TEDSCHWINDEN 



GOVERNOR 



STATE OF MONTANA 

 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 



AGRICULTURE/LIVESTOCK BLDG. 



CAPITOL STATION 



HKI.KNA. MOM ANA 5%20-«20l 



TELEPHONE: 



AREA CODE 406 



M4-3144 



KEITH KELLY 



DIRECTOR 



MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 



During the past several years agriculture in Montana has 

 seen a downturn in production due to drought conditions, coupled 

 with a depressed economic condition which has harshly impacted 

 many farmers and ranchers in the state. The health of Montana's 

 economy has become highly dependent on the status of its 

 agricultural sector. For example, Montana's agricultural income 

 in 1931 was a little more than $64 million compared with $1.4 

 billion in 1985 an increase of 22 times. Although, from 1984 to 

 1985 total farm income decreased by 14 percent. This alone 

 indicates that as Montana's agricultural economic health goes, so 

 does the economic health of the entire state. This has been 

 shown by the vast slowdown in the states economy over the past 

 few years. 



The ever changing economic and climatic factors affecting 

 our agricultural industry have made it necessary for producers 

 and agriculturally related businesses to have pertinent 

 information and accurate statistics available for use. It is my 

 hope that you will find the 1984-85 Montana Statistical Bulletin 

 informative and useful in your decision making process regarding 

 Montana's number one industry. 



Sincerely, 



Keith Kelly 

 Director 



An Affirmative Action/Equal Employmeni Opportunity Employer 



