Silos and Dairy Barn on a Modern Dairy Farm. 



Montana and the possibility of supplying markets in Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming 

 should make a good market for Montana dairy products for years to come. Mon- 

 tana products are of good quality, which is shown by the fact that in butter scoring 

 contests, Montana butter has been marked as high as two points above eastern scores. 



Nature Aids in Dairying. 



The climate of the state is favorable to the industry. The summers are ideal 

 for dairying with long days for grazing. The cool nights make the keeping and 

 handling of dairy products possible and affords fine conditions for the pasturage for 

 the cows. The winter months, while rather severe in parts of the state do not 

 prevent the industry from being a paying one in the northern and eastern counties 

 if adequate shelter is provided and winter feeding is properly carried on. The 

 winter weather does not affect the dairymen in the southern and western districts 

 to any great extent. The higher price of the products in the winter months com- 

 pensates for the increased cost of production, due to the winter weather. 



Montana has long been noted as a hay producing state. Vast quantities of 

 clover, alfalfa and other grasses are grown. The state dairy commission is encour- 

 aging the growing of the legumes, including cow peas, soy beans and vetches in 

 increased amount. With water for irrigation, pastures — one of the most essential 

 items for the successful dairyman — are kept in good condition through the summer 

 months and late in the fall. Alfalfa is now being raised in practically all sections 

 of the state and dairymen have found, considering its small cost, that this is a 

 most valuable roughage feed. The number of flour and grist mills is rapidly increas- 

 ing and the by-product of these, together with the by-products of the sugar factories, 

 such as are used for the dairy cow, are much easier to obtain than formerly. 



