4 Foreword-Message from the Director 



Montana Agricui.ti'r.\l Statistics 1998 



MESSAGE FROM 

 THE DIRECTOR 



This 35th annual edition of^ Montana Agricultural 

 Statistics provides information that will enable 

 our agribusiness industry to make viable 

 production, business and marketing decisions- 

 decisions that will affect their long term economic 

 well being as well as the state of Montana. 



This information is provided through the courtesy 

 of your fellow agribusiness people who share their 

 data with the rest of industry. Our great 

 appreciation goes out to those individuals. 



As we approach the 21st century, we become more aware of how world markets affect us even though we 

 live in Montana. Hence, it is even more important to have accurate data to assist our producers in their 

 decision making processes. The Montana Department of Agriculture and the Montana Agricultural Statistics 

 Service will continue to provide that information in printed and electronic format. 



Sincerely, 



Ralph Peck 

 Director 



