Exports of wheat and wheat products, which account 

 for 83% of all Montana agricultural exports, dropped 

 $318.1 million between 1982 and 1985, following a 

 national trend in the decline of wheat exports. 



Farm Prices - ' ' ' 



Prices received for Montana cash crops have fallen 

 drastically in recent years. Wheat prices declined 

 42.4% from $4.22/bushel in 1980 to $2.43/bushel in 

 1986.^ 



Barley prices also slumped, dropping 47.3% between 

 1980 and 1986. These prices fell from $2.75/bushel in 

 1980 to $1.45/bushel in 1986.^ 



Beef cattle prices showed a substantial decline 

 over the past six years. In 1980, beef cattle prices 

 averaged $58.08/cwt. In 1986, these prices were down 

 15.1%, falling to a season average price of $49.30/cwt.' 



Farm Production Costs 



In 1985, 131.9% of Montana's total cash receipts 

 from farm marketings went toward payment of farm 

 production expenses. ° 



During the same year, Montana farm production 

 expenses exceeded total gross farm income by $13.3 

 million.^ 



