'' 



TEDSCHWINDEN 



GOVERNOR 



STATK OF MONTANA 

 DKPARTMKNT OF AGRICULTURE 



OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 



AGRICULTUROLIVESTOCK BLDG. 



CAPITOL STATION 



III I h N \. MOV I KN V 5')(i:il-(l2(ll 



TELEPHONE: 



AREA CODE 40e 



4443144 



KEITH KELLY 



DiRECTOB 



MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 



Agriculture is an integral part of Montana's economy as is 

 clearly shown by the 1.4 billion dollars of combined product 

 sales generated by the state's agricultural sector during 1984. 

 The depressed economic conditions coupled with drought over the 

 past several years has impacted farmers and ranchers directly. 

 The financial downturn has moved onto the main street of most all 

 towns and cities in Montana creating continued economic 

 uncertainty. These factors add up to drive home the fact of the 

 importance of agriculture to Montana's economy. 



Considering the economic and climatic adversities facing our 

 agricultural industry today, it is essential that relevant and 

 accurate statistics and information be available to producers and 

 agriculturally related businesses. I encourage the agricultural 

 industry to use the information found within this bulletin to 

 assist them in their decision making process regarding Montana's 

 #1 industry I 



Sincerely, 



Director 

 An Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opafrtuniiy Employer 



