

LIVESTOCK

Beef Cattle _

Bees and Honey „

Calf and Lamb Crops

Condition of Range Stock and Ranges ,

Hogs ,

Horses „ -

Livestock Assessments by Counties

Milk Cows and Dariying

Poultry „

Sheep »

Shipment of Livestock

Summary of Numbers and Values

Wool Production

Cover

12, 31
12
13
31
30
23
30

25, 26
16
17
17

20. 21
28, 29
30, 31
31
22
30
17

26, 27
33, 34

14
24

18, 19
30
15
12
31
15
31
32
19

19. 20
14

3, 11

4, 7

5

8

10
4

11
6
7
3
9

35. 44

36. 37
39
44
43
87
87
41

38, 42

38, 39

37. 38

39. 40
35
39