state estimates J, now (1958) projected only to 1970, visualize for 

 Montana a rate of increase well below the National average because 

 of net out-migration. Extrapolating the 1970 estimate for Montana 

 in relation to the National increase, Montana's population in 1975 

 should be about 750,000, 



If the present trend to larger and fewer farms continues, or even 

 if it should stabilize, the increased population will be located 

 in urban and industrial areas. Therefore, population changes in 

 Montana will result in further encroachment by urban areas on agri- 

 cultureil land. This will be of particular significance in those 

 counties that already have large urban areas and those where there 

 are major opportunities for industrial and commercial development 

 by 1975. Increased urban development will require agricultural 

 land for recreational uses also, such as golf courses and parks. 

 While the total land areas of the counties is involved, most of 

 the larger urban areas are located adjacent to and will expand 

 onto the best agricultural land, 



2, Total acreage of crops in the United States, including cropland 

 pasture, will be about 6 percent greater in 1975 than in the per- 

 iod 1951-53, 



It is expected that cropland increases in Montana will exceed the 

 National average and will be about eight percent. Additional 

 cropland wiU come from selected areas of present rangeland suit- 

 able for dryland farming, further irrigation development, and 

 clearing such areas as brushland and woodland along streams, 



3. With the expected National cropland acreage and fuller adoption 

 by farmers of available technical knowledge in crop production, 

 it appears that market demands in 1975 can be met if certain ad- 

 justments are made. Significant shifts will be required in the 

 crops grown. There will also be need for shifts in major land 

 uses, including such changes as the clearing, draining, and ir- 

 rigating of land for cropland and pasture, reforestation of less 

 productive croplands, and loss of agricultural lands to nonagri- 

 cultural uses. 



In Montana the major shifts in land use will be to increase crop- 

 land, irrigate more land, and at the same time lose some of the 

 best agricultural land to urban and highway development. There 

 will be some local shifts between forest and agricultural uses, 

 with a net increase in cropland, 



4.. The projected increase of population and growth of the Nation's 

 economy will expand the demand for timber products. The 1975 de- 

 mand for wood products in total (industrial wood and fuel wood) 

 may be as much as 30 percent above 1952 consumption. To meet 

 these timber requirements, more intensive management of all 



