LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS 



LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS 



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Inventory Value Farm Animals. 



Total value of all classes of Montana livestock on farms and ranges in the 

 State on January 1, 1926, was $94,206,000, or a little better than $4,000,000 larger 

 than the revised estimate for January 1, 1925. 



Net changes during the year ending January 1, 1926, show, according to the 

 official estimates, a decline of 20,000 in horse numbers, no change in numbers of 

 mules and mule colts, a decrease of 60,000 in numbers of all cattle, and an in- 

 crease of 262,000 in numbers of all sheep and no change in numbers of swine. 



In relative valuations, cattle lead the list with a total of $40,960,000 against 

 $40,200,000 a year ago and an average value per head of $32 against $30 last 

 year. Sheep follow with a total value this year of $32,342,000 against $26,822,000 

 and an average value per head of $11.40 against $10.40 last year. Horses and 

 colts this year had a total value of $16,128,000 against $19,072,000 a year ago 

 and an average value per head this year of $28 compared with $32 last year. 

 Mules and mule colts were valued this year at $576,000, against $514,000 last year 

 with an average value per head this year of $52 and $47 last year. All swine 

 this year were valued at $4,200,000 against $3,360,000 last year and an average 

 value per head this year of $15 compared to $12 last year. 



Numbers of livestock this year (last year in parenthesis) for the various classes 

 were as follows: Horses and colts, 576,000 (596,000) : mules and mule colts, 11,000 

 (11,000) ; all cattle, 1,280,000 (1,340,000) ; all sheep, 2,837,000 (2,579,000) ; all 

 swine, 280,000 (280,000). 



Included in above estimates of all cattle are estimated numbers and values 

 of milk cows and heifers (for milk) two years old and over on January 1, 1926, 

 as follows (1925 comparisons in parenthesis) : Number, 192,000 (187,000) ; value 

 per head, $54 ($50); total value, $10,368,000 ($9,350,000). Number of heifer 

 calves intended for milk, aged over one year and under two years, was 36,000 

 this year and 35,000 last year. 



The above estimates are based on (1) the data secured by the Federal Census 

 of the fall of 1924; (2) voluntary reports of actual holdings by a large number of 

 stockmen and farmers throughout the State, (3) special sample surveys conducted 

 by the U. S. Department of Agriculture through the rural carriers with the co- 

 operation of the Post Office Department, (4) a careful analysis of railroad ship- 

 ments and stockyard receipts during the past five years. Revisions of yearly 

 estimates from 1920 to 1924 were made in connection with the estimates for 1925 

 and 1926. 



NUMBERS MONTANA STOCK GRAZED ON NATIONAL FOREST RESERVES 1918-24 

 (Data from United States Department of Forestry) 



* Data incomplete. Figures shown represent period from July 1 to December 31, 1920. 



