porting beef cattle, 17,586 farms reporting dairy cattle and 24,913 farms reporting 

 swine. This illustrates the highly concentrated nature of the sheep industry in 

 Montana. 



Since the census of 1924, there has been a considerable increase in the num- 

 ber of small bands and farm flocks, but on the whole the sheep industry in Mon- 

 tana is still largely on the basis of relatively large outfits to which the operator 

 devotes his entire time and capital. 



Unlike the cattle industry, which is just entering a period of relative pros- 

 perity, the sheep industry has enjoyed a good market demand for both wool and 

 lambs since 1923. On the other hand, like the cattle industry, the sheep indus- 

 try has passed through periods of relative prosperity and depression and has 

 been subject to economic forces during the past 50 years of its development in 

 Montana that have played an important part in that development. 



It is the purpose of this discussion to recite briefly the history of the sheep 

 raising in Montana and to discuss the present status of the industry together with 

 its outlook. 



ADAPTABILITY OF MONTANA FOR SHEEP 



Probably the first question that occurs in consideration of the reasons for 

 the development of sheep raising into the important position occupied in Montana 

 agriculture is that of the general adaptability of Montana conditions for sheep 

 raising. These conditions are claimed by some to be even more favorable than 

 with cattle. It is also claimed that Montana conditions are better adapted to the 

 Merino and fine wool types than most of the sections of the inter-mountain region, 

 in fact the high quality of Montana wool is reflected in the average gradings 

 of 20 per cent fine wool and 80 per cent medium. Weights per fleece over a 

 period of more than 20 years have varied mostly between 6.8 pounds and 8.3 

 pounds vdth the average of later years indicating that average weights have 

 passed the 8 pound figure. This compares with the U. S. average of 7.6 pounds. 

 In 1928 Montana was second in wool production in the United States and fifth 

 in average weight per fleece. Montana's average weight was 8.6 pounds while 

 Washington averaged 10.0 pounds on a clip about fifth the total of Montana and 

 Oregon averaged 9.2 pounds on a clip about four-fifths the size of Montana's. 

 Texas, exceeding Montana in total size of clip, did not equal Montana in average 

 weight per fleece. 



Combined with the advantage of good weight and quality of fleece in Mon- 

 tana is the quality of Montana lambs which have always met with a good demand 

 on part of feeders. Illustrating this situation is the fact that nearly half of 

 Montana's lamb exports are shipped direct to feeders in the corn belt states and 

 western feeding areas. 



MONTANA NOW IN SECOND EXPANSION PERIOD 



Montana is now in the second expansion of her sheep industry. The first 

 expansion period marked the development of the great flocks of the open range 

 days and saw a rapid and substantial increase from less than half a million head 

 in 1880 to slightly more than six million head between 1900 and 1906. From 

 1910 to 1920, a sharp steady decline was noted until a low point of close to two 

 million head was reached by 1920. During this decade the war demand for wool 

 and mutton as a stimulating factor in production was more than offset by a 

 period of short feed years from 1917 to 1919 inclusive as is indicated by the fact 



