STATE OF MONTANA 7 



MONTANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK— 1963* 



The 1963 growing season was very favorable for crops and livestock production. It was one 

 of the longest frost-free growing seasons of record. Rainfall was timely and generally adequate in 

 all areas except part of the north central district centering on Liberty County which experienced 

 drought for the third consecutive year. Portions of adjoining counties including Toole, Pondera, 

 Teton, Chouteau and Hill were also droughty. However, elsewhere in the State growing conditions 

 were much above average. The prolonged growing period resulted in above average yields for 

 late maturing crops, such as com, beans, potatoes, hay, sugar beets, and alfalfa and red clover 

 seeds. 



Crops: Production of all wheat totaled 89,869,000 bushels. This was the largest crop since 

 1958, and the seventh largest in 91 years of records. It placed Montana third in wheat production 

 in the Nation. The winter wheat crop at 49,166,000 bushels, was the largest in 55 years. About 

 75 percent of the winter wheat acreage was seeded with the Cheyenne variety and next in order 

 were Karmont with 10 percent and Itana with 7 percent. The durum wheat crop totaled 3,848,000 

 bushels, down sharply from the large 1962 output. Montana's production was exceeded only by 

 North Dakota. Leading varieties of durum in 1963 were Langdon with 42 percent of the total 

 acreage; Stewart, 22 percent; and Wells, 18 percent. Production of other spring wheat at 36,855,000 

 bushels was the largest since 1956. This established Montana as the second ranking State in 

 production of this class of wheat. The leading variety, Thatcher with 39 percent of the acreage, 

 was followed by Chinook with 17 percent and Centana with 10 percent. 



Production of barley, at 44,663,000 bushels, was 19 percent under the 1962 record-high but 3 

 percent above the 1957-61 average. Montana ranked third in the Nation in barley being surpassed 

 only by North Dakota and California. The leading varieties were Compana with 63 percent of the 

 seeded acreage; Betzes, 21 percent; and Unitan, 6 percent. 



The oats crop at 9,801,000 bushels was 9 percent smaller than in 1962 but exceeded the 

 average by 24 percent. 



Flaxseed production in 1963 totaled 340,000 bushels, nearly half again as large as the 

 230,000 bushels produced in 1962. 



The output of sugar beets was boosted to an all-time high for Montana by the exceptionally 

 long frost-free growing season and a large acreage. The crop totaled 1,169,000 tons. The acreage 

 harvested was the largest since 1947 and the average yield per acre was at an unprecedented 

 high of 17.8 tons. Because of the long growing season, beets attained larger sizes than normal 

 and tonnage was increased significantly. Montana was the eighth ranking State in sugar beet 

 production in 1963. 



The potato crop totaled 1,382,000 cwt., 11 percent above 1962. Yield at 180 cwt. per acre tied 

 with 1961 for the record high. Production of dry beans at 224,000 cwt., clean basis, placed Montana 

 in tenth place among States in 1963. The yield of 1,870 pounds per acre was likewise the highest of 

 record. 



Production of seeds was much above average in 1963. The alfalfa seed crop at 11.5 million 

 pounds, clean basis, was the largest ever produced in Montana and placed Montana sixth among 

 States. Production of crested wheatgrass seed totaled 990,000 pounds. Although this was sharply 

 lower than the 1962 crop of 1,564,000 pounds, it was about two-fifths more than the 5-year average. 

 Montana was the top ranking State in the production of this seed. Red clover seed output of 371,000 

 pounds was the largest since 1959, and a large part of the crop was certified seed. Because of 

 droughty conditions in the north central counties, the mustard seed crop totaling 14,250,000 was the 

 smallest since 1957. 



Montana farmers and ranchers harvested a record 3,561,000 tons of hay during 1963. Cuttings 

 of alfalfa totaled 2,044,000 tons, largest of record, and 657,000 tons of wild hay were harvested. 



The sour cherry production of 30 tons was the smallest since 1960 and the sweet cherry crop 

 of 40 tons tied with 1943 and 1951 for the lowest production of record. The apple crop of 35,000 

 bushels was 17 percent below average. 



Livestock: The number of cattle and calves on Montana farms and ranches increased 15 

 percent during 1963 to 2,674,000 head on January 1, 1964, a new record high for the State. This 

 promoted Montana to 12th rank in the Nation in number of cattle and calves. Low prices of cattle 

 and liberal supplies of feed influenced many ranchers to hold more cattle. 



The number of sheep and lambs, including lambs on feed, at 1,583,000 head, was only slightly 

 larger than the 1,581,000 a year earlier and established Montana as the sixth ranking sheep State. 



Hog numbers at 171,000 head on January 1, 1964 were 11 percent above January 1, 1963, and 

 the chicken population totaling 1,056,000 was down 6 percent. 



• Based on preliminary data. 



