AGRICULTUR.\L STATISTICS 



FOREWORD 



Agriculture continues to be Montana's leading industry-. In 1971, cash receipts from farm 

 marketings and government payments contributed $712 million to the State's economy. Farming 

 and ranching provide employment for about 58,000 persons and related enterprises furnish jobs 

 for many more. 



Accurate and unbiased basic infonnation contributes to improved decision making by farm 

 and ranch operators, agri-business, and state and local government. Statistics in this bulletin 

 provide this basic data. 



The Statistical Reporting Service, USD A and Montana Department of Agriculture, cooperat- 

 ing as the "Montana Crop and Livestock Reporting Service" collect and publish agricultural 

 statistics for Montana. These are published currently throughout the year; and combined, together 

 with special county data, for this biennial bulletin. 



Most of the basic infonnation is obtained by sample surveys of farmers and ranchers. Supple- 

 mental infomiation is also acquired from sugarbeet companies, grain elevators and mills, bean 

 companies, seed processors, slaughter plants, hatcheries, manufacturers of dairy products, auction 

 markets, and others. Also a number of State, Federal and local governmental agencies contribute 

 toward development of these statistics. Our sincere appreciation to all of the public-spirited 

 persons and firms who have helped. 



Statistics on cattle movement, wheat varieties, wheat movement, and wheat stocks by class 

 are made possible through Federal funds under the Matching Funds program of the Agricultural 

 Marketing Service, USDA as provided by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. 



We also thank the major farm organizations; and Montana commodity groups such as the 

 Stock Growers Association, Wheat Commission, Wool Growers Association, Grain Growers 

 Association, Pork Producers Council, and others, for their support and encouragement. 



This publication is available upon request to the Agricultural Statistician, P. O. Box 1726, 

 Helena, Montana or the Montana Department of Agriculture, Capitol Comple.x, Helena, Montana. 



MONTANA'S RANK IN THE NATIONS AGRICULTURE — 1971 



LIVESTOCK & PRODUCTS CROPS 



Type Rank Type Rank 



All Cattle 13 .\cres in Strip-Cropping 1 



Ail Cows 10 .All Wheat 4 



Milk Cows 42 Winter Wheat 6 



Beef Cows 8 Durum Wheat 3* 



Cattle on Feed 18 Hard Spring Wheat 3* 



Hogs 28 All Hay 13 



Sheep & Umbs 6 Alfalfa Hay 10 



Wool ^ Do' Beans 11 



Chickens 40 Barley 2 



Honev 15 Oats 15 



Rye 29 



Flax 5 



Potatoes 25 



Sugarbeets 10 



•1969-71 Average-Montana ranked 2 



