STATE OF MONTANA II 



CROPS AND LIVESTOCK IN MONTANA DURING 1955 



Crops: Total crop production in 1955 attained a record high volume. It sur- 

 passed the 1953 record high by 7 percent, was 19 percent above last year and ex- 

 ceeded average production during the preceding decade. 



The 1955 crop season opened cool, wet and late. Spring snow and excessive 

 rainfall delayed the planting of spring crops and some early seeded acres of beans 

 and grains had to be reseeded. All planting operations were extended to late June. 

 Cool, damp weather led to excessive stooling of grains and vegetative growth was 

 luxuriant during the early summer. Grass and legume hay fields and pastures 

 made excellent growth, but much of the hay crop was lost or damaged by wet 

 weather during July. Excellent summer growing conditions hastened maturity of 

 the late seeded crops. Ideal fall weather assured a full and excellent harvest. 



Wheat production in 1955 was very high in relation to previous years, as a re- 

 sult of excellent per acre yields. Acreage harvested was further reduced by acre- 

 age allotments, but production in 1955 was only about 4 percent less than the all- 

 time high in 1953. Due to very favorable seeding conditions during the fall of 1954, 

 a record acreage of winter wheat was seeded and there was excellent survival due 

 to mild winter. Spring wheat acreage was divided between durum and other 

 spring wheats (hard red spring). More durum was raised as a result of the acreage 

 allotment program and the price advantage in favor of durum. Production of this 

 crop amounted to 28 percent of the national crop and placed Montana in second 

 place as a durum producer. However, it accounted for only 10 percent of the spring 

 wheat produced in the State. 



The total production of oats and barley in 1955 increased materially. Acreage 

 was expanded due to restrictions on wheat planting and excellent yields and were 

 realized as a result of ideal growing conditions. 



Hay production amounted to 3.05 million tons in 1955, down only slightly from 

 1953. Near record yields were realized in several parts of Southern Montana, but 

 wet weather in other areas of the State cut statewide yields. Low yields also 

 occurred in several western counties as a result of cool and dry weather in that 

 section. 



Flaxseed acreage declined about 40 percent because of unfavorable seeding con- 

 ditions, but unusually good yields per acre pushed production 2 percent to 672,000 

 bushels. Mustard seed production was expanded by almost 300 percent. At 30,- 

 799,000 pounds, it was 86 percent above the average for the preceding ten years. 



Alfalfa seed acreage and production rose 22 and 17 percent, respectively. 

 Sharply lower prices and dry weather west of the Divide caused a sharp reduction 

 in harvested red clover seed acreage, and a corresponding reduction in production. 

 Sweetclover seed production increased 36 percent and crested wheatgrass seed pro- 

 duction was 7 percent greater. 



Corn production was 77 percent higher than in 1954, as a result of increased 

 acreage and the highest recorded average yield per acre since 1916. 



Most irrigated crops achieved excellent production, but some dry bean yields 

 were lowered by hail during the harvest season. The average yield of 14.5 tons 

 per acre for sugar beets was the highest of record. 



Cherry production was down slightly from the level of the last two years, but 

 apple production gained slightly. 



Livestock: Cattle and calves on Montana farms and ranches increased 5 per- 

 cent during 1954 to 2,515,000 head on January 1, 1956. Prices advanced until August, 

 but were depressed for the rest of the year. Marketings increased slightly over 1954, 

 but due to low prices and extremely good feed supplies and ranges, more cattle 

 than usual were wintered and held for spring marketing. 



The January 1, 1956 sheep and lamb inventory at 1,757,000 head was virtually 

 unchanged from a year earlier. Spring storms contributed to unusual death losses 

 and a smaller lamb crop. Declining prices throughout the year reduced market- 

 ings. 



The hog population expanded 26 percent during 1955 to 141,000 head on January 

 1, 1956. The number of horses and mules dropped 6 percent during 1955, and the 

 inventory of chickens on farms was reduced 3 percent. 



