MONTANA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS 



FOREWORD 



Agriculture is the largest economic force in Montana and the statistics in this bulletin 

 provide a measure of its size and health — both at the State level and by counties. In 1979, the 

 State's farms and ranches contributed 1.4billion dollars to the economy — more than double the 

 next largest industry. 



The Economics, Statistics, & Cooperatives Services, USDA, and the Montana Department of 

 Agriculture, cooperating as the "Montana Crop and Livestock Reporting Service" collect and 

 publish a comprehensive array of agricultural statistics. These are published currently through- 

 out the year; and are combined with special county data for this biennial bulletin. 



Most of the basic information is obtained by sample surveys of farmers and ranchers. 

 Supplemental information is also acquired from agri-business firms. Several State, Federal and 

 local governmental agencies also contribute toward the development of these statistics. OUR 

 SINCERE APPRECIATION TO ALL OF THE PUBLIC-SPIRITED PERSONS AND FIRMS WHO HAVE 

 HELPED. 



Special statistics on wheat — varieties, stocks by class, movement, utilization; and barley for 

 malt, were funded by the Montana Wheat Research and Marketing Committee. Data on barley 

 varieties were funded by the National Malting Barley Improvement Association. 



Earlier issues of biennial bulletins are available on a limited basis for historical county 

 statistics. 



In mid-1978 a special historical bulletin was published and is available, showing State-level 

 statistics back to 1867. 



Daniel L. Herbert, 

 State Statistician 



COPIES OF THE CURRENT PUBLICATION, EARLIER ISSUES, AND THE HISTORICAL 

 BULLETIN ARE AVAILABLE FROM: 



Montana Crop & Livestock Reporting Service 

 P.O. Box 4369 — Helena, Montana 59601 



or 



Montana Department of Agriculture 



Agriculture/Livestock Bldg — 6th & Roberts 



Helena, Montana 59601 



