STATE OF MONTANA 11 



CROPS AND UVESTOCK IN MONTANA DURING 1959^ 



Crops: Total crop production during 1959 was 7 per cent less than in 1958 but 11 per cent 

 higher than average annual production for the ten years, 1948-57. 



At the beginning of the 1959 growing season moisture reserves were adequate except for 

 some southern and eastern areas. Winter kill of winter wheat was very heavy in northeastern 

 counties as well as in some central and southern localities. Cold, dry weather hindered germina- 

 tion and growth of crops during April and throughout most of May. Rains during May and early 

 June replenished moisture supplies. The latter part of June was hot an dry, as was July. However, 

 subsoil moisture carried crops through the dry period with little deterioration except for eastern 

 and southern counties. Winter wheat was sufficiently mature in all areas to escape heavy drought 

 damage. The dry weather was ideal for harvest operations. Winter wheat seeding was delayed 

 by dry soil but in September general rains relieved the situation. The crop made good growth 

 before winter set in. 



Wheat production in 1959 was down 19 per cent from the previous year and was the second 

 lowest output (1957 was less) since 1949. Both lower yield and reduced acreage harvested con- 

 tributed to the drop. Dry weather during the seeding period reduced the acreage planted and 

 heavier than usual winter kill caused more loss of acreage. Winter wheat accounted for 56 per cent 

 cf production compared to 63 per cent in 1958. Spring wheat, of which 5 per cent was durum, made 

 up 44 per cent of the wheat production. This compared to 37 per cent in 1958. Montana ranked as 

 the 4th largest wheat producing State in 1959; was the « largest producer of winter wheat and 

 ranked second only to North Dakota in spring wheat output. '^'^^~^ 



Production of oats in 1959 was off 17 per cent from a year earlier. Yield per acre was the 

 lowest since 1954. Average yield per acre of the barley crop declined sharply from 1958, but a 

 substantial increase in acreage for harvest elevated production slightly. 



Hay production totaled 3.0 million tons, up slightly from 1958 and the largest output since 1955. 

 Increased acreage in 1959 compared to the year before was only partially offset by lower tonnage 

 per acre. Alfalfa hay accounted for 60 per cent of the total production. Wild hay 18 per cent, clover 

 timothy 10 per cent and other hays 12 per cent. 



Acreage seeded to flaxseed declined to the lowest level since 1952 causing a corresponding 

 drop in production. Mustard seed output also was off with the lowest yield per acre since 1947. 

 Production was 21 per cent below 1958 and the second smallest since 1954. 



Alfalfa seed dipped to the lowest acreage and production figures since 1938, but output of 

 red clover seed doubled from 1958 and was the largest crop since 1S54. Sweetclover seed was 

 taken from a sharply reduced acreage and dropped to the lowest point since 1932. Crested wheat- 

 grass seed was harvested from twice the 1958 acreage giving the second highest production since 

 1950. Corn output increased slightly from 1958 even though acreage harvested was smaller. 



Irrigated crops generally yielded well. Potato and dry bean production were each off slightly 

 from 1958 due to decreased acreage harvested and slightly less yield per acre. Harvested acreage 

 of sugar beets was reduced m 1959 due to freeze up before harvest was complete. Abandonment 

 was the highest in recent years. Consequently, production was down from 1958 and the lowest since 

 1956. 



Cherry production dropped 31 per cent from 1958 and was the second smallest crop since 1951. 

 Apple production was down moderately from 1958. 



Livestock: Cattle and calves on Montana farms and ranches increased 7 per cent during 1959 

 to 2,428,000 head on January 1, 1960. Prices held steady during the first three months of 1959; 

 advanced in April and held through August declined in September and dropped steadily thereafter 

 through December. Marketing of cattle and calves during 1959 totaled 913,000 head, a 14 per cent 

 decline from 1958 marketings. Montana ranked as the 14th state in total cattle and calves on 

 farms January 1, 1960, and was 7th in the number of beef cows. 



The January 1, 1960, sheep and lamb inventory (including feeders), at 1,856,000 head showed 

 an increase of 1 per cent compared to 1959. Lamb prices remained relatively unchanged during the 

 first 8 months of 1959, but declined steadily the last 4 months of the year. Marketings in 1959 were 

 15 per cent heavier than during the previous year. Based on all sheep and lambs on farms 

 January 1, 1960, Montana ranked as the 5th largest sheep state. 



The hog population increased 12,000 head during 1959 making January 1, I960 the largest 

 inventory since 1952. The number of horses and mules increased slightly during 1959 but chickens 

 on farms declined 5 per cent. 



1 Preliminary 



