STATK OF- :>M»XX.V3rxV 



THOMAS L. JUDGE 



GOVERNOR 



GEORGE LACKMAN 



COMMISSIONER 

 CAPITOL ANNEX BUILDING 



HELENA, MONTANA 59601 



TELEPHONE: 406. 449-3144 



MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER 



It is a pleasure to bring you the XV edition of "Montana 



Agricultural Statistics." The booklet is a joint venture 



between the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Stat- 

 istical Reporting Service of the U.S.D.A 



Income from Montana farming and ranching enterprises 

 reached a new high during 1973 of just over $1.1 billion. 

 Therefore, agriculture continues to be by far the largest 

 industry in Montana. 



As our state's agricultural industry continues to reach 

 toward its potential, the importance of an accurate, up-to- 

 date, data base will become even more important. Dependable 

 statistics are an indispensable tool in helping farmers, leg- 

 islators, farm organizations, government agencies, and agri- 

 business interests plan for the future. 



The growing importance of the type of statistical data 

 contained here in is reflected in the increased demand for 

 this booklet by people from nearly every segment of our soc- 

 iety. 



I sincerely hope that this information will be of great 

 benefit to you. 



of Agriculture 



