2002 MOITTANA AQRICULTDRAL STATISTICS 



Foreword 3 



Comments from The Governor 



Agriculture today is a complex and multi-faceted 

 business enterprise. Agri-business people need 

 concise and accurate information upon which to base 

 their decisions. This 39th edition of the Montana 

 Agricultural Statistics Bulletin provides that tjrpe of 

 information in printed and electronic format. 



Each day, Montana's agricultural industry faces many 

 challenges; world competition, weather, trade 

 concerns, federal issues, along with the day to day 

 management concerns related to production, finances, 

 and marketing. The information provided in this 

 bulletin will assist Montana's agri-businesses in their 

 decision-making processes. 



My deepest appreciation goes to those individuals 

 who persist in providing the nation and the world 

 with high quality Montana agricultural products. 

 With this ingrained desire to succeed, agriculture 

 will continue to be Montana's number one industry 



Sincerely, 



>y-t^»^ 



Judy Martz 

 Governor 



