STATE OF MONTANA 1 1 



CROPS AND UVESTOCK IN MONTANA DURING 1957' 



Crops: Total crop production in 1957 increased 11 percent from 1956 and was 

 14 percent above the average production for the ten years, 1946-55, but it was 7 

 percent under the record production in 1955. 



The 1957 crop season opened with topsoil moisture generally sufficient to ger- 

 minate spring seedlings and give winter wheat a good start. Seed germination and 

 crop growth were generally favorable and by July 1 the crop production potential 

 was above average. Subsoil moisture, however was short in some central and 

 eastern counties. Unseasonally warm, dry weather in July forced the maturity of 

 small grains causing some loss of test weight and yield. Part of this loss was com- 

 pensated by heavy yields of irrigated crops. Crops were harvested during August 

 and until late September with little interruption. Rain and snow late that month 

 interferred with the harvest of sugar beets, beans, seed crops, and some late seedlings. 



Wheat production in 1957 was down from previous years due to reduced acreage. 

 The acreage harvested was 11 percent below 1956 and 16 percent below the 1946-55 

 average. Winter wheat reached new prominence this year with its acreage account- 

 ing for nearly 44 percent of all the wheat acreage harvested. This compares with 

 30 percent for the 1946-55 average. Winter wheat was planted in many new localities 

 and abandonment was unusually light. However, as a result, the acreages of both 

 durum and other spring wheat were reduced from 1956. Production of durum 

 amounted to 22 percent of the National crop. Montana ranks second as a durum 

 producer. In 1957, durum accounted for 23 percent of the spring wheat produced 

 in the State. 



Production of oats in 1957 was about average. However, production of barley 

 reached a record high because of increased seedings, much of which was acreage 

 diverted from wheat. 



Hay production amounted to 2.99 million tons, up 11 percent from 1956, but 

 slightly under the high production in 1955. Good yields were obtained in all dis- 

 tricts with the exception of some dry areas in the northcentral and northeastern 

 districts. 



Flaxseed acreage declined about 27 percent from 1956. Yield was also below 

 normal. As a result, production of flaxseed was less than one-half of the 10-year 

 average. The production of mustard seed declined 46 percent from 1956 due to 

 reduced acreage and yield. Hail did considerable damage which increased aban- 

 donment and reduced yield. 



Compared with the previous year, alfalfa seed production rose 31 percent, but 

 lower prices and unfavorable growing conditions caused a sharp reduction in red 

 clover seed acreage, and a corresponding decrease in production. Sweetclover seed 

 was cut from a larger acreage and production increased 46 percent. Crested 

 wheatgrass seed acreage harvested increased from 6,500 acres in 1956 to 18,000 

 acres in 1957 because of a more favorable growing season. Corn production was 

 28 percent higher than in 1956. Total production has only been surpassed by the 

 record year 1955. 



Some irrigated crops achieved excellent production, but the production of dry 

 peas was the lowest recorded since 1919. The average yield of 15.6 tons per acre 

 for sugar beets was the highest of record and topped the previous record high 

 established last year by .8 ton. 



Cherrj' production was up sharply from 1956 and considerably above the 10-year 

 average. Apple production was up from 1956 but below the 1946-55 average. 



Livestock: Cattle and calves on Montana farms and ranches decreased 1 percent 

 during 1957 to 2,294,000 head on January 1, 1958. Prices showed a continued advance 

 each month during the year except for October and November, and at the year's 

 end were considerably higher than at the beginning. The number of cattle and 

 calves marketed during 1957 decreased 14 percent from 1956 and because of good 

 feed supplies and favorable range conditions more cattle were held over the winter. 



The January 1, 1958, sheep and lamb inventory at 1,691,000 showed an increase 

 of 41.000 head during the year. Favorable winter and spring weather contributed 

 to a better than average lamb crop. Prices of lambs advanced through July, then 

 declined during the fall months and held for the balance of the year. However, 

 marketings fell off 16 percent from 1956. 



The hog population decreased by 1,000 head during 1957 to 112,000 head on 

 January 1, 1958. The number of horses and mules dropped 1 percent during 1957 

 and the inventory of chickens on farms was reduced 3 percent. 

 1 Preliminary data 



