(3) Should the state restrict the amount of farm 

 losses that can be deducted from nonfarm 

 income for income tax purposes? 



Following adoption of the study plan, the 

 Subcommittee opened hearings on agricultural research 

 and on problems relating to the quality of Montana 

 grain. 



Hearing on Agricultural Research 



The Subcommittee commenced hearings with testimony 

 from Dr. James Welch, Director, Montana Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, Montana State University; Dr. Leroy 

 Luft, Associate Director, Cooperative Extension Service, 

 Montana State University; and Dr. Bill Tietz, President, 

 Montana State University. Each speaker provided 

 information on current state research programs and 

 generally defended research activities. In his 

 testimony. Dr. Tietz told the Subcommittee that the 

 University System is very much attuned to the problems 

 and needs of Montana agriculture. 



The Subcommittee then heard from Al Kurki and Dave 

 Oien, representing the Alternative Energy Resources 

 Organization, who spoke on the need to refocus state 

 agricultural research to better meet the needs of 

 Montana farmers and ranchers. Dave Oien criticized the 

 current emphasis of Montana agricultural research, 

 which, he said, is to increase the level of farm 

 production. Mr. Oien stated that increasing the level 

 of production has led to increased dependence on fossil 

 fuels, increased use of pesticides and chemical 

 fertilizers, increased capital requirements, increased 



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