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GRAIN
GROWN IN MONTANA
"les the Soil and Climate"
WINNER 105 PREMIUMS
Chicago International Hay
and Grain Show
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SEP 4198&
Montana State Library
III
3 0864 1004 5709 5
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MONTANA FARK46®®VIEW
VOLUME IV
By
JAY G. DIAMOND
Agricultural Statistician
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
Bureau of Agricultural Economics
Washington, D. C.
T. P. COOPER, CHIEF OF BUREAU
and
MONTANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
A. H. BOWMAN, COMMISSIONER
COOPERATING
JOINT BULLETIN
This Publication is Issued and Circulated by Authority of the State of Montana
Helena Montana
MtSSOULIAN
BEftVERHEflD
yELLOWSTONE
FERGUS
vftuey
BLftlNE
SHERlDftN
5ALLATIN
CASCADE
CARBON
CHOUTERU
HILL
RICHLAND
I^^ADISON
ROOSEVELT
PHILLIPS
DANIELS
PftRK
TETON
BIG HORN
STILLV/ATE
RAVftlLl
Pondera
sweetgrass
TuDlTH Bft5»N|i
Rosebud
lEWIS^CLftRIS
FLftTHEAD
DAwsorV
LftKE
GARFI ELD
MCCONE
WHEATLAND
CUSTER
CARTER
Powell
POwDEKRrVER
FALLOrS /
r^lSSOULA
VIBAUX
WUSSELSHEIL
BROADWATER
GLftCl ER
TOOLE
PRAIRIE
&OLDENVflLLEy
GRANITG
LIBERTY
TPFFERSON
F\LL OTHCR&
ESTIMATED FARM SALES 1924-25
'w
Combined farm sales from 1925 crops and value of livestock products marketed
during the calendar year will total $122,533,000 compared with the revised esti-
mate of $124,474,000, the total for 1924. In this total a decrease of about 17
million dollars in sales of farm crops compared with the preceding season is very
nearly offset by an increase of little more than 15 million dollars in sales of
livestock and livestock products.
The value of farm sales of crops produced in 1923, 1924 and 1925, values of
sales of livestock and livestock products and total farm sales of the three years
are placed as follows by the joint estimate of Montana State Department of
Agriculture and the Federal Division of Crop and Livestock Estimates:
Value of Crops Value of Livestock Total
YEAR For Sale Sales Farm Sales
1923 $46,784,000 $50,872,000 $ 97,656,000
1924 a 74,343,000 50,131,000 124,474,000
1925 b 57,360,000 65,173,000 122,533,000
(a) Revised estimate for 1924. 1923 final estimate.
(b) Preliminary estimate for 1925 subject to revision next December.
Cash from livestock sources in 1924 fell below the contribution made by crop
sales, the large grain crop of that year causing this shift. In 1925 as was also
the case in 1923, livestock sales have exceeded sales of crops. The total sales
dollars of Montana farmers during the past three years has therefore been divided
as follows: >
Total
YEAR ^ Crop Sales Sale of Livestock, etc. Sales Dollar
1923 47.9 cents 52.4 cents 100.0 cents
1924 59.7 cents 40.3 cents 100.0 cents
1925 46.8 cents 53.2 cents 100.0 cents
In the above estimates the values of crop sales in the years compared repre-
sent, at the time estimates are made, some portion of crops still in farmers' hands
that is not sold by the end of the calendar year. Valuations are based on the
December 1 farm prices as determined by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
The total figures have their chief value in the relative changes they show between
the years compared and must not be considered as an actual measure each year
of cash income, which would be difficult to obtain closely even at the close of the
crop marketing season still several months away. However, with all years con-
sidered on the same basis the comparisons tend to become the same as that which
would be furnished by an actual computation.
Cash sales of crops are based upon the estimated surplus above farm needs
of feed, seed and food and tends to eliminate largely, such duplication in livestock
values where crops are fed on farms, but cannot eliminate a small duplication
arising in cases of farmers purchasing locally feed for livestock that are later
marketed. The cash sales of livestock and livestock products are based on market-
ings and estimated slaughter within the state of cattle, sheep and hogs during
the calendar year ending December 31. Other items in the livestock group are
estimated conservatively from such data as is available, and on approximately
the same basis each year.
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
The conclusion to be drawn from the combined estimates of farm sales is
that despite a losa in crop revenue, the state as a whole will receive in 1925 nearly
as much income from agricultural sources as in 1924.
The distribution of this income in the case of crops shows a lower return
for the grain farmers compared with last year, and about the same to slightly
lower returns to the more diversified farmers, excepting in some cases such as
commercial potato growers where a special crop has returned a better yield or
secured a better price.
The distribution in case of livestock shows a further moderate improvement
in the sheep industry and a rather marked improvement in the cattle industry
due to the general advance of the levels of cattle prices during the past year.
The swine industry, which in Montana is tied up largely with the small farm and
the more diversified farming, has also benefitted by the general improvement in
hog market values. Some of this benefit offsets losses in crop income in these
cases. Likewise the dairy industry in the state is tied up more closely with the
small farm, where it has tended to help out crop income, through somewhat
better prices of dairy products.
FARM SALES 1925 AND 1924
FROM CROPS:
1924
1925
All Wheat .
Total Value Sales
% 64,230,000 $55,879,000
7,903,000 1,580,000
1,794,000 269,000
1,019,000 204,000
4,729,000 4,398,000
7,484,000 748,000
26,310,000 3,947,000
2,603,000 911.000
374,000 101,000
1,346,000 1,076,000
657,000 526,000
3,967,000 3,969,000
680,000 305,000
3,300,000 430,000
Total Value
$ 48,243,000
7,608,000
2,358,000
1,036,000
2,684,000
6,255,000
25,613,000
6,048,000
no,ooo
1,525,000
1,265,000
3,080,000
1,225,000
3,080,000
Sales
$39,345,000
Oats
1,393,000
Barley
377,000
Rye
207,000
Plax
2,334,000
Corn.
625,000
All Hay . .
4,352.000
Potatoes
2,419,000
Apples - - -■
42,000
Beans ...
1.181,000
Peas
961,000
3,080,000
Alfalfa Seed
644.000
400.000
Total Above
|$126.396,000
$74,343,000 |$110,160,000 $57,360,000
FROM LIVESTOCK:
Sales 1924 Sales 1925
1 1
Cattle
Sheep and Lambs
Wool
Milk and Milk Products c/
Hogs
Poultry
Horses
Honey and Wax
Total from Livestock Sources.
$19,215,000
8,036,000
7,465,000
7,282,000
3,566.000
2.926.000
1,465.000
176,000
$50,131,000
$26,477,000
9.926,000
9.156,000
8.859,000
5.685,000
3,500,000
1,320,000
250.000
$65,173,000
Crop and Livestock Sales Combined.
$124,474,000
$122,533,000
c/ Dairy products estimated here do not Include value added by manufacture after
leaving farmers hands.
The largest single contributor to farm sales in the combined group of crop
and livestock items is wheat, which crop in 1924, out of a total agricultural sales
of 124 million dollars, returned 56 million dollars. In 1925 despite a drop to 39
million dollars in cash sales of wheat the total income has yielded to a decline
of but 2 million dollars, due largely to the strengthening prices for most of the
items In the livestock group. However, had livestock sold on the basis more in
line with that of 1924, the total income from sales would have tended downward
in line with the decline in wheat values. While there is a gradual trend to offset
ESTIMATED FARM SALES 5
the risk incurred by the large percentage of crop acreage in wheat, with a more
diversified farming and livestock, wheat by reason of its adaptability to Montana
conditions will continue to be an important factor in the total farm income for
a long time to come.
Meat cattle contribute the next largest share of the farm income aggregating
19 million in 1924 and 26 million in 1925. During the past five years preceding
1925 the cattle industry has been weathering a period of low beef prices and
relatively high production costs. The improvement in beef prices averaging about
50 cents per hundred, that came in 1925, made a very noticeable improvement in
the cattle industry. The first reaction of Montana cattlemen was to greatly in-
crease marketings. Just what the tendency will be toward re-stocking and building
up herds is still uncertain and will doubtless be influenced by the future trend of
beef prices. At present levels the industry would appear to be turning over to a
profitable basis and there is some indication that the general level of prices during
1926 will average near that of the past season. Comparatively the situation of the
cattle industry is now better than in any year of the post war period, with both
the immediate and long-time outlooks more favorable than in any recent year.
The third largest contributor to farm income is the sheep industry which
combining marketings of both sheep and wool returned about 15 million dollars
in 1924 and about 20 million dollars in 1925. The sheep industry has now enjoyed
almost four years of favorable prices for both wool and lambs, and while much
of the returns during the first half of this period were needed to liquidate old
indebtedness and to finance replacements after the severe deflation of 1920, it was
generally believed that by 1924 the industry was in a relatively prosperous con-
dition. If anything 1925 has added to the prosperity of the sheepman and while
the outlook for 1926 is not considered so favorable as 1925, it is generally expected
to be a good year. The national outlook, as judged by the United States Bureau
of Agricultural Economics, contemplate's a gradual slackening in demand for both
lambs and wool into 1926 and 1927, admitting, however, that there could be a
further increase in lamb and wool production in some sections at a profit, over
alternative enterprises, even though such expansion should result in somewhat
lower prices. The present trend of lamb and wool prices (January, 1926) is
somewhat lower than that of a year ago.
Among other contributors to farm sales is the flax crop which is a valuable
cash crop in the eastern and northeastern counties where it is chiefly grown.
Other special crops grown largely in concentrated areas are sugar beets, beans,
peas, and alfalfa seed. The aggregate of these crops runs into many millions of
dollars annually and the returns are concentrated into relatively small areas.
The trend of production of such crops has been upward and in most cases 1925
income from sales has exceeded those of 1924.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME
Although the state total of sales of both crops and livestock is only 2 million
dollars less than in 1924, differences in the two years in the various crop districts
of the state show a greater variation due to the mixed changes as between crops
and livestock sales within the districts. In the grain sections in 1924 farm
income was larger than usual due to a large wheat crop and a better than average
price. In the western third of the state income was reduced by a severe summer
drought which curtailed production of all principal crops and to some extent
reduced returns from livestock due to the poor condition of ranges. In 1925 this
area enjoyed a very favorable season, marketing larger crops generally with the
exception of apples and having a generally better return from livestock products.
The east central and southeastern districts, while showing a relatively large
6 MONTANA FARM REVIEW
decline in grain production compared with 1924, have marketed more cattle than
last year. The northeastern district, which in 1924 made a very large gain com-
pared with 1923, will show a strong decline from last year though it will still be
somewhat better than 1923 and recent years preceding that year. The north
central, central and south central districts are also large grain producing areas,
but in the central and south central districts considerable livestock is found which
has helped offset declines in crop values.
VALUE OF CROPS PRODUCED IN 1925 AND 1924 AND VALUE OF LIVESTOCK
AND ITS PRODUCTS MARKETED DURING CALENDAR YEARS
1
1924
Crops
1924
Livestock
1924
Total
1925
Crops
1925
Livestock
1925
Total
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead
Lincoln
1,683,900
333,800
1,304,800
475,300
3,040,000
4,531,300
679.900
3,659,800
1,101,300
2,196,700
2,847,100
866,600
4,888,300
2,272,000
5,372,600
7,433,500
5.263,800
331.000
440,700
104,700
863.700
971,300
893,000
3,390,800
6,629,900
1,171,000
572,500
3,228,200
1,246,600
714,6?0
1,401,700
966,000
3,433,600
1,881,900
3,095,600
1,721,600
5,728,300
1,952,500
2,296,100
1,862,300
141,000
3,634,800
3,301,600
1,743,800
2,862,500
1.776.300
6,672,000
2,529,100
1,376,600
1,626,900
2,536.000
1.055,300
2,022,900
770,900
126,896,000
432,000
125,000
608,000
504,000
1,925,000
1,166,000
852,000
762,000
274,000
638,000
842,000
688,000
543,000
1.460,000
701,000
826,000
1,323,000
102,000
750,000
169,000
473,000
974,000
559,000
1,531,000
1.878,000
371,000
519,000
890.000
1.295.000
1,394,000
553,000
1,178,000
536,000
842,000
544,000
379,000
675,000
303,000
3,650,000
1,662,000
913,000
1,054,000
1,301,000
1,434,000
857,000
1,254,000
1,907,000
1,042,000
868.000
834.000
357,000
992,000
989,000
227,000
50,131.000
2,115,900
458,800
1,912,800
979,300
4,965,600
5,697,300
1,531,900
4,421,800
1,375,300
2,834,700
3,689,100
1,554,600
5,431,300
3,732,000
6,073,600
8,259,500
6,586,800
433.000
1,190,700
273,700
1,336,700
1,945,300
1,452,000
4,921.800
8,507,900
1,542,000
1,091,500
4,118,200
2,541,600
2,108,600
1,954,700
2,144,000
3,969,600
2,723,900
3,639,600
2,100,600
6,403,300
2,255,500
5,946,100
3,524,300
1,054,000
4,688.800
4,602,600
3,177,800
3,719,500
3.030,300
8,579,000
3.571,100
2,244,600
2.360,900
2,893,000
2,047,300
3.011,900
997,900
176.527,000
2,478,400
446,900
1,906,600
606,100
3,067,400
3,364,300
639,900
3,760,500
1,048,600
2,486,500
2,786,700
838,800
3,310,600
2,235,200
3,249,700
4,379,500
4,191,200
360,000
523,200
152.300
1.385.400
1.046,500
1.074,600
3,419,700
4,760,900
1,057,400
700,500
1,973,700
1,351.700
637,500
1,065.700
867,800
2,317,900
1,498.700
1.795,500
1,228,000
3,616,600
1,514,800
3,335,100
2,325,300
133,600
3,577,000
3,685.300
2,087,000
2,648.800
1,547,400
5,525,300
2,404,000
1.178,500
1.246.500
1,761.700
948.400
1,767.300
836,200
110.160,000
539,000
154,000
780,000
645,000
2,515,000
1,499,000
1,107,000
968,000
352,000
809,000
1,081,000
881,000
704,000
1,899,000
953,000
1,073,000
1,701,000
129,500
1,012,000
208,500
614,000
1,227,000
730,000
1,955,000
2,501,000
494,000
660,000
1,175.000
1,675,000
1,783.000
741,000
1.538.000
698,000
1,079,000
698,000
476,000
872,000
399,000
4,756,000
2,161,000
1.217,000
1,358,000
1,727,000
1,866,000
1,125,000
1,627,800
2,487,000
1,363,000
1,104,000
1,090,000
479.000
1,309,000
1,299,000
300,000
65.173.000
3,017.400
600,900
Lake
2,686,600
Sanders
1,251,100
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
5,582,400
Chouteau
4,863,300
Glacier
1,746,900
Hill
4,728,500
Liberty
1,400,600
Pondera
3,295,500
Teton
3,867,700
Toole
1,719,800
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels
4,014,600
Phillips
4,134,200
4.202,700
Sheridan
5,452,500
Valley
5,892,200
WEST CENTRAL
489,600
Granite
1,535,200
Mineral
360,800
Missoula
1,999,400
Powell
2,273,500
CENTRAL
Broadwater
1,804,600
Cascade
5,374,700
Fergus
7,261,900
Golden Valley
1,551,400
Jefferson
1,360,500
Judith Basin
3.148.700
Lewis & Clark
Meagher
3,026,700
2,420,500
Musselshell
1,806,700
Wheatland
2,405,800
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson
3,015,900
Garfield
2,577,700
McCone
2,493,500
Prairie
1,704,000
Richland
4,488,600
Wibaux
1,913,800
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead
8,091,100
Madison
4,486,300
Silver Bow
1,350,600
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
4.935.000
Gallatin
5.412.300
Park
3.953.000
Stillwater
5,773,800
Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
3,174,400
8,012,300
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
3,767,000
Carter
2,282,500
Custer
2.336.500
2,240,700
Powder River
Rosebud
2,257,400
3,0fi«
1,136,200
STATE TOTALS
175.333,000
ESTIMATED FARM CROP VALUES
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
-^
Total Tonnage Produced 1925 and 1924
Revision of 1924 production estimates to data furnished by the special census
of agriculture taken by the United States Department of Commerce, reduced the
preliminary estimate of gross tonnage about 293,000 to 4,995,301 tons. Revision
of the 1923 tonnage in light of what the census data shows would likely bring
that year slightly below 1924 with about the aame relationship to 1924 as shown
by the estimates last year. This would still place the 1924 season as producing
the largest crop tonnage in the state's history closely following 1923, a year almost
equally favorable from a crop production standpoint.
In 1925, however, despite an excellent early prospect the growing season took
an unfavorable turn in early July when dry weather and hot winds damaged
crops severely over much of the eastern half of the state. Grain and hay tonnage
which are two important items in the total tonnage, were materially reduced on
this account.
While 1925 total tonnage falls about 12:5 per cent below that of 1924, due to
the weight of the wheat and the hay crops, several crops show gains compared
with 1924. Barley, rye, potatoes, beans, sugar beeta, peas and alfalfa seed
production all record larger tonnage than in 1924. However, increased acreage
is largely accountable for the increase in most cases; potatoes, peas and alfalfa
seed also gave better yields per acre than in 1924.
The following table shows the production estimates for 1925 and 1924
expressed in tons to afford a better comparison of the total crop output of the
state in both years:
TONNAGE PRODUCED 1925 AND 1924
CROP:
1925 Tonnage
1924
Tonnage #
Com
211,680
1,553,970
264,040
62,400
31,360
59,920
2,693,000
89,760
12,240
6,960
9.971
184,352
1,038,030
229,630
78 624
All Wheat
Oats . ..
Barley
Rye
39 200
Flax ....
34 160
All Hay
2,619 000
Potatoes ...
113 400
Beans
15,000
Apples
1,920
Other Crops •.
16.125
Total
4,995,301
4.369.441
#1924 estimates revised; 1925 preliminary subject to revision December, 1926.
ACREAGE CHANGES 1925
Acreage devoted to 11 principal crops in Montana in 1925 was 6,754,000
compared with 6,530,000 revised estimate for 1924; an acreage of 6,545,000 in
1923 and 6,626,000 the average of the past four years. Wheat, oats, barley, rye,
flax, potatoes, beans and hay acreages were all increased in 1925. In this group
the grains were increased largely as a result of the very favorable yields In
1924 throughout the principal grain areas of the state, combined with the good
prices that prevailed for all grain crops during the marketing season of the 1924
crop. Potatoes recorded a very small increase in acreage, but had previously been
on a downward trend since 1920, the 1925 acreage of 35,000 acres being still con-
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
siderably below that of the crop of 1922 with 45,000 acres. Bean acreage has had
an upward trend during recent years as new producing territory has been devel-
oped. The 1925 acreage placed at 40,000 marks the high point yet to be reached
and is about 6,000 acres above the 1924 acreage. Hay acreage shows a small net
increase in 1925 over 1924 due to a larger area of tame and cultivated grasses cut
for hay, which increase more than offset a decrease in wild hay and native hay
brought about by the dry weather. The sugar beet acreage, as a result of the new
factory area opened in the Chinook district, gave a moderate increase for the
state as a whole despite reductions in some of the older beet growing sections
due to unfavorable spring weather. Seed and canning peas also made a sub-
stantial acreage gain.
Corn acreage dropped from 420,000 acres in 1924 to 399,000 in 1925, due
partly to the unfavorable experience of growers with the 1924 crop, although
probably more to the effect of the cold weather that prevailed during seeding
time last spring. The trend of corn acreage has been strongly upward since
1920 and has tied up with the increase in hog raising and diversification of
Montana farming during this period.
A surprising fact brought out by the recent federal census of the State's
farms is that while the number of farm units, i. e., number of farms, decreased
the actual acreage per farm showed a decided increase.
AVERAGE ACRE YIELDS 1925-1924-1923
• Yields per acre of winter and spring wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, flax, tame
and wild hay fell below the favorable out-turns of 1924 and with the exception
of rye were below those of 1923. Compared with the five year average yields per
acre (1920-1924) yields of these crops in 1925 were but slightly lower as a rule
and in case of rye and wild hay slightly higher. Yields of potatoes, beans and
peas in 1925 averaged higher compared with both those of the two preceding
years and the five year averages.
YIELDS PER ACRE
CROP:
Spring- Wheat.
Winter Wheat.
Corn
Oats
Barley
Rye
Flaxseed
Potatoes
Tame Hay'#...
Wild Hay#
Beans
1925
1924
1923
Average
(1920-24)
10.5
16.2
14.0
13.3
14.5
17.1
17.0
15.1
16.5
18.0
26.0
20.1
22.5
29.5
33.0
28.1
21.0
25.0
25.5
22.8
12.5
14.0
11.0
11.6
4.5
8.7
8.2
6.3
108.0
88.0
110.0
108.8
1.65
1.71
1.88
1.76
.90
.90
.91
.89
12.5
12.0
11.5
12.2
(# Yield per acre for hay in tons, other crops in units of bushels.)
CAUSES OF THE REDUCED YIELDS
The growing season until the end of June continued very favorable for
Montana crops as a whole, March, April and May all recording slightly higher
than normal mean temperatures and the first two months a moderate excess of
precipitation compared with normal. May precipitation averaged 1.36 inches or
0.86 inches below normal, but June came in cool and wet during the first half
and finished with a total of 2.83 inches of rainfall which was 0.23 inches more
than normal and with an average mean temperature of 0.4 degrees above normal.
In May, however, some low night temperatures were damaging to sugar beets
in the yellowstone section, necessitating some replanting. Temperatures as low as
10 MONTANA FARM REVIEW
15 degrees were reported in the western division. 10 dejjrei'S in the central di-
Tision and 15 degrees in the eastern division. These o(*<ni;red on the 10th of the
month. Occasional temperatures below 40 decrees continued to be reported until
the end of the month, which in the corn and bean areas tende<l to hold back
plantings. May precipitation occurred mostl.v after the middle of the month, and
although some complaints of grain seedings needing rain were made durinir the
first part of the month, the moisture situation was generally rcirnrdcd as satis-
factory at the close.
June was characterized by showery weather over most of the first half of
the month. General showers also occurred on the 21st and 22nd and again from
the 28th to 30th. Temperatures continued low during the first part of the month
and throughout the central sections of the state were mostly below 40 degrees for
the minima day temperatures. June on the whole was too cool for corn planting
until well along in the month. Small grains, however, made an excellent stand
and growth and the general prospect at the close of the month was very promising.
July opened with light showers and comparatively warm weather, which on
the 9th and for a period extending to the 17th was characterized by day maxima
temperatures ranging mostly above the 100 mark. Precipitation was also very
light covering the period of the 7th to the 21st. From the 21st to the 25th cooler
weather with showers set in, this rainfall being satisfactory in the western half
of the state, but too light to bring relief to the eastern third. The dry hot weather
effects of July were quite noticeable in case of small grains and tended to force
maturity of the early sown and curtail stooling of the late grain: Irrigated (r(»i)s
suffered slight burning during the period of hot w^nds, but non-irrigated crops
especially in the eastern districts were quite badly damaged by the end of the
month. Corn, due to a late start, had not developed sufficiently to resist the
drought and heat and was generally stunted throughout the important east central
and southeastern districts. Some early flax in the important producing eastern
sections held up well, but the bulk of the crop suffered from weed growth and
forcing due to the hot dry w^eather.
Comparatively dry warm weather continued through the first half of August
but was broken in the central and western parts of the state by general showers
from the 13th to 16th and again on the 23rd and 24th and 26th to 28th. In the
eastern third of the state, amounts were too light and scattered to be of much
benefit. Drought in this section was not generally relieved until a general rain
on the 28th. August weather in the eastern half of the state further reduced
prospects and considerable grain by this time had been forced to maturity a full
two weeks ahead of usual.
In accounting for the reduced yields of 1925, the hot dry spell in July appears
to have been the principal factor, although in the eastern third of the state
continued dry weather during August further curtailed the prospect. Irrigated
grain crops came through in generally good shape as did also both irrigated
and non-irrigated grain crops in the western third of the state, where the
seasonai rainfall and temperatures were more favorable. The state average, how-
ever, reflects the importance of the eastern third of the state in amount of
acreage involved.
ACRE VALUES
Offsetting to some extent the lower yields per acre in 1925 farm prices re-
ceived for the various crops in the case of winter wheat, spring wheat, oats,
barley, and potatoes were higher than last year and for the other crops were only
slightly lower, except in the case of rye. Compared with 1923 and the 1920-1924
average farm prices were in practically all cases higher. Average prices received
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
11
at the farm (per unit bushels except hay) by farmers for the various crops in
1925 were as follows with 1924 Comparison in parentheses: Winter wheat, $1.33
($1.24) ; spring wheat, $1.40 ($1.24) ; corn, $0.95 ($0.99) ; oats, $0.53 ($0.47) ;
barley, $0.72 (0.69) ; rye, $0.74 ($0.91) ; flaxseed, $2.20 ($2.21) ; all hay, per ton,
$9.78 ($9.77) ; potatoes, $1.60 ($0.87) ; beans, $3.05 ($3.30).
To combine a comparison of both yields per acre and price per unit, the
acre values of principal crops have been determined in the table below for 1925,
1924, 1923 and the average of the period 1920-1924. In this comparison it will
be noted that spring wheat, winter wheat, barley and rye falling below the
returns of 1924 are still all above the acre values in 1923 and the five year
averages :
ACRE VALUES
(Average acre yield times farm price per bushel or ton)
CROP:
192S
- 1924
$20.09
21.20
17.82
13.86
17.25
12.74
19.22
76.56
17.64
8.10
39.60
1923
5-Year
Average
(1920-24)
Spring- Wheat
$14.70
19.28
15.67
11.92
15.12
9.25
9.90
172.80
17.27
8.10
38.12
$11.48
13.94
16.90
12.54
12.24
5.61
15.83
71.50
16.73
7.28
42.55
$13 48
Winter Wheat
15.18
Corn
14.13
Oats
11.52
Barley
13.19
Rye
8.10
Flaxseed
12.16
Potatoes
Tame Hay.
81.19
17.62
Wild Hay
7.60
Beans
TOTAL FARM VALUES OF CROPS IN 1925
Total farm value of 11 principal crops in Montana was $101,510,000 com-
pared with revised estimates of $117,792,000 for 1924 and $86,461,000 in 1923.
These valuation statistics are based on average farm prices as of December 1,
in the years compared.
In the valuation of 11 principal crops produced in Montana in 1925, the
state shows a reduction of about 16.2 million dollars from the very favorable
year of 1924 and an increase of 15.1 million dollars compared with the year
of 1923.
Wheat leads in crop values for 1925 with a total of $48,243,000 for both
winter and spring wheat. All hay comes next with a value of $25,614,000; then
in order come oats with $7,608,000 ; com with $6,255,000 ; potatoes with $6,048,000 ;
flaxseed with $2,684,000; barley with $2,359,000; beans with $1,525,000; rye with
$1,036,000, and apples with $140,000. The principal decline compared with 1924
came in value of the wheat crop which was worth about 16 million dollars, more
that year, but due to a better price per bushel in 1925 the crop was worth more
than the larger production both in 1923 and the larger average production during
the period 1920-24. The largest proportional increase came in the potato crop
which was worth $6,048,000 compared with $2,602,000 in the preceding year, due
principally to the high potato prices for the present crop. Among crops to show
Increased values compared with 1924 are barley, rye, beans and potatoes. Crops
with lower values compared with 1924 include wheat, hay, corn, oats, flax and
apples. All crops except winter wheat, oats and apples exceed in value the crops
of 1923. The small value of the 1925 apple crop compared with 1924 and preceding
years was due to the damage sustained in the principal apple districts in western
Montana from the drought of 1924 and the December freeze last year.
In the following table are shown acreage, yield per acre, production, December
1 price per unit, and total farm value of 11 principal Montana crops compared
12
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
with last year and preceding years including 1922. The acreage and production
figures for 1924 have been revised to conform With the United States census in
some cases and to other data bearing on crop production such as railroad receipts
of grain, mill and elevator receipts, etc. Where necessary 1925 preliminary esti-
mates have been revised to conform with changes made in the 1924 base on which
the 1925 estimates were made. The acreage and production statistics are the
finals for 1925, not subject to further revision before the annual revisions of
December, 1926:
Year — Crop Acres
CORN:
1925 399,999
1924 420,000
1923 365.000
1922 228, OOj)
WINTER WHEAT:
1925 195,000
1924 620.000
1923 624,000
1922 768,000
SPRING WHEAT:
1925 3,026,000
1924 2,543,000
1923 2,650,000
1922 2,850,000
ALL WHEAT:
1925 3,221,000
1924 3,163,000
1923 3,274,000
1922 3,618,000
OATS:
1925 638,000
1924 570,000
1923 673,000
1922 660,000
BARLEY:
1925
1924
1923
1922
RYE:
1925
1924
1923
1922
FLAXSEED:
1925
1924
1923
1922
ALL HAY:
1925 1,
1924 1
1923 i:
1922 1
POTATOES:
1925
1924
1923
1922
BEANS:
1925
1924
1923
1922
APPLES:
1925
1924
1923
1922
NOTE— #' Unit
Total Value Eleven Croos Above:
1925 $101,510,000
1924 117.792,000
1923 86.461.000
1922 87,384.000
156,000
104,000
105,000
92,000
112,000
80,000
156,000
240,000
271,000
246,000
110,000
84,000
882,000
879,000
803.000
705,000
35,000
34,000
36,000
45,000
40.000
34,000
23,000
3,800
Yield
Per Acre
16.5
18.0
26.0
24.3
14.5
17.1
17.0
15.2
10.5
16.2
14.0
14.4
10.7
16.4
14.6
14.5
22.5
59.5
33.0
32.0
21.0
25.0
25.5
25.0
12.5
14.0
11.0
14.0
4.5
8.7
8.2
7.2
1.39
1.43
1.53
1.51
108.0
88.0
110.0
126.0
12.5
12.0
11.5
13.0 .
of production bushels
Production
(Bu. #)
6,584,000
7,560,000
9,990,000
5,540,000
2,828,000
10,602.000
10,608,000
11,674,000
31,773,000
41,197,000
37,100,000
41,040,000
34,601,000
51,799,000
47,708,000
52,714,000
14,355.000
16.815,000
22,209,000
21,120,000
3,276,000
2,600,000
2,678.000
2,300,000
1,400,000
1,120.000
1,716.000
3,360,000
1,220,000
2,140,000
902,000
605,000
2,619,000
2,693,000
2.756,000
2,569.000
3,780,000
2,992,000
3,960,000
5,670,000
500.000
408.000
264,000
49,000
80.000
290.000
990.000
610,000
except Hay
Dec. 1
Farm Price
$.95
.99
.65
.53
1.33
1.24
.82
1.40
1.24
.82
.89
1.39
L.24
.82
.89
.53
.47
.38
.37
.72
.69
.48
.50
.74
.91
.51
.54
2.20
2.21
1.93
1.97
9.78
9.77
8.71
8.76
1.60
.87
.65
.40
3.05
3.30
3.70
3.20
1.75
1.29
1.30
1.00
which is
in
Farm
Value
$6,255,000
7,484,000
6,168,000
2,936,000
3,761,000
13,146.000
8,699,000
10,390,000
44,482.000
51,197,000
30,422.000
36,526,000
48,243.000
64,230,000
39,121,000
46,916,000
7.608,000
7,903.000
8,439,000
7,814,000
2.358.000
1,794,000
1,285,000
1,150,000
1,036.000
1.019,000
875.000
1,814,000
2,684,000
4.729.000
1,741,000
1.192.000
25.613.000
26,310.000
23.994.000
22,527,000
6,048.000
2,603.000
2.574,000
2,268,000
1,525,000
1,346.000
977.000
157,000
140.000
374.000
1.287,000
610.000
tons.
Acre
Value
$15.67
17.82
16.50
12.87
19.28
21.20
13.94
13.52
14.70
20.09
11.48
12.81
14.66
20.33
11.97
12.90
11.92
13.86
12.54
11.84
15.12
17.25
12.24
12.50
9.25
12.74
5.61
7.66
9.90
19.22
15.83
14.18
13.59
13.97
13.32
13.23
172.80
76.56
71.50
50.40
38.12
39.60
42.55
41.60
Estimated Value All Crops:
1925 $110,160,000
1924 126,396,000
1923 101,159,370
1922 102,239,200
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
13
SPRING WHEAT
The seeding season was fairly favorable for a thrifty start of the crop,
although the first part of May was reported at the time as being somewhat dry.
The latter half of May as well as the first half of June were both very favorable
from a moisture standpoint and by the end of June the crop had in general the
best prospect in recent years. July set in warm and a rapid development followed
that would have resulted very favorably except for the high day temperatures
and hot winds that during the period of July 9th to 17th, rapidly depleted soil
reserves of moisture and generally weakened the plant. Dry weather, followed
the hot spell in the important producing sections in the eastern half of the state,
although some relief came generally throughout the western half about the middle
and again at the month. The heat and drought effects were not severe on irrigated
wheat but on the large bulk of non-irrigated crop, especially in eastern districts
premature ripening and heading with short straw on the late seedings was general.
A very spotted condition as to yields resulted with the state average being re-
duced to 10.5 bushels compared with 16.2 bushels in 1924 and the 1920-1924
average of 13.3 bushels. Grasshopper and damage other than climatic was on
the whole less than usual. Quality of the crop was also slightly below the average,
being placed at 88 against a ten-year average of 90 per cent.
PERCENTAGE OF SPRING WHEAT IN THE SEVERAL GRADES
State Years
Montana : 1925
1924
Wyomnig 1925
1924
North Dakota 1925
1924
South Dakota 1925
1924
Minnesota 1925
1924
U. S. Average 1925
1924
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
Below
No. 5
68.0
84.0
19.0
10.0
9.0
5.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
.0
1.0
.0
20.0
84.0
47.0
10.0
24.0
5.0
3.0
1.0
6.0
.0
.0
.0
49.0
65.0
20.0
19.0
17.0
10.0
9.0 •
4.0
40
1.0
1.0
1.0
20.0
67.0
24.0
22.0
23.0
8.0
15.0
2.0
12.0
1.0
6.0
.0
18.0
61.0
20.0
22.0
31.0
11.0
18.0
4.0
10.0
1.0
3.0
1.0
37.5
62.9
28.0
21.5
18.8
10.1
9.2
3.7
4.8
1.0
1.7
0.8
DURUM WHEAT PRODUCTION
Included in statistics of acreage, yield and production of all spring whea^
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 Esti-
mates in recent years has made separate estimates for durum as a percentage
of all spring wheat. For the spring wheat states in 1925 and 1924, these estimates
have been as follows:
1925
1924
STATE:
Acreage
000
Omitted
Yield
Per
Acre
Production
000 Omit-
ted (bu.)
! Acreage
000
Omitted
Yield
Per
Acre
Produc-
tion 000
Omitted
Bushels
Montana ..
121
3,362
1,049
142
4.674
10.0
14.5
1 13.8
1 15.2
14.2
1,210
48,749
14,476
2.158
66,593
1
126
2,992
997
126
4.171
18.0
16.2
15.3
21.5
16.2
2,268
47,336
North Dakota
South Dakota .. .
15 254
Minnesota
2,709
Four States
67,567
14
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA SPRING WHEAT BY COUNTIES 1924 AND 1925
1924 Revised 1925 December Estimate
^. . „ ^ Acre Yield Production Acre Yield Production
District & County: Acreage (Bu.) (Bu.) Acreage (Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTHWESTERN—
Flathead 21,000 17.3 363,000. 24,000 18.0 432.000
Lincoln 1,000 10.0 10,000 2,000 15.0 30,000
Lake 16,000 14.0 224,000 16,000 20.0 320,000
Sanders 1,000 17.0 17,000 2,000 14.0 28,000
NORTH CENTRALr—
Blaine 63,000 17.0 1,071,000 71,000 10.0 710,000
Chouteau 113,000 14.0 1,582,000 156,000 8.0 1,248,000
Glacier 20,000 12.5 250,000 * 21,000 10.0 210,000
Hill 172,000 13.0 2,236,000 197,000 10.0 1.970,000
Liberty 48,000 14.0 672,000 56,000 10.0 560,000
Pondera 93.000 13.0 1,209,000 96,000 12.0 1,152,000
Teton 114,000 14.0 1,596,000 124,000 11.0 1,364,000
Toole 42,000 12.0 504,000 47,000 8.0 378,000
NORTHEASTERN—
Daniels 143,000 19.0 2,717,000 149,000 11.0 1,639,000
Phillips 63,000 13.0 819,000 66,000 10.0 660,000
Roosevelt 124,000 22.0 2,728,000 137,000 10.0 1,370,000
Sheridan 198,000 20.0 3,960,000 237,000 9.0 2,133,000
Valley 147,000 18.0 2,646,000 147,000 11.0 1,617,000
WEST CENTRAL —
Deer Lodge 1,000 16.0 16,000 1,000 16.0 16,000
Granite 1,000 16.0 16,000 1,000 15.0 15,000
Mineral 1,000 22.0 22,000 1,000 28.0 28,000
Missoula 8,000 20.0 160,000 9,000 18.0 162,000
Powell 2,000 16.0 32,000 2,000 14.0 28,000
Ravalli 6,000 21.0 126,000 7,000 20.0 140,000
CENTRAL—
Broadwater 7,000 20.0 140,000 8,000 15.0 120,000
Cascade 59,000 12.0 708,000 116,000 10.0 1,160,000
Fergus 130,000 16.0 2,080,000 175,000 10.0 1,750,000
Golden Valley..... 32,000 10.0 320,000 45,000 8.0 360,000
Jefferson 3,000 16.0 48,000 7,000 9.0 63,000
Judith Basin 87,000 12.0 1.044,000 101,000 9.0 909,000
Lewis and Claj-k 11,000 16.0 176.000 12,000 7.0 84,000
Meagher 4,000 11.0 44,000 4,000 9.0 36,000
Musselshell 31,000 10.0 310,000 41,000 8.0 328,000
Wheatland 36,000 10.0 360,000 37,000 9.0 333,000
EAST CENTRAL —
Daw.son 88,000 15.0 1.320.000 90,000 8.0 720,000
Garfield 26,000 15.0 390.000 29,000 10.0 290.000
McCone 63,000 18.0 1.134.000 66,000 8.0 528.000
Prairie 52,000 14.0 728,000 53,000 9.0 477,000
Richland 105,000 21.0 2,205,000 108,000 10.0 1.080,000
Wibaux 49,000 16.0 808,000 52,000 11.0 572,000
SOUTHWESTERN—
Beaverhead 2,000 19.0 38.000 2,000 16.0 32,000
Madison 8,000 27.0 216,000 8,000 22.0 176,000
. SOUTH CENTRAL—
Carbon 36,000 21.0 756,000 52,000 16.0 832.000
Gallatin 34,000 20.0 680,000 50,000 15.3 765,000
Park 18,000 18.0 378,000 20,000 16.8 336.000
Stillwater 52,000 15.0 780,000 84,000 14.0 1,176,000
Sweet Grass 23,000 18.0 414,000 26,000 13.0 338.000
Yellowstone 44,000 21.0 924.000 80,000 15.0 1.200.000
SOUTHEASTERN—
Big Horn.. 20,000 18.0 360,000 32,000 10.0 320.000
Carter 12,000 16.0 192,000 17,000 9.0 153.000
Custer 15,000 14.0 210,000 17,000 10.0 170,000
Fallon 61.000 14.0 854,000 70,000 10.0 700.000
Powder River 6,000 18.0 108,000 7,000 11.0 77,000
Rosebud 27,000 16.0 432.000 38,000 10.0 380,000
Treasure 4,000 16.0 64,000 10,000 10.0 100,000
STATE TOTAL 2.543,000 16.2 41,197,000 3.026,000 10.5 31,773,000
ESTIMATED PERCENTAGE OF MONTANA MAIN CROPS SOLD 1925
CROP: Per Cent Sold
Wheat 83.0
Oats 17.0
Barley 16.0
Rye 20.0
Flax 87.0
CROP: Per Cent Sold
Corn 10.0
Hay 17.0
Potatoes 40.0
Apples 30.0
All Crops Combined 53.2
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
15
WINTER WHEAT 1925
\\xx
^ t?^V
Of 650,000 acres of winter wheat seeded in the fall of 1924 for id^ l^arvest
only 195,000 acres survived. The 10-year average abandonment for the ciop in
Montana is 13.8 per cent ranging from 4.5 per cent in 1920 to 70 per cent last
winter (1924-1925). The bulk of the damage to the 1925 crop came as a result
of an unusual cold wave occurring about December 14, 1924, in which minima
of 50 to 55 degrees below zero were recorded at points in the state following a
period of weather with temperatures considerably above freezing point. Alternate
thawing and freezing later was a contributing factor as well as the unfavorable
weather in April which killed off some of the weaker plants.
Yields on the acreage remaining for harvest were fairly satisfactory, the
state averaging 14.5 bushels compared with 17.1 bushels for the crop of 1924 and
15.1 bushels the five year average.
Quality of winter wheat was 85 per cent compared with the 10-year average
of 88 per cent.
ESTIMATED WEIGHT PER MEASURED BUSHEL MONTANA GRAIN (Pounds)
10-yr.
average
1921
1922
1
1923
1924
1925
Winter Wheat
59.1
59.1
36.1
48.6
•
59.9
59.0
35.0
47.1
60.3
59.8
36.0
50.0
59.4
59.8
37.2
49.0
60.3
59.5
36.5
50.0
1
58 0
Spring Wheat
58 0
Oats
36 0
Barley
49 0
MONTANA FLOUR PRODUCTION
Nearly 20 per cent of Montana's wheat production in 1924 was ground within
the State during the 1924-25 season, when 56 operating mills ground 9,337,994
bushels of wheat, producing 2,109,019 barrels of flour with a market value of
$9,523,776.
The 1924-25 grind of 2,101,019 barrels compares with 1,400,539 barrels in
1923 ; 1,263,906 barrels in 1922 ; 1,271,861 barrels in 1919 ; 871,918 barrels in 1914 ;
and 375,440 barrels in 1909, indicating the steady growth in the State's milling
industry during the past twenty years.
By-products! of mill feeds in the 1924-25 grind amounted to 74,282 tons com-
pared with 47,958 tons in 1923-24.
The rated daily capacity of mills in 1924-25 was 12,864 barrels for the 56
operating mills, there being 10 mills not operating that year. Flour extraction
was placed at 4.44 bushels to the barrel.
Included in the production statistics above there were about 119,000 barrels in
the 1924-25 grind that were milled in exchange for w^heat hauled in by farmers.
During the preceding season about 107,000 barrels were ground in exchange.
Following is a table showing flour and mill-feed production in the State
since 1909:
1924-25 1923-24 1922-23 1919-20 1914-15 1909-10
•Number Mills 66 66 66 6'9 33 12
Bbls. Flour, 196 lbs 2,101,019 1,400,539 1,263,096 1,271,861 871,918 375,440
#Mill Feed, Tons 74,282 47,958 47,015 53,629 43,314 14,036
•Number of mills show total in state including those not operating.
#Mill feed production prior to 1923 includes some of cereal mills for 1922, 1919
and 1914.
Data for 1919, 1914 and 1909 from U. S. Bureau of Census; other data is that of
Montana Trade Commission.
16
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA WINTER WHEAT BY COUNTIES — 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924
Acreage
REVISED
Acre
Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead ^
Lake
8,000
21,000
5,000
1,000
86,000
3,000
1,000
4,000
5,000
3,000
2,000
2,000
1,000
4.000
2,000
1.000
10,000
51,000
70,000
21,000
4,000
41,000
3,000
1,000
17,000
3,000
4,000
2,000
6,000
4,000
11,000
7,000
4,000
9.000
25,000
5,000
41,000
6,000
55,000
26,000
2.000
4,000
16,000
1,000
13.000
9,000
620,000
20.0
13.0
12.0
20.0
15.0
12.0
13.0
10.0
12.0
19.0
12.0
17.0
11.0
11.0
8.0
15.0
15.0
18.0
22.0
12.0
13.0
21.0
20.0
16.0
17.0
12.0
17.0
21.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
13.0
13.0
20.0
21.0
14.0
15.0
17.0
18.0
18.0
15.0
16.0
15.0
17.0
16.0
18.0
17.1
160,000
273,000
60,000
20,000
1,290,000
36,000
13,000
40,000
60,000
57,000
24,000
34,000
11.000
44,000
16,000
15,000
150T000
918,000
1,540,000
252,000
52,000
861,000
60,000
16,000
289,000
36,000
68,000
42,000
90.000
64,000
IB7,000
91,000
52,000
180,000
525,000
70,000
615.000
102,000
990.000
468,000
30,000
64.000
240,000
17.000
208,000
172,000
10.602,000
4,000
12,000
1,000
1,000
23.000
2,000
22.0
20.0
21.0
8.0
13.0
20.0
ibTo"
10.0
15.0
8.0
15.0
2'5;0
10.0
28.0
22.0
11.0
13.0
10.0
10.0
11.0
20.0
10.0
11.0
's'o
ib!o
9.0
30.0
15.0
23.0
20.0
10.0
17.0
13.0
18.0
ib.b
ii'.o
12.0
14.5
88,000
240,000
21.000
8,000
299,000
40,000
Sanders
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
Chouteau
Hill
Pondera
Teton
2,000
1,000
1.000
1,000
1,000
20,000
10.000
15,000
8,000
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels
Roosevelt
Sheridan
Valley
WEST CENTRAL
Granite .—.
15,000
Missoula .. .
5,000
3,000
1,000
7,000
10,000
24,000
6,000
4,000
15.000
1,000
125.000
30.000
Powell
Ravalli
28,000
154.000
110.000
CENTRAL
Broadwater
Cascade
Fergus
312,000
Golden Valley
Jefferson
60,000
40.000
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clark....
Meagher
165,000
20.000
Musselshell
Wheatland
5.000
50,000
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson
1,000
11,000
Garfield
McCone
2,000
16,000
Prairie
Richland
4,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
8,000
1,000
8,000
2.000
14,000
11,000
1
40,000
Wibaux .. .
9,000
SOUTHWESTERN
Madison
60,000
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
30,000
Gallatin . .
184,000
Park
20,000
Stillwater
80,000
gweet Grass
34,000
Yellowstone
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
182,000
198,000
Custer
1
Fallon
4,000
40,000
Powder River
■Rosebud
3.000
2,000
195.000
42,000
Treasure
24,000
STATE TOTAL
2.828,000
OATS
Production of oats in 1925 fell moderately below that of 1924 and is well
below the average of the past five years. Acreage devoted to oats was larger
than in 1924 though below that of 1923 and 1922. The 1925 production, however,
was more largely influenced by the average yield per acre which fell about 7
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
17
bushels below that of 1924 and averaged more than 10 bushels below the yields of
the crops of 1923 and 1922. Damage to oats yields arose from heat and drought
effects of July and August weather discussed under spring wheat.
MONTANA OATS BY COUNTIES — 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924 REVISED
Acreage
Acre
Yield
(Bu.)
Production
(Bu.)
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acreage
Acre
Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead
Lincoln
Lake
Sanders
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
Chouteau
Glacier
Hill
Liberty
Pondera
Teton
Toole
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels
Phillips
Roosevelt
Sheridan
Valley
WEST CENTRAL
Deer Lodge
Granite
Missoula
Powell
Ravalli
CENTRAL
Broadwater
Cascade
Fergus
Golden Valley...
Jefferson
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clark.
Meagher
Musselshell
Wheatland
EAST CENTRAL i
Dawson |
Garfield |
McCone
Prairie
Richland
Wibaux
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead ....
Madison
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
Gallatin
Park
Stillwater
Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
Carter
Custer
Fallon
Powder River.
Rosebud
Treasure
STATE TOTAL.
10,000
3,000
6,000
1,000
15,000
10,000
4,000
17,000
3,000
7,000
11,000
5,000
29,000
18,000
25,000
39,000
32,000
1,000
1.000
5,000
5,000
10,000
6,000
10,000
27,000
7,000
1,000
7,000
4,000
2,000
8,000
6.000
25,000
13,000
18,000
5,000
28,000
14,000
5,000
6,000
19,000
13,000
5,000
10,000
6,000
13,000
8,000
9,000
8,000
13,000
5,000
9,000
3,000
170.000
30.0
30.0
26.0
29.0
31.0
24.0
30.0
24.0
24.0
29.0
23.0
21.0
32.0
21.0
34.0
-32.0
33.0
30.0
30.0
31.0
27.0
30.0
26.0
25.0
30.0
15.0
35.0
28.0
27.0
29.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
27.0
31.0
28.0
31.0
30.0
34.8
32.0
300,000
90,000
156,000
29,000
465,000
240,000
120,000
408,000
72,000
203,000
253,000
105,000
928,000
378,000
850,000
1,248,000
1,056,000
30,000
30,000
155,000
135,000
300,000
156,000
250,000
810,000
105,000
35,000
196,000
108,000
58,000
160,000
150,000
750,000
351.000
558,000
140,000
868,000
420,000
174,000
192,000
9,000
2,000
7,000
2,000
16,000
13,000
4,000
18,000
3,000
10,000
13,000
7,000
31,000
22,000
28,000
41,000
37.000
1,000
1,000
6,000
4,000
11,000
7,000
12,000
29,000
8,000
1,000
10,000
5,000
2,000
9,000
7,000
27,000
14,000
19,000
6,000
29,000
14,000
8,000
8,000
29.0
28.0
34.0
33.0
23.0
20.0
38.0
17.0
20.0
31.0
25.0
14.0
20.0
18.0
15.0
12.0
19.0
40.0
48.0
42.0
28.0
48.0
47.0
24.0
20.0
16.0
27.0
21.0
33.0
15.0
16.0
20.0
15.0
14.0
15.0
21.0
20.0
18.0
53.0
51.0
261,000
56,000
238,000
66,000
368,000
260.000
152,000
306,000
60,000
310,000
325,000
98,000
621,000
396,000
420,000
492,000
703,000
40,000
48,000
252,000
112,000
528,000
315,000
288,000
580,000
128,000
27,000
210,000
165,000
30,000
144,000
140,000
405.000
196,000
285,000
126,000
580,000
252,000
424,000
360,000
40.0
760,000
20,000
41.0
820,000
39.0
507,000
13,000
38.0
494,000
37.0
185,000
6,000
41.0
246,000
28.0
280,000
11,000
23.0
253,000
31.0
186,000
7.000
26.0
182,000
33.0
429,000
15,000
21.0
315,000
12.0
96.000
9,000
31.0
279,000
31.0
279,000
10,000
16.0
160,000
30.0
240,000
9,000
16.0
117,000
26.0
338,000
16,000
20.0
320,000
27.0
135,000
7,000
16.0
112,000
29.0
261,000
10,000
17.0
170.000
29.0
87,000
4,000
30.0
120,000
29.5
16.815.000
638.000
22.5
14.355.000
18
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA BARLEY BY COUNTIES — 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924 REVISED
Acreage
Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
1925 DEX^EMBER ESTIMATE
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead
Lincoln
Lake
Sanders
I
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
Chouteau
Glacier I
Hill I
Liberty |
Pondera |
Teton I
Toole I
NORTHEASTERN |
Daniels I
Phillips I
Roosevelt J
Sheridan 1
Valley I
WEST CENTRAL |
Granite I
Missoula I
Powell I
Ravalli I
CENTRAL
Broadwater
Cascade
Fergus
Golden Valley-
Jefferson
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clork.
Meagher
Musselshell
Wheatland
5,000
1,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
6,000
6,666
3,000
1,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
3,000
3.000
1,000
1,000
3,000
30.0
27.0
33.0
24.0
27.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
23.0
21.0
20.0
33.0
21.0
28.0
30.0
27.0
150,000
27,000
66,000
24.000
27,000
19,000
20,000
126,000
138,666
63,000
20.000
66,000
21,000
28,000
90,000
81,000
23.0
22.0
31.0
23J[)00
22,000
93,000
2,000
17.0
34,000
2,000
22.0
44,000
4,000
25.0
100,000
1,000
13.0
13.000
1,000
24.0
24.000
3,000
22.0
66,000
1,000
25.0
25.000
1,000
22.0
22,000
1,000
17.0
17,000
1,000
30.0
30,000
5,000
4,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
1,000
7,000
1,000
7,000
4,000
2,000
3,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
5.000
1,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
26.0
26.0
29.0
10.0
12.0
20.0
14.0
20.0
26.0
22.0
10.0
19.0
15.0
12.0
10.0
15.0
30.0
34.0
19.0
28.0
130,000
104,000
29,000
20,000
24,000
20,000
98,000
20,000
182,000
88.000
20,000
57,000
30,000
24,000
40,000
75,000
30,000
68,000
38,000
112,000
2,000
33.0
66,000
3,000
15.0
45,000
5,000
17.0
85,000
1,000
9.0
9,000
1,000
30.0
30,000
4,000
19.0
76,000
1,000
30.0
30.000
2,000
17.0
34.000
1,000
35.0
35,000
1,000
20.0
20.000
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson ,
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
3,000
2,000
1.000
1,000
2.000
6.000
4.000
3,000
1,000
3.000
3,000
1,000
1.000
5,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
24.0
22.0
22.0
26.0
27.0
30.0
18.0
26.0
30.0
27.0
27.0
25.0
34.0
30.0
22.0
25.0
22.0
23.0
21.0
18.0
22.0
48,000
22.000
22.000
26,000
81.000
60.000
18,000
26,000
60,000
162.000
108,000
75.000
34.000
90.000
66.000
25,000
22,000
115,000
21.000
18.000
22,000
i
4.000
1,000
3.000
1,000
6,000
5.000
2.000
1,000
3.000
9.000
5,000
5,000
1,000
5,000
5.000
3,000
3.000
7,000
2,000
2,000
1,000
10.0
19.0
10.0
14.0
18.0
16.0
48.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
33.0
18.0
23.0
27.0
20.0
16.0
10.0
19.0
16.0
16.0
25.0
40,000
Garfield
McCone
Prairie
Richland
Wibaux
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead
Madison
19,000
30.000
14,000
108,000
80,000
96,000
32,000
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
99,000
Gallatin
306,000
Park
165,000
Stillwater
Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
90,000
23,000
135,000
100,000
Carter
48,000
Custer ^
Fallon
30,000
133,000
Powder River
Rosebud . . ..
32,000
32 000
Treasure
25,000
STATE TOTAL
104.000
25.0
2,600,000 1
156.000
21.0
3.276,000
The State Division of Scale Testing, cooperating with the Grain Division
administers the state laws regarding tests of scales used in weighing grain at
elevators and public warehouses, also all wagon scales, track scales, coal scales
and beet scales.
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
19
BARLEY
Barley production iu 1925 exceeded that of 1924 by about 700,000 bushels,
due to a large increase in acreage, the yield per acre falling about 4 bushels
below the average of that of 1924. The alternative value of barley as a farm
feed crop with corn and the larger demand for such feed that haa come about
in recent years, accounts largely for the increase in barley acreage since 1920.
The 1925 acreage, however, for the state as a whole was not large, being 156,000.
Production was 3,276,000 bushels and farm value $2,358,000, the latter also showing
an increase compared with 1924.
RYE
Rye production in 1925 was slightly larger than in 1924 with an increase in
acreage more than offsetting a lower yield than in 1924. The general trend of
rye acreage has been downward since 1923, dropping from 240,000 acres in that
year to 80,000 acres in 1924. The relatively high market prices for rye in 1924
encouraged larger seedings that fall of winter rye for 1925 crop, which harvested
acreage was 112,000. The rye estimates do not include that sown and cut for hay,
a general practice in some of the drier sections of the state where grass growth
is short.
Great Falls Laboratory of State Department of Agriculture.
The State Grain Laboratory at Great Falls through its tests of wheat for
gluten content renders a valuable service to Montana farmers in helping them
take advantage of the premiums for high gluten wheat. The Grain division of
the State Department of Agriculture under which the Laboratory is operated,
also has charge of the bonding of all public warehouses, grain dealers, track-
buyers and brokers handling grain within the state, assuring through its regu-
latory powers a careful supervision of these agencies.
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA RYE BY COUNTIES — 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924
Acreage
REVISED
Acre
Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead
300
200
100
200
23,000
5,000
1,000
2,000
100
100
1,000
1,000
2,000
4,000
6,000
6,000
1,000
100
100
1,000
100
100
300
1,000
2,000
1,000
"i'oo
200
1,000
1,000
1.000
1,000
300
3.000
400
'300
100
1,000
100
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
300
4.000
200
3,000
100
9.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
15.0
10.0
11.0
10.0
7.0
15.0
11.0
10.0
18.0
9.0
21.0
18.0
12.0
6.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
15.0
11.0
11.0
15.0
15.0
16.0
12.0
7.0
14.0
11.0
14.0
16.0
17.0
13.0
10.0
16.0
17.0
13.0
8.0
12.0
10.0
12.0
17.0
11.0
15.0
14.0
14.0
2,700
1,400
800
1,400
345,000
50,000
11,000
20,000
700
1,500
11,000
10,000
36,000
36,000
126,000
108,000
12,000
600
700
9,000
800
1,500
3,300
11,000
30,000
15,000
700
300
800
200
27,000
6,000
1,000
4,000
200
200
1,000
2,000
3,000
6,000
7,000
7,000
2,000
200
200
2,000
200
200
400
3,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
3,000
300
1.500
1,000
2,000
1,000
400
4,000
400
200
300
200
1,000
200
1,000
1,000
1,000
2,000
500
4.000
200
3.000
200
20.0
14.0
15.0
9.0
15.0
10.0
15.0
9.0
15.0
15.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
11.0
9.0
11.0
16.0
10.0
10.0
15.0
15.0
20.0
17.5
15.0
13.0
10.0
13.0
18.0
20.0
10.0
10.0
11.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
15.0
15.0
25.0
15.0
15.0
20.0
12.0
11.0
10.0
14.0
11.0
10.0
15.0
10.0
15.0
14,000
4,200
12,000
Lincoln
Lake
Sanders
1,800
405,000
60 000
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine -
Chouteau . . ..
Glacier
15,000
Hill
36,000
Liberty .
3 000
3,000
9,000
Teton
Toole
20 000
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels
36,000
Phillips
66,000
63,000
Sheridan
77.000
Valley
32,000
WEST CENTRAL
Deer Lodge
2,000
Granite
2,000
Missoula
30,000
Powell
3,000
Ravalli
4,000
CENTRAL
Broadwater
Cascade
7.000
45,000
Fergus
52,000
Jefferson
30,000
Judith Basin . .
26.000
Lewis & Clark....
Meagher
4,800
2,400
7,000
14,000
11,000
14,000
4,800
51,000
5,200
54,000
6,000
Musselshell
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson
15,000
10,000
Garfield
22,000
McCone
10,000
Prairie
4,000
Richland . .
40.000
Wibaux
6,000
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead
3,000
Madison
3,000
1.600
17,000
1,300
8.000
12.000
10.000
12.000
5.100
44 000
3,000
42.000
1.400
7,500
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
3,000
Gallatin
15,000
Park
4,000
Stillwater
12.000
Yellowstone
SOUTHEA STERN
Big Horn
11.000
10,000
Carter
28,000
Custer
5,500
Fallon
40.000
Powder River
Rosebud
3.000
30,000
Treasure
3.000
STATE TOTAL
80,000
14.0
1.120.000 1
112.000
12.5
1.400,000
The Montana Trade Commission administers the state law regarding: the
equivalent of wheat that can be taken in exchange for flour ground. The extent
to which Montana farmers take advantage of the saving afforded by the exchange
ratio, is shown by the fact that last year (1924-25) 119,000 barrels of flour were
returned by state mills to farmers in exchange for wheat at an average saving
over retail prices of about $1 per barrell or a total of $119,000.
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
21
FLAX
Hot, dry weather in July and continued drought in August throughout the
principal flax producing areas of the state materially reduced the flax crop in
1925 compared with that of 1924, despite an increase in acreage over the latter
year. Acre yield for the state averaged 4.5 bushels compared with 8.7 bushels
for the 1924 crop and was lower than that of any year since 1920. Total produc-
tion from 271,000 acres was 1,220,000 bushels compared with 2,140,000 bushels
secured in 1924 from 246,000 acres. Production in 1925, however, exceeded that
of 1923 with 902,000 bushels and that of 1922 with 605.000 bushels due to the
larger acreage in 1925 compared with these years.
MONTANA FLAXSEED BY COU NTI ES— 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924
Acreage
REVISED
Acre
Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
6,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
25,000
4,000
16,000
41,000
17,000
1,000
26,000
16,000
25,000
10,000
15,000
11.000
2,000
1,000
7,000
4,000
4,000
9,000
1,000
1,000
246,000
8.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
11.0
8.0
10.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
10.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
10.0
10.0
6.0
8.7
48,000
10,000
6,000
6,000
250,000
32,000
128,000
451,000
128,000
10,000
208,000
112,000
200,000
70,000
150,000
88,000
14,000
7,000
56,000
32,000
28,000
90,000
10.000
6,000
2.140,000
6.000
3,000
1.000
1.000
26,000
5,000
17,000
46,000
18,000
1.000
27,000
16,000
27,000
11,000
17,000
16,000
2,000
1,000
8,000
5,000
5,000
10,000
1,000
1,000
271.000
6.5
5.4
7.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
4.0
5.5
2.0
4.5
4.7
4.0
4.0
4.0
6.5
5.7
5.5
5.0
5.3
3.7
6.1
9.0
8.0
4.5
39 000
Hill
16,200
7,000
4,000
130 000
Liberty
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels
Phillips
25,000
Roosevelt
68,000
Sheridan
184,000
99,000
Vallev . .
CENTRAL
Fergus
2,000
121,500
75,200
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson
Garfield . .. .
McCone
108,000
Prairie
44,000
68,000
Richland
Wibaux
104,000
SOUTH CENTRAL
Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
Carter
Custer
11.400
5,500
40,000
26,500
18,500
6,200
9,000
8,000
1,220,000
Fallon
Powder River
Rosebud
STATE TOTAL
CORN
The steady increase in corn acreage that has been taking place since 1920
received a slight setback last spring when unfavorable conditions at seeding time,
combined with the experience of growers in 1924, reduced the 1925 acreage com-
pared with that of the preceding year. The year 1925 experience was likewise
unfavorable from a yield standpoint, the average for the state being 16.5 bushels,
the lowest in the past five years. The bulk of the corn acreage is located in the
eastern third of the state where July heat and drought followed by dry conditions
in August were the principal causes of the reduced yields. Corn, on the other hand,
with its value as farm feed and its place in rotation systems in Montana has al-
ready assumed an important place among the state's crops. The bulk of the crop
is utilized as forage.
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA CORN BY COUNTIES — 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924 REVISED
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead
1,000
1,000
1,000
6,000
13,000
9,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
2,000
6,000
26,000
20,000
13,000
17,000
1,000
7,000
14,000
11,000
3.000
1,000
14,000
3,000
21,000
18,000
19,000
15,000
29,000
9,000
1,000
1,000
7,000
1,000
9,000
2,000
25,000
10,000
14.000
16,000
14.000
11.000
17,000
6,000
420.000
18.0
20.0
18.0
19.0
18.0
18.0
17.0
18.0
18.0
16.0
18.0
18.0
20.0
20.0
19.0
20.0
19.0
19.0
18.0
17.0
18.0
18.0
12.0
18.0
18.0
18.0
17.0
17.0
17.0
17.0
16.0
20.0
18.0
17.0
18.0
18.0
18.0
17.0
18.0
18.0
18.0
17.0
17.0
18.0
18,000
20,000
18,000
114,000
234,000
162,000
17,000
36,000
54,000
32,000
108,000
468,000
400,000
260,000
323,000
20.000
133,000
266,000
198,000
51,000
18,000
252,000
36,000
378,000
324,000
342,000
255,000
493,000
153,000
17.000
• 16,000
140.000
18.000
153.000
36.000
450,000
180,000
238.000
288.000
252,000
198,000
289.000
102,000
7.560,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
6,000
13,000
9,000
1,000
2,000
3,000
2,000
5,000
25,000
20,000
13,000
17,000
1,000
7,000
14,000
10,000
3,000
1,000
13,000
2,000
21,000
18.000
19.000
15,000
28,000
7,000
1,000
1.000
7,000
1,000
7,000
1,000
22,000
9,000
14,000
15,000
13,000
10,000
14.000
6,000
399,000
30.0
35.0
35.0
17.0
18.0
29.0
18.0
18.0
15.0
20.0
15.0
14.0
15.0
10.0
19.0
25.0
25.0
20.0
14.0
14.0
25.0
11.0
12.0
18.0
12.0
18.0
14.0
15.0
15.0
12.0
15.0
30.0
16.0
18.0
15.0
19.0
29.0
17.0
14.0
10.0
15.0
11.0
15.0
16.5
30,000
35,000
35,000
102,000
234,000
261,000
18,000
36,000
Lake
Sanders
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
Chouteau
Hill
Liberty
Pondera
Teton
45,000
Toole
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels
40,000
75,000
Phillips
350,000
Roosevelt
300,000
Sheridan . ..
130,000
Valley
325,000
WEST CENTRAL
Ravalli
25,000
CENTRAL
Cascade
175,000
280,000
Gtolden Valley
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clark. ...
Musselshell
Wheatland
140.000
42,000
25,000
143,000
24,000
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson
378,000
Garfield
216,000
McCone
342,000
Prairie
210.000
Richland
420,000
Wibaux . . -
105,000
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead
Madison
12,000
15,000
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
210.000
Gallatin
16,000
Stillwater
126,000
Sweet Grass
15,000
Yellowstone
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
418,000
261,000
Carter . .
238,000
Custer
210,000
Fallon
130.000
Powder River
Rosebud
150,000
154,000
Treasure
90,000
STATE TOTAL
6,584.000
MONTANA'S
CROP
Corn
Spring Wheat
RANK Wn
Rani
1925
31
2
rH OTHER STATES 1
c
1924 C
31 Potat
2 Flax
14 Apple
4 Tame
16 Wild
16 Beans
10 All C
N CROP PRODUCTION
ROP 1925
aes 24
4
Rank
1924
29
4
W^lnter W^heat
23
4
s
43
42
All Wheat
Hay
Hay
17
6
6
16
Oats
Barley
16
14
9
6
7
Rye
roDS
30
28
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS 23
POTATOES
A slight increase in acreage combined with a higher acre yield gave the state
in 1925 a crop of 3,780,000 bushels of potatoes compared with 2.992,000 bushels
in 1924. Due to the short crop, nationally. Montana growers this year have
averaged a farm price of $1.60 i^er bushel compared with 87 cents in 1924, in-
creasing the total value of the crop in 1925 to $0,048,000 against $2,603,000, the
value of the 1924 production. In the eastern third of the state, where the bulk
of the acreage is in small patches for farm food, yields were reduced by the same
drought effects that operated in case of other crops, but in the more important
producing sections of the central and western parts of the state, yields generally
were above average. Some losses resulted from the unfavorable wet weather
that prevailed through most of the digging season and likewise some poor quality
resulted. Prices, however, were such as to encourage extra effort and the bulk
of the crop was secured.
The effect of this season's higher prices on marketings is indicated from carlot
movement of Montana potatoes to date of February 20th, which was 886 cars
against 259 cars to the same date a year ago and 423 cars the total movement
from the 1924 crop.
APPLES
The 1925 apple crop was one of the smallest since the state entered upon
commercial production, due both to the summer drought of 1924, which caused
much neglect of orchards in the important Bitter Root sections, as well as the
December freeze which came in the winter of 1924-1925 and resulted in considerable
tree damage. Orchards in 1925 generally showed a very heavy wood growth,
presenting a difficult pruning problem. Many old orchards were pulled in 1925
and considerable work was done by orchardists in preparing for a better procpect
in 1926. State production of apples in 1925 was placed at 80.000 bushels compared
with 290,000 in 1924, which was also a short crop. Production in 1923 was
990,000 and in 1922 610,000 bushels.
The short crop of 1925 is reflected in the small marketings up to February
20th which were 27 cars against a total of 165 cars moving to the same date last
year and 173 cars, total movement from the 1924 crop.
MONTANA APPLE PRODUCTION
Crop Year Total Crop Cars Shipped
1925 80,000 bushels *
1924 290,000 bushels 173
1923 990,000 bushels 451
1922 610,000 bushels 351
1921 975,000 bushels 687
♦Movement from 1925 crop to date of February 20, 1926, has been 27 cars. Shipping
season from August to May 31st.
OTHER FRUITS AND AND MISCELLANEOUS
Pears, plums and prunes have been grown in varying small quantities in
the valleys west of the Continental Divide, although the December freeze of 1924
caused considerable damage to these less hardy fruit trees. Sweet cherries are
also grown to a small extent in the Flathead valley and canning cherries in the
Bitter Root valley. Strawberries in the Bitter Root valley in 1925 returned a
generally good crop. In southeastern Montana watermelons are grown in small
commercial quantities, principally in Rosebud County.
HAY
Total production of hay in 1925 was but slightly below that of 1924. Although
average yield was but 1.39 tons per acre compared with 1.43 tons in 1924 and
24 MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA WHITE POTATOES BY COUNTIES — 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924 REVISED
Acreage
Acre
Yield
(Bu.)
Production
(Bu.)
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acreage Yield Production
(Bu.) (Bu.)
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead
Lincoln
Lake
Sanders
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
Chouteau
Glacier
Hill
Liberty
Pondera
Teton
Toole
I
NORTHEASTERN I
Daniels
Phillips
Roosevelt |
Sheridan |
Valley
WEST CENTRAL
Deer Lodge
Granite
Mineral
• Missoula
Powell
Ravalli
CENTRAL
Broadwater
Cascade
Fergus |
Golden Valley
Jefferson
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clark....
Meagher
Musselshell
Wheatland
I
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson
Garfield
McCone
Prairie
Richland |
Wibaux
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead ....
Mad i. son
3,500
400
1,500
500
1.000
500
200
700
100
600
500
200
200
500
500
700
700
700
300
200
700
900
1,200
400
900
78.0
85.0
80.0
82.0
135.0
78.0
50.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
60.0
100.0
115.0
106.0
110.0
110.0
110.0
90.0
100.0
100.0
110.0
70.0
110.0
120.0
110.0
273.000
34.000
120,000
41,000
135,000
39,000
10.000
49,000
8.000
54,000
30,000
20,000
23,000
53,000
55.000
77,000
77,000
63,000
30,000
20,000
77,000
63,000
132,000
400
75.0
30,000
1,000
98.0
98,000
1,500
68.0
102,000
300
60.0
18.000
600
105.0
63.000
400
35.0
14,000
1,500
107.0
160.500
200
60.0
12,000
500
52.0
26.000
300
45.0
13,500
800
75.0
- 60,000
700
60.0
42,000
600
75.0
45,000
400
70.0
28,000
700
90.0
63.000
400
90.0
36,000
48.000
99,000
4,000
700
1,400
600
1,200
500
200
700
200
700
500
200
200
500
600
800
600
800
400
200
900
900
1,200
200
900
145.0
111.0
175.0
109.0
134.0
105.0
85.0
100.0
98.0
128.0
105.0
102.0
98.0
94.0
95.0
93.0
91.0
80.0
75.0
110.0
95.0
85.0
170.0
150.0
122.0
580,000
77,700
245,000
65,400
160.800
52,500
17.000
70,000
19,600
89,600
52.500
20,400
19,600
47,000
57,000
74,400
54,600
64,000
30,000
22,000
85,500
76.500
204,000
500
108.0
54,000
1,000
92.0
92,000
1.200
64.0
76.800
300
120.0
36.000
600
110.0
66,000
400
52.0
20,800
1,700
100.0
170,000
200
90.0
18,000
500
41.0
80.0
20.500
700
56,000
500
90.0
45,000
400
82.0
32,700
400
73.0
29,200
600
89.0
53.400
300
90.0
27.000
30,000
109,800
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
700
600
500
500
200
1,000
400
200
500
500
200
500
300
34.000
105.0
106.0
110.0
109.0
116.0
95.0
65.0
70.0
68.0
80.0
75.0
70.0
74.0
88.0
73.500
63,600
55,000
54.500
23,200
95,000
26,000
14,000
34.000
40,000
15,000
35.000
22,200
2.992.000
600
700
600
600
300
900
400
300
500
500
400
500
300
35.000
100.0
105.0
125.0
90.0
93.0
122.0
130.0
80.0
65.0
82.0
70.0
106.0
90.0
108.0
60,000
Gallatin
73,500
Park
75.000
Stillwater
54,000
Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
27.900
109.800
52,000
Carter
24,000
Custer
32.500
Fallon
41.000
Powder River
Rosebud
28.000
53,000
Treasure
27,000
STATE TOTAL
8,780.000
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS 25
1.53 tons in 1923, acreage cut was larger and total production was 2,619,000 tons
against 2,693,000 tons in 1924 and 2,756,000 tons in 1923. The large bulk of the
state's hay crop is tame hays made up largely of alfalfa and grain cut green for
hay, some clovers, timothy, millets and miscellaneous make up the remainder.
Wild hay acreage which is about a third of the total is largely blue-joint and
has a high nutritive value.
Yields of all tame hays averaged high for the first cuttings, but throughout
the eastern half of the state generally later cuttings showed effects of the dry
weather. Since 1919 when an unusually short crop and severe winter produced
a great shortage of hay, production has been increased and considerable old crop
is carried over from season to season as reserve. Wild hay yields were above
average in the important producing southwestern counties, but generally below
average elsewhere.
MINOR CROPS
Beans.
Acreage devoted to edible beans in Montana in 1925 was 40,000 compared with
34,000 acres in 1924 and production 500,000 bushels against 408,000 in the preced-
ing year. Acre yield after losses sustained at harvest by rains and snows aver-
aged 12.5 bushels in 1925 against 12.0 bushels for the 1924 crop and would have
averaged considerably higher with more favorable weather between harvest and
threshing. ^
Beans are grown on both irrigated and dry lands and have been a cash
crop of growing importance in recent years in the lower valleys of south central
and southeastern counties. The principal variety is the Great Northern, which
comprises little less than 90 per cent of the 1925 production.
Seed and Canning Peas.
Seed peas grown mostly under contract in the irrigated valleys in south cen-
tral, southwestern and western districts together with peas for canning grown
mostly in Ravalli and Gallatin Counties are another source of cash income to
farmers in these sections. Considerable expansion of the pea acreage has taken
place in the past three years, and in 1925 a total production of 460,000 bushels were
estimated against the 1924 production of 292,000 bushels. Acreage in 1925 was in-
creased and yields per acre, especially in the western districts, ran well above
those of 1924.
Sugar Beets.
Some further expansion of the .State's acreage in sugar beets came in 1925
with the completion of the new factory at Chinook. The crop in 1925 had an
estimated total farm value of $3,080,000 against $3,969,000 in 1924, with the de-
crease being due to the lower contract price compared with that of 1924. With
the development of the sugar beet industry, winter feeding of cattle and sheep
has been a growing industry in the factory areas with beet pulp as the basis
of the fattening ration.
Alfalfa Seed.
Southeastern Montana is an important producer of high grade alfalfa seed
and other sections of the State produce seed in varying surplus quantities. The
1925 crop was a very favorable one. Garfield, Big Horn, Rosebud, and Powder
River Counties are among the principal producers in southeastern Montana, some
production being also found in the northern counties along the Milk River and
in localities west of the Continental Divide.
Sweet clover seed, timothy seed, sunflowers for silage, cucumber seed, cucum-
bers for pickling, vegetable and truck crops also provide additional sources of cash
income on Montana farms.
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA TAME HAY BY COUNTIES— 1924 AND 1925
DISTRICT AND
COUNTY
1924
Acreage
REVISED
Acre
Yield Production
(Tons) (Tons)
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acre
Acreage Yield Production
(Tons) (Tons)
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead
25,000
11,000
22,000
14.000
23,000
20,000
2,000
12,000
5.000
16,000
16,000
5,000
6,000
14,000
12,000
14,000
19,000
11,000
23.000
3,000
19,000
38,000
36.000
17.000
52.000
68,000
9.000
13,000
31,000
30,000
28,000
13,000
17,000
15,000
24,000
19,000
5,000
26,000
9,000
42,000
51.000
5,000
43,000
48.000
42.000
30.000
36,000
38.000
29,000
14.000
15,000
9,000
28.000
24.000
10,000
1.206.000
1.4
1.6
1.5
1.5
2.2
1.8
1.8
1.6
2.0
1.9
1.4
1.0
1.6
1.6
1.8
1.4
1.8
1.6
1.5
1.7
1.4
1.5
2.1
2.0
1.6
1.5
1.5
1.6
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.6
1.8
1.8
1.3
1.8
2.1
1.7
2.4
2.0
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.0
1.5
1.3
1.5
2.3
1.4
1.5
1.5
1.73
35,000
17,600
33,000
21,000
50.600
36,000
3,600
19,200
10,000
30.400
22,400
5,000
9.600
22,400
21,600
19,600
34,200
17,600
34,500
5,100
26,600
57,000
75,600
34,000
83,200
102,000
13,500
20,800
49,600
51,000
44,800
19,500
23,800
21,000
33,600
30,400
9,000
46,800
1.1,700
75,600
107.100
8,500
103,^00
96,000
88,200
63.000
72,000
76.000
43,500
18,200
22,500
20,700
39.200
36.000
15,000
2.087,000
25,000
12,000
23,000
15,000
23.000
21,000
2,000
12,000
5,000
17,000
16.000
5,000
6,000
15,000
12,000
15,000
20,000
11,000
24.000
3.000
20,000
39,000
36.000
18,000
53,000
69,000
10,000
13,000
32,000
31,000
28,000
15,000
18,000
15,000
23,000
19,000
5,000
26,060
9.000
45,000
52.000
5.000
43,000
48,000
44,000
29.000
35,000
38,000
28,000
15.000
16,000
9,000
29.000
24.000
11,000
1,232,000
1.51
1.50
1.70
1.70
2.80
2.50
.50
1.60
2.22
1.90
1.85
2.00
1.50
1.00
2.00
1.40
1.80
1.00
1.55
1.80
2.51
1.80
2.20
1.60
1.70
1.20
1.60
2.00
.25
1.80
1.15
1.10
1.25
1.00
1.20
1.70
.92
.95
1.00
2.20
2.20
1.30
2.00
2.00
2.50
1.06
1.80
2.50
1.50
1.40
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.50
2.00
1.61
40,000
18,000
Lake
39.100
Sanders
25,500
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine . ..
64,400
Chouteau
52,500
Glacier
1,000
Hill
19,200
Liberty
11.100
Pondera
32,300
Teton
29,600
Toole
10,000
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels
9,000
Phillips
15,000
Roosevelt
24,000
Sheridan
21,000
Valley
36,000
WEST CENTRAL
Deer Lodge •-
14,300
Granite
37,200
Mineral
5,400
Missoula
50,200
Powell
50,700
Ravalli
79,200
CENTRAL
Broadwater
Cascade
28,800
90.100
Fergus
82.800
Golden Valley
Jefferson
16,000
26,000
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clark....
Meagher .. .
8.000
55,800
32,200
16,500
22,500
15 000
Musselshell
Wheatland
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson . ..
Garfield
27,600
McCone
13,300
4,600
Prairie
Richland
24,700
9,000
99,000
114,400
r) 000
Wibaux
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead
Madison
Silver Bow
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon
86,000
96,000
110,000
29 000
Gallatin
Park
Stillwater
Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
63,000
95,000
42,000
Carter
21 000
Custer
16,000
Fallon
9,000
Powder River
Rosebud
29,000
36,000
22,000
2,034.000
Treasure
STATE TOTAL
CROP PRODUCTION STATISTICS
MONTANA WILD HAY BY COUNTIES — 1924 AND 1925
27
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 CENTRAL
Deer Lodge
Granite
Mineral
Missoula
Powell
Ravalli
CENTRAL
Broadwater
Cascade
Fergus
Golden Valley-
Jefferson
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clark.
Megaher
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 TOTAL.
1924 REVISED
Acreage
Acre
Yield
(Tons)
Production
(Tons)
5,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
16,000
7,000
23,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
27,000
5,000
4,000
25,000
25,000
13,000
19,000
6,000
3,000
i'jooo
24,000
2,000
6,000
11,000
9,000
2,000
10,000
11,000
20,000
16,000
4,000
7,000
17,000
4,000
W,000
7,000
11,000
3,000
164,000
15,000
4.000
1,000
1,000
3,000
2.000
4,000
2.000
13,000
37,000
13,000
13,000
14.000
17,000
1,000
673.000
.85
.70
1.00
1.00
1.80
.70
1.00
.60
.90
.50
1.40
1.00
.80
1.00
.50
1.20
.80
1.20
.80
.80
1.00
1.30
.90
1.05
.90
.80
.90
1.00
.90
1.00
.90
.80
.90
1.80
1.80
1.50
1.40
1.30
1.30
1.00
1.00
1.00
.50
1.20
.70
.80
1.00
0.90
4,000
800
900
900
13,600
4,900
23,000
3,000
7,200
3,500
27,000
3,000
3,600
12.500
35,000
13,000
15,200
6,000
1,500
"2,'i'o6
19,200
2,400
4,800
8,800
9,000
2,600
9,000
11,500
18,000
12,800
3,600
7,000
15,300
4,000
9,000
5,600
9,900
5,400
131,200
16.500
5,200
1,800
1,500
4,200
2,600
5,200
2,000
13,000
37,000
6,500
15,600
9,800
13,600
1,400
606,000
1925 DECEMBER ESTIMATE
Acreage
5,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
15,000
7,000
21,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
25,000
4,000
4,000
24,000
23,000
13,000
18.000
6,000
3,000
1,000
2,000
23,000
2,000
6,000
10,000
9,000
2,000
10,000
11,000
20,000
15,000
3,000
6,000
16,000
4,000
9,000
6,000
9,000
2,000
170,000
17.000
4,000
1,000
1,000
3,000
3,000
5,000
2,000
11,000
34,000
11,000
10,000
12,000
16,000
1,000
650,000
Acre
Yield Production
(Tons) (Tons)
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
.80
.90
.90
.80
.50
.50
.50
.60
.90
.80
.70
.80
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.40
1.50
1.00
.80
1.40
1.50
.90
1.00
1.00
.60
.80
1.20
.75
.70
.70
.60
.40
.50
.60
.60
1.10
1.30
1.00
1.10
1.00
1.00
1.00
.90
.90
.70
.60
.50
.83
1.00
.80
1.00
0.90
5,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
12,000
6,300
18,900
2,400
2,000
2,500
12,500
2,400
3,600
19,200
16,100
10,400
18,000
6,000
3,000
1,400
3,000
23,000
1,600
8,400
15,000
8,100
2,000
10,000
6,600
16,000
18,000
2,400
4,200
11,200
2,400
3,600
3,000
5,400
1.200
187,000
22,100
4.000
1,100
1,000
3,000
3,000
4,500
1,800
7,700
20,400
5,500
8,300
12.000
12,800
1,000
585,000
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
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LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
^
Inventory Value Farm Animals.
Total value of all classes of Montana livestock on farms and ranges in the
State on January 1, 1926, was $94,206,000, or a little better than $4,000,000 larger
than the revised estimate for January 1, 1925.
Net changes during the year ending January 1, 1926, show, according to the
official estimates, a decline of 20,000 in horse numbers, no change in numbers of
mules and mule colts, a decrease of 60,000 in numbers of all cattle, and an in-
crease of 262,000 in numbers of all sheep and no change in numbers of swine.
In relative valuations, cattle lead the list with a total of $40,960,000 against
$40,200,000 a year ago and an average value per head of $32 against $30 last
year. Sheep follow with a total value this year of $32,342,000 against $26,822,000
and an average value per head of $11.40 against $10.40 last year. Horses and
colts this year had a total value of $16,128,000 against $19,072,000 a year ago
and an average value per head this year of $28 compared with $32 last year.
Mules and mule colts were valued this year at $576,000, against $514,000 last year
with an average value per head this year of $52 and $47 last year. All swine
this year were valued at $4,200,000 against $3,360,000 last year and an average
value per head this year of $15 compared to $12 last year.
Numbers of livestock this year (last year in parenthesis) for the various classes
were as follows: Horses and colts, 576,000 (596,000) : mules and mule colts, 11,000
(11,000) ; all cattle, 1,280,000 (1,340,000) ; all sheep, 2,837,000 (2,579,000) ; all
swine, 280,000 (280,000).
Included in above estimates of all cattle are estimated numbers and values
of milk cows and heifers (for milk) two years old and over on January 1, 1926,
as follows (1925 comparisons in parenthesis) : Number, 192,000 (187,000) ; value
per head, $54 ($50); total value, $10,368,000 ($9,350,000). Number of heifer
calves intended for milk, aged over one year and under two years, was 36,000
this year and 35,000 last year.
The above estimates are based on (1) the data secured by the Federal Census
of the fall of 1924; (2) voluntary reports of actual holdings by a large number of
stockmen and farmers throughout the State, (3) special sample surveys conducted
by the U. S. Department of Agriculture through the rural carriers with the co-
operation of the Post Office Department, (4) a careful analysis of railroad ship-
ments and stockyard receipts during the past five years. Revisions of yearly
estimates from 1920 to 1924 were made in connection with the estimates for 1925
and 1926.
NUMBERS MONTANA STOCK GRAZED ON NATIONAL FOREST RESERVES 1918-24
(Data from United States Department of Forestry)
YEAR
Number
Permits
Issued
Number
Cattle
Grazed
Number
ETorses
Grazed
Number
Permits
Issued
Number
Sheep
Grazed
Number
to Lamb
1924 . ...
2,275
2,514
2,650
2,871
289*
2,865
2,926
145,911
152,256
157,430
157,468
16,319*
170,674
175.200
10,638
11,278
11,787
15,599
2,376*
16,524
17,908
388
384
403
469
103*
521
480
618,447
627.773
626,364
670,751
137,105*
835,224
809,855
1,020
1923
2,800
1922
2,500
1921
8,305
1920
2,015*
1919
16,712
1918
13,680
* Data incomplete. Figures shown represent period from July 1 to December 31, 1920.
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
REVISED LIVESTOCK ESTIMATES — NUMBERS AND VALUES — 1920-1926
Data Relative to Numbers of Livestock on Farms, January 1
HORSES
January 1,
1925.
1924.
1923.
1922.
1921.
1920.
MULES
January 1,
1926.
1925.
1924.
1923.
1922.
1921.
1920.
MILK COWS
January 1,
1926.
1925.
1924.
1923.
1922.
1921.
1920.
MILK HEIFERS
January 1,
1926.
1925-
1924.
1923.
1922.
1921.
1920.
Number
576,000
596,000
611.000
643,000
650.000
669.000
669,000
11,000
11,000
11,000
10,000
10,000
9,000
9,000
192,000
167,000
174,000
162,000
155,000
148,000
148,000
36,000
35,000
35,000
30,000
30,000
33,000
30,000
ALL CATTLE
January 1, 1926 1,280,000
1925 1,340,000
1924 1,360,000
1923 1,360,000
1922 1,380,000
1921 1,269,000
1920 1,370,000
SWINE
January 1, 1926.
1925.
1924.
1923.
1922.
1921.
1920.
280,000
280,000
292,000
225,000
180,000
160,000
167,000
Value
$16,128,000
19,072,000
19,859,000
24,985,000
27,490,000
33,766,000
40.949,000
576,000
514,000
566,000
562,000
670,000
755.000
794.000
10,368,000
9,350,000
9,222,000
8.910,000
8,990,000
11,100,000
12,284,000
40,960,000
40,200,000
41,660,000
45,524,000
42,428,000
50,118,000
69,248,000
4,200,000
3,360,000
3,270,000
2,970,000
2,358,000
2,640,000
3,340,000
ESTIMATES OF FARM ANIMALS FOR UNITED STATES.
Horses.
Numbers continue to decline but there is some indication that decline in birth-
rate of colts has been checked, at least in some areas. Average value slightly
higher than a year ago, but continued to decline in the south and far west.
Mules.
Slight increase on whole with small decline in northern states,
head slightly lower than a year ago.
Values per
Cattle.
Number of milk cows and heifers two years old and over declined about 1
per cent. Heifers between one and two years old to be kept for milk cows de-
clined in numbers about 9 per cent. The number of cattle and calves declined
about 3.7 per cent, but total value higher.
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
81
Sheep. 111651
Increase in total number of about 3.4 per cent. Average price per head also
increased together with total value. •
Swine.
Total number decreased about 8.2 per cent, but total value, due to higher
unit values, increased.
ESTIMATES FOR THE UNITED STATES
NUMBERS
VALUES
Per Cent
of Last
Year
Total
Number
(000)
Per
Head
Total
(000)
HORSES & COLTS
January 1, 1925
95
100.4
.-.
96.3
99.0
91.2
103.4
91.8
16,554
15,778
5,758
5,780
62,150
59,829
22,523
22,290
4,234
3,861
39.390
40,748
55,769
51,223
64.18
65.08
82.24
81.30
33.46
38.40
50.68
57.37
9.63
10.50
12.38
15.21
1.062,511
1.026,000
473,513
January 1, 1926
MULES & COLTS
January 1, 1925
January 1, 1926
469,887
2,079,367
2.297.510
1,144,456
ALL CATTLE & CALVES a/
January 1, 1925
January 1, 1926
COWS & HEIFERS 2 YRS.
& OVER KEPT FOR MILK
January 1, 1925
January 1, 1926
1,278,877
HEIFERS 1-2 YRS. BEING
KEPT FOR MILK
January 1, 1925
January 1, 1926 .
SHEEP & LAMBS •
January 1, 1925
379,302
January 1, 1926
427,647
SWINE. INCLUDING PIGS
January 1, 1925 . . ....
690,328
January 1, 1926
779,348
a/ All cattle and calves includes milk cattle which shown separately.
TOTAL VALUE UNITED STATES: Total value of all farm animals on January 1.
1926, was $5,001,297,000; a year ago, $4,685,021,000, an increase of $316,276,000 or
6.8 per cent.
TRENDS OF MONTANA LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
Horses and Mules.
Horses continue to show a steady downward trend in numbers, due princi-
pally to the declining market for Montana horses that followed the war i)eriod.
Exports have declined steadily from 1920 to 1923 since which time exports of
range horses have become largely those to east central market canning factories.
Colt crops have generally decreased to a point where breeding is now mainly
for maintenance of farm work stock and there has been a tendency in breed-
ing to get away from the smaller type of Montana range animal to a heavier
^— — type more adaptable for farm work.
— 5 ^ — ^The January 1, 1926, number estimated at 576,000 compares with 596,000 head
^C^^^ear ago and the peak number of 1919 which was 720,000 head.
Montana has never produced mules in any great number, the average of the
past ten years being well below 10,000 head for the entire state. In recent years
there has been a slight increase in breeding and use of mules with the present
number being placed at about 11,000.
82 MONTANA FARM REVIEW
Beef Cattle.
Following the severe deflation of 1919, the tendency of beef production in
Montana has been largely that of maintaining itself, and while there was a con-
tinued decrease in straight range cattle to some extent this has been offset by
larger holdings of farm cattle. On January 1, 1919, prior to the heavy liquidation
of that year when nearly 642,000 head were shipped out, total numbers on farms
and ranges of cattle other than milk cows was placed at 1,447,000. A year from
that date the number was placed at 1,088,000 head, ranging between 1,138,000 and
1,195,000 in the next four years to 1925. During 1925 another heavy liquidation
has taken place. The nature of this liquidation has been largely that of taking
advantage of the relatively high prices of 1925 compared with any post-war year.
January 1, 1926, numbers placed at 1,052,000 are now lower than any inven-
tory since 1910, indicating that the beef end of the industry has gone a long
way in readjusting itself to the post-war trend of prices.
Since the Montana beef situation is influenced to a large degree by the compe-
tition of other states, it is of interest to Montana stockmen to know that in line
with the liquidation in Montana cattle other than milk cows, there has been a
corresponding decrease in total numbers in the United States as a whole.
The estimates of January 1, 1926, show 33,678,000 cattle other than milk cows
in the United States against 35,391,000 a year ago. As indicating the trend of
this competition since 1920, all cattle in the United States, including milk cows,
declined from 68,900,000 head on January 1, 1920, to 59,800,000 head on January 1,
1926, a decrease of about 9,000,000 head. The analysis of this decrease is signifi-
cant in that it shows a decrease of 2,900,000 in steers ; 3,400,000 in calves ; 1,100,000
in heifers, and 1,600,000 head in cows. The average annual decrease in this
period has been about 1,500,000 head. ,
Commenting on this situation, the Agricultural Outlook of the United States
Department of Agriculture, while admitting a favorable outlook both in its imme-
diate and long-time aspects, points out the fact that although beef cows have
decreased 2,500,000 head, the number of milk cows is about 1,000,000 larger than
in 1920, and many of these cows produce beef calves. The present number of
breeding animals is furthermore considered as being probably large enough to pro-
duce as much beef as it will pay cattle producers to raise.
Montana cattle men in common with those of the rest of the country have
seen cattle prices working through a slow cycle reaching comparatively low prices
in recent years. Cattle prices are now generally believed to be in the upward
swing of that cycle, with the peak still several years in the future.
During the last half of 1926 total market receipts of cattle are expected to
fall considerably below those of 1925. In this analysis, marketings of range cat-
tle are expected to be materially less, but the number of grain-finished cattle may
be larger. A marked decrease in steers, both grass fat and feeders, is indicated,
and calf slaughter in 1926 is expected to be less than in 1925.
While the prices for beef cattle during this period will depend somewhat on
the general business situation, the general level is expected to average higher than
last year.
Montana cattle men, by careful culling and better care of calf crops, have an
opportunity to maintain their quantity of beef of a higher quality without increas-
ing present numbers and with reasonable expectation that such beef should sell
at higher prices. By maintaining high grade breeding herds rather than rela-
tively large numbers of steers as in the past, cattle men will be in a position to
increase production promptly when prices justify attaining thereby a more flexible
production, lower production costs and quicker turnovers.
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS 33
Milk Cows.
Estimates of milk cows of all breeds kept mainly for milk purposes and
include a certain percentage of beef type cows when used chiefly for milk
production. Up until January, 1926, the estimates of milk cows have included, as
to age, all cows and heifers one year old and over intended for milk.
The present estimates have made a further segregation to show numbers of
cows and heifers two years old and over kept for milk purposes and heifers of
one to two years intended for milk. Preceding estimates to 1920 have been re-
vised to show a similar classification and in their new form are as follows:
January 1
Cows and
Heifers 2 yrs.
& over kept
for Milk
Heifers
1-2 yrs.
for Milk
Total
1926
192.000
187,000
174,000
162,000
155,000
148,000
148.000
36,000
35,000
35,000
30,000
30,000
33,000
30,000
228.000
1925
222,000
1924
209,000
1923
192,000
1922
185,000
1921 .
181,000
1920
181,000
The total as shown in column three of the above table is a comparable figure
to use in connection with estimates preceding 1920, representing as it does the
older classification.
Milk cows in Montana have shown a deciced upward srwing in the past 10
years, the total including heifers on January 1, 1926, of 228,000 head comparing
with 125,000 head in 1916.
Manufactured Dairy Products.
Parallel with the increase in numbers of milk cows in Montana there has
been a corresponding increase in manufactured dairy products. From 42 cream-
eries in 1918 the number has increased to 74 as reported by the State Dairy Com-
missioner for 1925. Cheese factories increased from three in 1918 to nine in 1925,
and ice cream manufacturing plants from 42 in 1918 to 88 in 1925. Production
of creamery butter increased from 4,580,920 pounds in 1918 to 14,795,010 pounds in
1925, while the output of cheese has grown from 484,864 pounds in 1918 to 1,404,558
pounds in 1925. Ice cream has increased from a total of 427,279 gallons in
1918 to 761,636 gallons in 1925. The table following shows the annual production
of these items by years from 1918 to 1925. The 1918 data is that reported by the
United States Bureau of Markets and that for succeeding years has been com-
piled by the office of the State Dairy Commissioner.
YEAR
Butter
No. of
Plants
Production
Pounds
Made
Cheese
No. of
Plants
Production
Pounds
Made
Ice Cream Produc-
tion
No. of Gallons
Plants Made
1918
42
50
53
57
60
64
69
74
4,580,000
5,584,311
6,086,347
7,464,679
7,815,847
10,721,595
14,178,938
14,795,010'
3
5
7
5
4
8
8
9
484,864
403,378
266,973
158,559
188,889
814,907
934,065
1,404,558
42
82
95
99
61
63
80
88
427,279
743,311
1919 . -
1920
660,387
1921
481 160
1922
355,041
1923
711,762
1924 . . .
564,675
1925
761,636
34
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
PRELIMINARY TABULATION OF MILK COWS BY COUNTIES, JANUARY 1, 1925
(Data from U. S. Special Census of Agriculture)
COUNTY
Total Dairy
Cows
Total Cows
Milked
Dairy Cows
Milked
Beef Cows
Milked
Beaverhead
1.041
2,355
3.428
1.062
3,585
873
4,273
3,745
1,598
1,830
871
476
620
1,521
3,303
4,726
554
149
313
1,064
3,515
2,265
1,122
4,303
1,963
899
910
358
1,516
1,227
273
2,233
739
2.010
3.489
2,853
421
1,475
601
6.839
2,285
777
950
2.345
2,795
1,663
1,739
1,496
2.785
1,875
71
969
1.491
849
5.856
104,344
2.760
2,419
3.581
1,527
4,304
2,832
6,332
4.271
2.305
2,631
4,566
450
3,169 .
8.415
3,872
5,113
2,296
257
2,211
1,259
4,377
2,236
3.377
4,372
2,828
1,075
999
2,541
2.984
1,280
338
2,636
2,545
3.424
4.020
3,028
1,898
2,028
2,171
6,830
3,930
3,490
2,643
3.039
5.257
1,571
4,103
3.192
3.728
2,395
999
4,583
1,865
1,975
6,819
169,146
1,036
2,045
3,431
907
2,883
756
3,853
3.690
1,578
1,615
747
393
596
1,403
3.135
3,893
542
149
259
970
3,428
1,825
974
3,909
1,683
873
880
333
1,322
846
225
1,877
685
1,845
3,307
2,671
419
1,222
506
6.321
1,799
679
964
2,346
2,200
1.529
1,592
1.407
2.500
1,962
60
738
1,444
726
5,508
94,486
1,724
374
150
620
1,421
2,076
2.479
581
727
1,016
3,819
57
2,573
7,012
737
1,220
1,754
108
1,952
289
949
411
2,403
463
1,145
202
119
2.208
1.662
434
Big Horn
Blaine
Broadwater . .
Carbon
Carter
Cascade
Chouteau . .
Custer
Daniels
Dawson
Deer Lodge
Pallon
Fergus
Flathead
Gallatin
Garfield
Glacier
Golden Valley
Granite
Hill
Jefferson ....
Judith Basin
Lake
Lewis & Clark
Liberty
Lincoln
McCone .
Madison
Meagher
Mineral
113
Missoula
759
Musselshell
1.860
1,579
713
Park
Phillips
Pondera
357
Powder River
1,479
806
Powell . .
Prairie ... .
1 665
Ravalli
505
2,131
2,811
1,679
693
Richland
Roosevelt
Rosebud
Sanders .. .
Sheridan
3,057
42
Silver Bow
Stillwater
2,511
1,785
1,228
433
Sweet Grass
Teton . . .
Toole
Treasure
Valley
Wheatland
Wibaux
Yellowstone
STATE TOTALS
939
3,845
421
1,249
1,311
74,660
The Dairy Division of the Montana State Department of Agriculture has
charge of the inspection of creameries, ice cream plants, cream stations and cheese
factories. The dairy commissioner also cooperates with farmers in bringing dairy
stock into the state and in promoting the dairy industry generally.
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS 35
Milk Production Study.
Regular reporters each month are asked the following questions relative to
milk production on their farm on a specific day: (A) Number of cows milked
on your farm yesterday. (B) Number of all milk cows, dry or in milk, in your
herd yesterday. (C) Total production of milk by your herd yesterday in either
pounds or gallons.
While this monthly survey has been in operation but little over a year, and
much of its value will lie in comparisons that will be built up aa the records in-
crease, the results of the 1925 reports will be of interest to reporters cooperating
in this study and are therefore summarized as tentative figures, for such months
as the data was found to be representative. It is expected that the representa-
tiveness of the data will increase, since reporters have shown considerable interest
in^this survey in numbers of returns made each month.
RESULTS OF 1925 MILK PRODUCTION INQUIRIES
MONTH
No. of
Farms
Milk Cows
in Herd
Number
Milked
Production
Total lbs.
Percentage
of Herd
Milked
Ave. lbs.
Milk per
Cow#
April . . -
263
298
250
257
300
250
269
252
303
271.3
1903
2439
1829
2221
2303
1943
2110
1962
2341
2116.8
1050
1471
1183
1541
1540
1168
1281
1049
1363
1296.2
19,022
31,619
25,449
31,236
30,254
20,582
21,561
18,809
21,945
24,497.4
55.2
60.3
64.7
69.3
66.9
60.1
60.7
53.4
58.2
61.2
18.11
May
21.49
June
21.51
July
20.27
August
September ..
October
November ..
December ..
Average
9 Months ....
19.64
17.62
16.83
17.93
16.10
18.90
#Average pounds for cows milked on last day of month preceding.
Hogs.
Hog numbers in Montana have shown a large expansion in the period 1920
to date, increasing from 167,000, the estimate for January 1, 1920, to 292,000 on
January 1, 1924, declining slightly to 280,000 a year later and holding at that
figure on January 1, 1926.
The peak of hog shipments was reached in 1925 when approximately 225,000
hogs went to market in the calendar months of that year against 167,000 in
1924, 80,000 in 1923, and 41,000 in 1920. The bulk of Montana's hog exports have
alweays gone to western markets and in 1925 these markets continued to take a
very high percentage of the total.
Montana Pig Crop Survey, 1935.
Results of the December, 1925, pig survey for Montana as transmitted by the
United States Crop Reporting Board at Washington, through the Montana Cooper-
ative Crop Reporting Service show that although the number of sows farrowed
last fall were 20.6 per cent less than those of the fall of 1924, pigs saved were
only 10.5 per cent less than in the fall of 1924. Practically the same situation
occurred in the case of the spring pig crop of 1925, which gave a decrease of
18.8 per cent in numbers of sows farrowed compared with spring farrowings of
1924 with a resulting pig crop but 8.7 per cent smaller. Larger litters for both
spring and fall pig crops compared with preceding years in which the survey has
been taken in Montana were a feature of this year's report. Sows bred for
spring pigs are 1.1 per cent more than the farrowings of the spring of 1925.
M MONTANA FARM REVIEW
RESULTS OF MONTANA PIG CROP
Surveys 1922-1925
SOWS BRED
Fall 1922 compared with Actual 1921
Spring 1923 compared with Actual 1922 117
Fall 1923 compared with Actual 1922 174
Spring 1924 compared with Actual 1923 128
Fall 1924 compared with Actual 1923 140
Spring 1925 compared with Actual 1924 96
Fall 1925 compared with Actual 1924 101
SOWS FARROWED •
Spring 1922 compared with Spring 1921
Fall 1922 compared with Fall 1921 173
Spring 1923 compared with Spring 1922 1^
Foil 1923 compared with Fall 1922 107
Spring 1924 compared with Spring 1923 127
Fall 1924 compared with Fall 1923 96
Spring 1925 compared with Spring 1924 83
Fall 1925 compared with Fall 1924 79
PIGS SAVED PER LITTER IN ABOVE
Spring 1922, average saved per litter
Fall 1922, average saved per litter 5.0
Spring 1923, average saved per litter 5,8
Fall 1923, average saved per litter 5.9
Spring 1924, average saved per litter 5.2
Fall 1924, average saved per litter , 5.4
Spring 1925, average saved per litter 6.3
Fall 1925, average saved per litter 6.1
Sheep.
The sheep population of Montana has now reached the highest point in the
past ten years, the number as estimated on January 1, 1926, being 2,837,000 ex-
ceeding that of preceding years bacli to 1916 when 3,020,000 were estimated.
The 1926 estimate compares with 2,579,000 head revised estimate for January
1, 1925. Further revisions of sheep estimates for the period 1920 to 1925 were
contemplated in connection with the annual revisions in January, but were delayed
pending the completion of the census count of 1924.
The trend of both sheep and wool production has been sharply upward from
the low point reached in 1921, following the heavy liquidation of the 1920 defla-
tion. Factors influencing this trend have been as follows:
(1) The quick recovery of sheep, lamb and wool prices in 1921 and relatively
high levels maintained thereafter in relation to other farm prices.
(2) The relatively liberal credit extended to sheep men during this period.
While present numbers of sheep are well above those of recent years they are
below the peak reached in the days of open range conditions, prior to the coming
of the dry-land farmer. This peak was reached in 1901 when sheep numbers
were estimated at 6,417,000 head. Wool production attained its peak three years
later when a total of 37,773,000 pounds was secured.
The present outlook for the sheep industry while not as favorable as a year
ago, in view of the trends of sheep and wool priecs, still offers a very good pros-
pect to Montana sheep rnen. The winter season to date has been very favorable
for ewes and with normal weather conditions at lambing time a good lamb crop
can be expected. There is not evident the signs of expansion that prevailed a
year ago and on the other hand some indications that Montana sheep men will
operate on a somewhat more conservative basis compared with 1925.
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
87
MONTANA WOOL
Production
Year (pounds)
1880 1,000,000
1886 5,031,000
1887 5,283,000
1888 unknown
1889 9,7 40.000
1890 13,929,000
1891 14,471,000
1892 15,670,000
1893 17,697,000
1894 17,642,000
1895 19,032,000
1896 21,530.000
1897 20,110.000
1898 20,935.000
1899 30,438,000
1900 26,020,000
1901 30.554,000
1902 35,567,000
1903 30,600,000
1904 37,773,000
PRODUCTION — 1880-1925
Production
Year (pounds)
1905 37.700,000
1906 35,815,000
1907 30,820.000
1908 32,200,000
1909 35,000,000
1910 33,600,000
1911 34,875,000
1912 31,175,000
1 913 31,500,000
1914 30,177,000
1915 26,950,000
1916 24,570,000
1917 23,342,000
1918 18.685,000
1919 18,267,000
1920 16.000,000
1921 16,400,000
1922 16,770,000
1923 17,775,000
1924 19,314,000
1925 20,874,000
Poultry.
Lacking the results of the Federal Census on poultry production in Montana
in 1924, which were not available as this issue of the Farm Review goes to press,
we have no definite data to supplement that shown in the tables following for
the period 1880 to 1919. However, the trend of poultry production in Montana
has been that of an increase over 1920 from all evidence available and it is ex-
pected that the census data, when available, will reflect this progress.
Montana's climatic conditions are quite favorable for poultry and, as a rule,
more favorable than other states with continental type of climate of the same
latitude.
Estimated Value of Products, 1925.
Value of poultry products sold in 1925 is conservatively estimated at
$3,500,000 in our estimates of values of livestock and livestock products. This
figure represents a moderate increase over the estimate for 1924 which was
$2,926,000. On this basis the total value of poultry produced in 1925 and in-
cluding that value of such production as was consumed on farms could be ex-
pected to be at least double the value of the sales and would compare with
$6,897,599, tlie value of chickens raised and eggs sold as reported by the Federal
census of 1919.
POULTRY ON FARMS AND EGGS PRODUCED
(Data from Federal Census)
YEAR
Chickens on
Farms
Other Fowls
on Farms
E^gs
Produced
(Dozens)
1880
58,244
233,660
531,660
966,690
2,055,120
2,160
9,992
24,900
44,150
208.794
1890
834,166
1900
3,002,890
1910
6.004.051
1920
72,734 11.858.042
1925 (Data not yet available; expected to show increase).
CHICKENS RAISED, EGGS PRODUCED, WITH VALUES — 1909,
(Data from Federal Census)
1919 AND 1925
CHICKENS
Xo. Raised Value
EGGS (Dozen)
Produced Value
TOTAL.
VALUE
1909
1919
1,432,741
3,247.090
$ 797,450
2.272,963
6,004,051
11,858,042
$1,610,766
4,624,636
$2,408,216
6,897,599
1925 (U. S. Census Data expected to show increase).
88 MONTANA FARM REVIEW
Egg Production Study, 1925.
A study of egg production similar to that on milk production was made in
1925 through the cooperation of the reporters of the United States Division of
Crop and Livestock Estimates. The following questions were asked: (A) Num-
ber of hens, including pullets of laying age, were in your flock yesterday. (B)
Number of eggs produced by your flock yesterday. Results of this survey are
given here for the information of the reporters cooperating. Much of the value of
such a survey will arise from comparison with similar data which it is expected
to secure in the future.
RESULTS OF 1925 EGG PRODUCTION
No. of
Farms
No. of Hens and
Pullets in Flock*
No. Eggs
Produced
Per Cent of
Whole Flock
Producing
January
495
282
333
271
276^
300
262
278
262
311
307.0
27,105
18,243
23,569
16,405
16,480
16,036
11,645
15,710
14,580
19,348
17,812.1
3.110
7,283
13,090
8,875
7,532
6,248
4,532
4,709
1,956
1,865
5,920.0
11.5
April
39 0
May . :
58.0
June
53.7
July
45.7
Augxist
38.9
September
38.9
October ... . .
29.9
November
13.4
December
9.6
Average 10 Months ....
33.2
•Number of hens and pullets in flock of laying age on last day of month preceding.
BEES AND HONEY
(Bees on farms, honey and wax produced, with value (from U. S. Census Bureau)
YEAR
BEES
No. of No. of
Farms Hives
HONEY
Pounds Value
Produced $
WAX
Pounds
Produced
Value
1
1909
795 6,313
1,199 11,918
135,510 21,802
630,608 157,656
394
7,682
133
2,614
1919
The table above indicates the growth of the honey bee industry in Montana
up until 1919. Since then while no enumeration of the industry has been made
the evidence points to a substantial increase in bee-keeping and honey production.
Conservative estimates place the value of bee products in Montana in 1925
at $250,000 compared with the estimate for 1924 of $176,000 and that of 1923 of
$170,000.
Conditions in Montana are particularly favorable for bee-keeping and the
State ranks near the top in production of surplus honey per hive according to
surveys of the United States Division of Crop and Livestock Estimates, whose 10-
year average (1913-1922) give Montana second place in the average yield of 88
pounds of honey per comb. In favorable years yields have gone much higher,
that of 1923 being given as 118 pounds per comb.
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS 39
MONTANA FARM PRICES
The United States Department cf Agriculture throu^'h the old Bureau of
Crop Estimates and later through the Bureau of Agricultural Economics has
been collecting for more than the past decade monthly farm prices of products
sold by farmers. This data published in Crops and Markets and other depart-
ment publications, for Montana and other states, has never been brought together
as a whole for Montana until now. The present tabulation of this data for rep-
resentative products sold by Montana farmers for the past 10 years or more is
taken directly from the old published averages in the monthly issues of the de-
partment publications and while it is believed that these averages represent quite
closely the average monthly prices received by Montana farmers during this period,
the data haa not been checked against any other records of local prices and the
averages presented here are given as tentative, until such time as more thorough
study can be made as to their representativeness.
It is believed that the publication of such data will afford Montana farmers
and students of Montana agricultural problems an opportunity to study in a
general way the trend of state prices in the past, and that the data, although in-
complete in some instances, will be of value for such comparative study.
Price Trends.
Following the tables of Montana farm prices will be found graphs showing
the market trend of prices for a few agricultural commodities of which Montana
farmers are important producers. The graphs on wool, wheat, cattle and lamb
prices make comparison of the price trends of the current season to January
preceding publication of this volume, in comparison with the preceding season
and in some cases that of two years ago. The graphs showing the index numbers
of farm prices and ratio of farm prices to wholesale non-agricultural prices, have
been reproduced from the February supplement of Crops and Markets published
monthly by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
MONTANA FARM PRICE OF WHEAT (Cents Per Bushel)*
Julv
15
1910-11 95
1911-12 90
1912-13 83
1913-14 66
1914-15 75
1915-16 99
1916-17 85
1917-18 204
1918-19 210
1919-20 220
1920-21 25?
1921-22 119
1922-23 118
1923-24 86
1924-25 ! r;; 110 116 104 127 123 138 157 165 146 134 138 148
1925-26 137 148 142 134 138 150
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
102
96
96
93
86
82
82
82
75
74
82
86
80
79
81
77
85
80
82
80
85
85
80
70
62
68
64
62
63
66
65
70
66
62
63
66
65
71
70
70
83
78
92
91
93
110
120
126
146
130
101
90
72
78
93
105
98
89
92
94
100
126
137
163
161
146
155
157
168
226
299
206
204
191
192
192
196
194
196
196
198
198
193
190
197
195
194
192
193
188
196
228
226
235
213
222
233
235
245
250
194
271
300
298
235
209
202
175
128
123
135
130
111
106
111
114
98
104
88
88
81
105
130
122
119
108
86
80
85
97
96
94
97
100
94
88
92
92
88
86
89
90
95
91
95
98
♦Tentative prices, subject to revision.
40
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
MONTANA FARM
July. Aug.
15 15
Sept.
15
1910-
1911-
1912-
1913-
1914-
1915-
1916-
1917-
1918-
1919
1920-
1921-
1922-
1923-
1924-
1925-
122
146
158
286
355
426
300
145
228
214
210
228
150
142
190
242
425
540
325
145
225
208
202
229
135
200
290
388
550
332
160
208
203
195
228
PRICE OF
Oct. Nov.
15 15
243
114
120
148
200
275
400
551
248
147
200
206
205
221
114
158
240
300
315
329
226
148
193
202
220
223
FLAX
Dec.
15
240
180
112
115
120
(Cents Per Bushel)*
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.
15 15 15 15
338
440
175
201
220
224
100
125
193
255
302
328
346
150
136
211
205
260
175
210
238
325
328
345
157
143
210
260
148
192
251
333
320
550
142
220
215
250
129
123
170
205
267
391
345
460
219
134
282
204
250
May June
15 16
113
139
170 176
197 191
309 313
375 372
251 380
590 581
102 100
231 230
274 235
210 210
240 223
•Tentative prices, subject to revision.
MONTANA FARM PRICE OF POTATOES (Cents
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb.
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
1910-11 38 65 95 90 90 85 97 100
1911-12 121 165 110 83 70 74 81 77
1912-13 73 107 70 51 38 40 45 45
1913-14 65 65 58 57 67
1914-15 76* 90 80 67 64 60 55
1915-16 83 84 65 53 42 54 56
1916-17 76 85 90 78 91 120 107 122
1917-18 202 176 187 144 104 102 110 133
1918-19 66 117 140 103 82 80 70 83
1919-20 95 185 205 193 146 160 204 325
1920-21 477 500 345 134 122 105 111 83
1921-22 85 125 120 98 75 80 100
1922-23 124 118 96 65 52 54 52
1923-24 92 108 84 76 74 79 80 82
1924-25 110 100 99 94 90 85 110 102
1925-26 220 235 128 120 178 171
•Tentative prices, subject to revision.
Per Bu
shel)*
Mar.
15
"-n-
May
June
15
95
95
101
116
82
94
108
111
45
52
44
69
60
75
65
68
66
65
75
74
78
70
70
163
189
208
223
104
83
73
73
110
75
70
83
287
325
449
576
72
108
69
55
94
123
84
106
48
47
50
58
75
80
86
100
113
116
128
131
1910-
1911-
1912-
1913-
1914-
1915-
1916
1917-
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICE — BEEF (
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
15 15 15 15 15 15
11 5.20 5.00 5.00 6.00 4.80 4.70
12 5.00 4.50 4.60 4.50 5.00 4.60
•13 5.50 6.60 6.20 6.40 5.50 6.10
14
■15 6.90 6.50 6.70 6.90 6.70 6.70
■16 ,. 6.60 6.60 6.70 6.30 6.30 6.20
■17 7.10 6.60 7.30 7.00 7.80 7.10
•18 9.30 9.00 8.50 8.50 8.90 8.20
■19 10.00 9.80 9.00 10.00 9.50 9.50
-20 9.50 8.70 8.40 9.10 9.10 8.90
-21 10.00 9.50 8.00 7.30 7.50 6.00
-22 6.50 5.40 4.80 4.80 4.40
-23 6.00 5.90 5.00 5.00 5.30
-24 6.00 6.50 5.90 5.70 5.00 5.30
-25 6.70 5.50 5.60 5.30 5.40 5.50
■26 6.90 6.20 6.00 6.30 6.00 5.60
•Tentative prices, subject to revision.
ATT
LE (Per 100 Pounds)*
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
15
15
15
15
16
15
4.70
5.50
5.60
5.50
5.40
6.80
4.80
5.00
5.30
5.70
6.10
6.80
6.80
6.70
6.90
6.30
6.70
6.80
6.10
6.20
6.50
6.70
6.80
6.60
6.30
6.50
6.60
7.40
7.00
7.60
7.80
8.00
8.60
9.60
10.30
9.60
8.40
9.80
9.60
10.70
10.70
11.60
9.00
10.10
10.50
11.90
12.20
11.70
9.30
10.10
9.60
10.60
10.90
10.80
6.00
5.70
5.70
6.10
6.10
6.00
5.20
5.30
5.90-
5.90
5.80
6.00
5.40
6.00
5.70
6.30
6.30
6.40
5.00
5.20
5.40
6.20
6.10
6.00
6.20
5.80
5.90
6.40
6.60
6.30
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
41
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICE— SHEEP (Per 100 Pounds)*
1910-11
1911-12
1912-13
1913-14
1914-15
1915-16
1916-17
1917-18
1918-19
1919-20
1920-21
1921-22
1922-23
1923-24
1924-25
1925-26
July
AUR.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
ian.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May June
15
15
15
15
15
5.80
15
5.60
15
15
15
15
5.00
15
15
4.60
4.60
3.80
3.60
3.80
4.00
4.00
4.50
4.80
5.50
5.30
4.60
4.60
5.40
4.00
4.10
3.70
3.70
5.10
5.50
6.00
5.00
5.30
5.10
5.00
5.10
6.00
5.50
4.70
5.20
5.40
5.50
5.80
5.70
5.79
6.00
6.60
5.70
5.90
5.40
5.60
6.10
6.00
6.30
6.90
7.10
6.90
7.00
6.60
6.40
6.60
7.00
6.60
7.50
7.70
8.10
11.00
10.50
11.90
10.70
L1.50
10.50
11.00
11.70
12.60
11.00
11.30
12.40
12.80
12.60
13.50
12.40
LI. 90
10.30
11.40
11.50
11.30
10.30
10.30
10.80
11.60
12.20
12.00
12.70
9.10
9.00
7.80
9.10
9.20
10.3D
9.60
11.00
11.00
12.50
12.20
10.80
8.30
8.70
7.50
7.60
5.80
5.00
5.20
4.50
6.40
5.00
5.00
4.70
4.90
4.50
4.30
4.10
4.00
4.50
5.50
5.00
7.10
7.70
6.60
6.70
6.50
6.00
6.20
7.40
7.40
7.40
7.50
7.50
7.90
6.00
6.70
7.30
7.40
7.90
6.30
7.20
7.50
7.30
7.50
8.00
8.00
7.80
7.00
7.10
6.90
7.20
7.20
9.00
10.50
9.60
8.80
9.00
8.40
7.50
7.30
7.70
8.20
8.70
8.90
8.50
.
'Tentative prices, subject to revision.
1914-15
1915-16
1916-17
1917-18
1918-19
1919-20
1920-21
1921-22
1922-24
1923-24
1924-25
1925-26
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICE— LAMBS (Per 100 Pounds)*
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
6.60
8.00
14.00
16.80
13.70
12.70
7.00
9.70
10.50
10.40
10.60
. 7.90
. 7.60
.18.40
.11.10
.11.30
. 7.00
. 9.60
.10.20
. 9.00
.10.90
6.70
7.60
12.20
14.30
11.30
10.70
• 6.00
9.70
9.40
10.00
11.50
6.10
8.00
12.40
12.60
13.00
10.00
6.00
10.20
9.90
9.80
11.50
5.70 5.30
6.50 6.30
7.80 9.00
15.00
13.20 12.40
10.50 10.90
10.00 8.70
5.40
10.70
10.50
10.50
12.10
9.50
10.30
12.90
6.50
7.20
8.30
13.50
7.00
6.00
10.90
10.20
11.00
12.20
6.50
7.00
8.70
13.70
12.10
12.20
7.50
7.40
9.60
10.00
12.50
7.00
8.20
9.10
13.70
13.80
13.80
6.90
7.50
10.80
10.00
12.50
7.50
8.10
12.50
14.10
13.70
9.00
7.20
10.60
10.50
13.10
7.30
9.40
11.80
15.00
14.20
14.90
7.00
9.20
10.20
10.10
11.70
7.30
7.80
12.90
15.00
13.90
14.40
8.00
9.70
11.00
10.50
10.70
♦Tentative prices, subject to revision.
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICE— WOOL (Per Pound— Unwashed)*
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
1910-11 19 18 .... 18 18 16 .... 15
1911-12 17 17 16 18 18 .... 19 20
1912-13 19 19 .... 19 19 18
1913-14 18 17 17
1914-15 18 19 .... 22 26 26 26 26
1915-16 25 24 25 26 24 28 27 26 29 30 31 30
1916-17 30 30 30 29 29 34 36 34 41 42 .... 50
1917-18 55 55 53 50 .... 62 58 64 68 60 .... 53
1918-19 57 58 55 58 48 64 54
1919-20 56 57 56 57 55 66 34
1920-21 23 25 36 32 30 22 21 14 30 25 17 16
1921-22 18 18 17 17 .... 19 21 25 .... 20 35 36
1922-23 36 35 36 37 .... 42 36 37 45 45
1923-24 41 35 38 36 .... 40 38 40 39 39 40 39
1924-25. 39 36 38 39 41 43 45 44 44 43 50 37
1925-26* 39 41 40 36 40 41 ....
•Tentative prices, subject to revision.
4a
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICES — HOGS {Per
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb.
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
-11 8.20 8.20 8.70 8.50 8.00 7.80 7.80 7.60
-12 7.60 6.70 7.60 7.10 7.50 6.60 6.20 6.50
-13 6.90 7.20 7.30 7.80 7.50 6.90 7.90
-14
-15 7.50 7.50 7.40 7.20 6.50 6.50 6.10 6.00
-16 7.00 6.80 6.50 6.20 6.20 5.60 5.90 6.20
-17 7.50 7.50 8.60 8.50 8.00 8.80 9.00 9.30
-18 13.70 14.00 15.60 15.90 14.90 15.00 15.20 14.80
-19 14.70 14.70 16.50 15.80 15.70 15.70 16.00 15.90
-20 18.50 18.70 16.50 14.90 13.40 12.60 13.30 14.50
-21 14.90 15.00 15.40 15.70 13.00 10.70 10.00 8.40
-22 8.00 8.50 8.20 7.80 7.10 7.20 7.70
-23 9.00 9.00 9.00 8.90 8.20 7.60 7.60
-24 7.50 7.10 7.40 7.60 6.50 6.60 6.30 6.30
-25 6.10 7.50 8.00 8.00 7.60 7.70 8.40 8.70
-26 10.50 11.60 11.20 11.10 10.40 10.40
♦Tentative prices, subject to revision.
100 lbs.)*
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
15
15
15
16
8.00
7.00
6.80
7.00
6.40
6.60
7.10
7.10
7.40
7.90
7.50
7.60
7.60
7.80
6.10
6.40
6.80
6.70
7.10
7.70
7.90
7.90
11.90
13.80
14.40
14.60
15.00
15.40
15.50
15.70
15.60
17.30
18.40
17.30
14.30
15.00
14.60
15.00
8.40
9.00
8.50
8.20
8.90
8.90
8.90
8.80
7.60
7.70
7.60
7.50
6.30
6.20
6.40
6.30
10.30
11.10
10.20
10.10
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICE— EGGS (Cents Per Dozen)*
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
1910-11 27 30 32 33 36 40 45 42 34 26 22 21
1911-12 25 25 29 33 33 39 47 42 28 23 21 22
1912-13 23 25 27 29 36 40 43 42 33 25 22
1913-14 38 37 33 21 18 19
1914-15 23 26 29 35 38 43 38 29 21 19 21
1915-16 21 23 25 30 31 25 45 41 36 22 19 21
1916-17 23 25 26 30 41 34 50 47 41 31 29 31
1917-18 34 34 39 41 45 .... 55 54 52 37 30 32
1918-19 32 38 40 41 49 .... 64 50 33 33 31 34
1919-20 37 39 41 43 58 .... 70 59 57 47 38 38
1920-21 41 38 45 50 50 .... 64 46 .23 23 19 18
1921-22 23 27 31 32 39 .... 50 39 37 23 19 20
1922-23 20 22 21 24 32 .... 44 29 25 17 18 17
1923-24 17 19 25 31 44 49 38 31 15 15 16 14
1924-25 16 20 26 32 45 51 52 37 22 22 20 25
1925-26 28 32 30 35 48 51
♦Tentative prices, subject to revision.
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICE— CHICKENS (Cents Per Pound)*
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
1910-11 16.0 16.5
1911-12 14.8 14.6
1912-13 14.3 14.5
1913-14
1914-15 13.3
1915-16 13.8 13.0
1916-17 14.1 14.9
1917-18 20.0 18.1
1918-19 19.1 22.0
1919-20 21.5 24.5
1920-21 21.6 21.9
1921-22 17.0 22.1
1922-23 19.3 19.6
1923-24 18.0 18.0
1924-25 15.7 14.8
1925-26 17.9 18.0
14.9
14.6
13.2
13.2
13.0
15.2
21.1
19.0
19.0
24.8
17.6
18.0
16.0
15.8
16.5
14.6
13.8
14.5
14.4
13.9
16.0
19.1
19.9
21.6
25.4
17.0
16.1
17.6
15.5
14.5
15.0
12.9
13.8
14.0
15.0
13.0
15.6
18.4
21.9
17.2
21.0
16.0
17.4
13.7
15.2
14.7
13.7
13.5
12.9
14.0
13.7
10.4
13.3
13.0
14.8
14.7
14.6
14.2
13.4
13.7
15.5
14.5
18.0
17.8
20.0
16.6
15.8
13.6
12.5
14.2
15.7
14.2
13.7
13.8
13.5
15.1
17.4
20.3
16.1
17.0
15.8
17.0
13.3
14.4
15.6
14.2
13.4
12.6
14.1
14.8
16.5
19.3
20.3
21.9
16.1
18.6
16.0
14.5
14.9
15.8
14.0
13.7
13.3
13.2
14.8
16.4
20.4
19.7
21.0
17.0
17.8
16.0
15.4
16.0
14.8
13.0
13.9
13.0
13.4
13.7
18.0
19.6
22.1
22.6
17.6
16.4
17.0
14.5
18.7
14.8
18.8
14.0
13.4
15.2
19.0
21.1
21.6
24.3
16.2
17.5
19.0
14.3
17.0
♦Tentative prices, subject to revision.
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS 48
MONTANA MONTHLY FARM PRICES — BUTTER (Cents Per Pound)*
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr, May June
15 15 15 16 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 16
1910-11 30 34 33 35 35 37 36 37 35 34 31 30
1911-12 28 27 30 31 32 34 36 37 35 33 31 31
1912-13 30 29 31 31 32 35 37 36 35 34 32
1913-14 30 35 35 32 33 30
1914-15 32 27 30 32 34 .... 35 34 34 32 30 29
1915-16 27 27 25 29 31 24 35 35 35 32 33 81
1916-17 28 31 29 32 39 31 40 38 38 37 43 4S
1917-18 36 36 41 42 45 .... 48 45 48 46 43 48
1918-19 37 42 42 43 50 .... 56 52 44 48 50 50
1919-20 48 47 49 52 57 .... 58 61 55 55 56 68
1920-21 45 48 51 55 48 .... 49 40 34 32 35 21
1921-22 22 28 34 34 40 .... 41 34 34 34 31 88
1922-23 28 30 28 35 35 .... 42 41 39 38 37 84
1923-24 31 34 38 40 42 43 42 41 39 38 32 82
1924-25 35 36 36 36 40 41 38 38 33 36 36 86
1925-26 38 42 42 44 49 50 _
♦Tentative prices, subject to reviaion.
1925 MARKET PRICE TRENDS
^WHEAT ^^0 2 HARD AT CHICAGO
m
Cattle
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
NATIVE BEEF 5TEERS AT CHICAGO
Lambs
FAT NATIVE ^ WESTERN AT CHICAGO
(SPRINGERS NOT INCLUPED )
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
PCR
INDEX NUMBERS OF FARM PRICES
CEhJT
275
250
225
200
1 75
»50
125
too
75
"1 I 1 1 1 1 1
L^- •
T'
\i ^
■Cotton
\
/
r ■
V
-•^
\
V
V
^~*^
./^
^,
Gra/n\^' '<,„^
i2k
\
—
^ f^A/f Groups
^^^tVi
^
<
^
»._•;
■i\-xr
s/
J-L
1 1
1 1
^^eafAn//n
11 M M It
a/s
1 1.
.Ll..
J-L
1 1
1,1
JLL
„.U_
J-.L
J.l,
1923 192^ 1925 1926
FARM PRICES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF AGRICULTURAL
pep AND NON -AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
CENT
22 5
200
175
ISO
125
100
75
50
^ , ^ . .-^ N—i-. -^:^
/7cy//o of Farm /o Who/esa/e^^J^^ ^ |
^A/on-A^rjcu/tura/ Prices | | \^
I9IA- 1915 »9!6 «9I7 1918 I3«9 1920 I92i 1922 1923 t92^ 1925 1926
The State Department of Agriculture offers a service of grading and tagging
of seeds offered for export, in cooperation with the Montana State College, whose
extension agents inspect and certify seed* fields.
MONTANA FARM REVIEW
WOOL-
OHIO THREE EIGHT-MSBLOOD AT BOSTON
75
X)
^^,tiui..u*""-%^
t5
55
"6 \*>> \
/PRICE
/ 1924-5
priceX \i
1925-6 \^
i— — ^'"'
/ „.vA-
MAR. APR. MAYJUNEIJULYIAU6.
SEPT 1 OCT 1 NOV
DEC. 1 J AN. 1 FEB.
INDEX NUMBERS OF FARM PRICES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF
NON-AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES
Index numbers of farm prices (August, 1909-
July. 1914=100)
Group
1925
1926
Janu-
ary
Feb-
ruary
March
Decem-
ber
Janu-
ary
Feb-
ruary
Grains
172
122*
123
154
182
94
146
165
88
1T«
131
126
142
183
96
146
167
s,
172
138
145
134
195
94
151
165
91
140
194
136
163
139
92
143
165
87
143
214
140
153
138
87
143
165
87
140
Fruits and vegetables
218
Meat animals
146
Dairy and poultry products...
144
Cotton and Cottonseed
142
Unclassified
87
All groups (A)./.
143
Index of non-agricultural prices* (B)
Ratio of (A) to (B)2
* Computed for the Bureau of Agricultural Economics by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics from wholesale prices of all commodities other than those originating on
United States farms. 1910-1914=100.
' This may be taken as an index of the purchasing power of farm products in ex-
change for non-agricultural commodities.
LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
NUMBER OF FARMS IN MONTANA BY COUNTIES
(Census of 1925-1920-1910)
DISTRICT & COUNTY
Census of
1925
Census of
1920
Census of
1910
NORTHWESTERN
Flathead - -
1,238
583
964*
669
1,135
1,649
345
1,421
446
792
1,089
597
1,020*
1,427
1,267
1,487
1,925
93
227
103
673
360
1,039
321
1,257
1,918
492*
446
783
543
310
650
386
1,105
1,312
1,072
560
1,429
466
790
715
180
1,095
1,026
619
946
632
1,960
1,250
770
716
659
838
792
299
46,896
1.923
341
"i'i'i
1.761
2.573
372
2.257
515
1,060
1.135
933
lT9i'4
1.215
2,408
2,169
202
354
95
1,323
476
1,231
466
1,703
4,226
"55'5
'"i'i'5
447
1.604
688
1,195
1,530
1.284
673
1.577
530
642
901
331
1,353
1,349
756
1,370
863
2,211
\n
855
941
758
833
1,136
330
57,677
1,189
Lincoln
Lake -
298
211
NORTH CENTRAL
Blaine
1,818
Glacier
Hill
Liberty
Pondera
Teton
1,187
Toole
NORTHEASTERN
Daniels .
Phillips
Roosevelt
Sheridan
Valley
1,946
WEST CENTRAL
Deer Lodge . .
171
Granite
295
Mineral .
Missoula
670
Powell
377
Ravalli
1,055
CENTRAL
Broadwater
390
Cascade
1,502
Fergxis
Golden VaJIey
2,310
Jefferson
301
Judith Basin
Lewis & Clark
529
Meagher
400
Musselshell
Wheatland
EAST CENTRAL
Dawson
1,947
Garfield
McCone
Prairier ^
Richalnd
Wibaux
SOUTHWESTERN
Beaverhead
536
Madison
730
Silver Bow..
230
SOUTH CENTRAL
Carbon .
1,264
Gallatin
1,260
Park
730
Stillwater
Sweet Grass . .
473
Yellowstone
1,812
SOUTHEASTERN
Big Horn
Carter
Custer
l7622
Fallon
Powder River . ...
Rosebud
961
Treasure
STATE TOTALS
26,214
• Counties formed after census of 1920 was taken.
48 MONTANA FARM REVIEW
INDEX
CROPS Page
Acreage changes 1925 8
Average acre yields _ 9
Average acre values 10
Alfalfa seed 25
Apples 23
Barley , 18, 19
Beans 25
Causes Reduced Crop Yields 1925 9
Corn 21, 22
Crop Summary 1925-24 12
Durum Wheat 13
Flax _ 21
Hay 25, 26, 27
Montana's Crop Rank with Other States 22
Oats :. 16. 17
Peas 25
Per Gent of Spring Wheat in various grades 13
Potatoes : 23, 24
Production, tonnage all crops 1925 8
Rye 19. 20
Spring Wheat 13, 14
Sugar Beets 25
Total Farm Value Crops in 1925 11
Weights per measured bushel Montana Grain 15
FARM SALES AND INCOME 3-7
Comparison sales 1924-1925 3, 4
Crop sales dollar 3
County statistics value of crops produced and livestock and its products sold
(table) 6
County statistics 1924-1925 (graph) 2
District statistics crop values (map) 7
Geographic distribution of 1925 income 5
FARMS
Numbers in 1925-1920 and 1910 census 46. 47
FLOUR — Montana's flour production 15
LIVESTOCK 28-38
All Cattle (table) 28
Beef Cattle 29. 30, 32
Cattle grazed on National Forests (table) 29
Bees and Honey 38
Hogs 29, 30, 31, 35, 36
Horses 29. 30. 31
Milk Cows and Dairying 29, 30. 31
Poultry and Eggs 37. 38
Sheep 36
Wool production 37
PRICES MONTHLY RECEIVED BY MONTANA FARMERS
Beef Cattle (table) 40
Butter " 43
Chickens " 42
Eggs " 42
Flax " 40
Hogs " 42
Lanabs " 41
Potatoes " „ 40
Sheep " 41
WTieat " - 39
Wool •• 41
PRICE GRAPHS
Cattle (graph) 44
Index Numbers Farm Prices (graph) 45
Lambs (graph) .v 44
Wheat (graph) 43
Wholesale non-agricultural and farm prices (graph) 45
Wool 46
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Publications
"8?
Rejrnlar crop reporters already receiving on request bulletins from
the Unite<l States Department of Agriculture may through arrange-
ment made with the Publicity Department of the Montana State De-
partment of Agriculture (cooperating with the T'nited States Depart-
ment of Agi-iculture in the Crop and Livestock Reporting Service in
Montana ) also receive any of the State Bulletins listed below :
1. Licensed and Bonded Real Estate Brokers of Montana.
(Pamphlet.)
2. Montana : Resources and Opportunities, 1926 Edition. Price
75c. (300 pages.)
3. Montana: Indusstrial Resource Edition. (170 pages.)
4. The Montana Farm Review, (Joint Bulletin with United States
Department.) (50 pages.)
5. The Montana Labor Review. (To be issued about July 1,
1926.) (50 pages.)
6. Recreational Resources. (To be issued about July 1, 1926.)
(Folder.)
7. Directory of State and County Officials in Montana. (Folder.)
8. Reasons for Buying from Bonded and Licensed Real Estate
Brokers. (Folder.)
9. Newspaper Directory of Montana. (Folder.)
10. The Montana News Letter. (Issued to Newspapers and Or-
ganizations only.)
11. Official State-Federal Crop Reports. (Monthly.)
12. Horticulture in Montana. (150 pages.)
13. Carrying on for 50 Years AVith the Courage of Custer. (Folder.)
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