Instead of the "cureall", it is sometimes assumed to 

 be, supplemental feed only makes range management 

 more vitally necessary 



Recent Cost Return meetings held by many Soil and 

 Water Conservation District ranchers in Montana show 

 that winter feeding is by far the most expensive part 

 ymicaHJfCVCr of a rancher's yearly operation. "Heads up" ranchers ymmver 



■pfytcl^e provide grazing for as many months of the year as the utiix tUp water' 



^*"^' In most cases land taxes, initial investment, boundry run^ar}j. 



teuummiiKt fences, handling costs, etc., are the same regardless 



of how the ranch is operated. The profit lies in bal- 

 ancing land use to provide proper amounts of range, 

 tame pasture and hay and then gearing the basic size 

 of the herd to what the natural resources will support. 

 This is the result of sound planning. 



Experiments carried out at the Range Experiment Station 

 at Miles City revealed that ranchers raising yearlings 

 must pay, with lighter yearling weights, f6r overstocking 

 their cow and calf range even though abundant range forage 

 is provided for the calves during their second summer. 



PLANNING FOR CONSERVATION 



.... Don Luebbe, Agricultural Program Leader, Extension Service 



The Conservation Needs Inventory recently completed in Montana points out that 

 Montana has nearly 9 million acres of cropland and 34 million acres of range and 

 woodland that needs some kind of conservation treatment. In order that these acres 

 may be maintained in a productive state for future generations conservation treat- 

 metns must be applied to the land. The responsibility for seeing that these con- 

 servation measures are carried out rests largely with the individual farmers and 

 ranchers of the state. 



In order for these conservation practices to become a reality it will require careful 

 planning and cooperation of individuals with the support and assistance of govern- 

 mentaVagencies, soil and water conservation districts and private organizations. 

 Experience has shown that these things do not just happen. Our present economy 

 and high material standards of life that are enjoyed by Americans today have come 

 as the end product of the plans of millions of individuals, groups and governmental 

 organizations. 



The Conservation Plan is an effective tool for farmers and ranchers to use in helping 

 them work out a system for accomplishing the conservation practices. This plan pro- 

 vides an inventory of his soil and water resources. The soils information helps to 

 guide him in determining the kind of crops he can produce and the treatments he should 

 apply to his land. This valuable service is available to the farmer merely by making 

 application to his local Soil and Water Conservation District. 



Before the farm operator decides to carry out a conservation practice, whether it be 

 reseeding range land or installing a grass waterway, he must also feel confident that 

 the investment will pay out. Farmers as "tillers of the soil" have a natural interest 

 in conservation; however, they also recognize they are operating in an economic soc- 

 iety. He must be able to estimate the probably benefits and costs associated with any 

 proposed practice and to have a reasonable assurance that the economic benefits will 

 show a favorable return in relation to the cost. 



* * * 



One may not live by bread alone but 



many try to get along on cmst. 



