Montana Acricui.turai. Statistics 1 989 



Foreword 3 



STAN STEPHENS 

 GOVERNOR 



STATE OF MONTANA 

 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICLTTURE 



OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 



AGRICULTUREyLIVESTOCK BLDG. 



CAPITOL STATION 



lU I f N \. MON I VS \ ^'>ft2llli:ill 



TELEPHONE: 

 (4004443144 



FAX (406) 444.S409 



EVERETT M.SNORTLAND 



DIRECTOR 



MESSAGE FROM 

 THE DIRECTOR 



The statistics presented in this years 

 agricultural statistics bulletin vividly depict the 

 1988 drought. Statewide statistics reflect the 

 fact that crop and livestock production in 

 virtually all of Montana v^as affected by the 

 lack of moisture. Fortunately, crop insurance 

 and other government assistance programs 

 combined with improved prices to offset some 

 of the financial loss that would have 

 otherwise been incurred. This buffer helped producers get through a tough period and in 

 position to benefit from this years much more favorable weather/production conditions. 



As a business, agriculture faces many uncontrollable factors. The influences that result in the 

 dynamic nature of our industry make access to reliable information an essential aspect of 

 conducting business. The information found in this bulletin can help reduce some of the 

 uncertainties and facilitate more informed decisions. 



Sincerely, 



Everett Snortland 

 Director 



