STATE OF MONTANA 



MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER 



It would seem now, during this our centennial year with all its glamour, color, and progress 

 being revealed all over the State, is a most fitting time to reflect on our great agricultural heritage 

 and the changes and developments which have taken place. In no industry in our modern complex 

 economy has the change been greater than in agriculture. From the simple needs of the individual 

 farm, self-sufficient in nature; which actually is the basis for the founding of this great country, has 

 emerged the most highly specialized and technical agricultural plant the world has ever known. 

 Montana with its highly specialized ranching industry producing the very finest meat in the 

 nation, and its huge grain farms producing the very highest quality wheat, is certainly an integral 

 part of this highly technical agricultural machine. 



Agriculture has been able to grow and prosper in Montana as in other parts of this country 

 because of a recognition of the need for basic facts concerning the industry. In today's agriculture, 

 an uninformed operator can no longer be successful as either a producer or marketer of an agricul- 

 tural commodity. Statistics concerning production, prices, marketing and conservation are as basic 

 to successful operation of the farm and agri-business as any of the raw materials of agriculture. 



Recognizing the need for these vital statistics as an aid to both the producer and the marketer, 

 the Montana State Department of Agriculture has joined with the United States Department of 

 through the Crop Reporting Service to provide these useful and helpful statistics. 



It is with the greatest of pride and pleasure that I present this tenth in a series of "Montana 

 Agricuhural Statistics." It represents the cooperative efforts of many people interested in the 

 continued progress of agriculture in Montana. I recommend it most highly for people who are 

 charting the future course of our most important industry. 



^.\L.^eU. Purdy 



Montana Comnnissioner of Agri 



