MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS 



1. Montana agricultural interests were represented at 12 formal pro- 

 ceedings before the Interstate Commerce Commission and eight formal 

 proceedings before the Montana Public Service Commission. Activi- 

 ties of the transportation program during the first year of opera- 

 tion achieved grain transportation cost savings of $1,800,000. 



2. The Rural Development Unit has initiated 29 Junior Livestock Loans 

 for a total of $100,000 and 12 Participating Rural Real Estate 

 Loans totaling $180,000 during fiscal 1974. A total case load of 

 87 Rural Development Loans at a value of $1,132,961. 



3. Usage levels of the Wheat Research and Marketing Committee's "tele- 

 phone grain market news service" exceeded projections by 105 per- 

 cent. A second telephone recorder unit has been installed to ac- 

 commodate this increase. 



4. The first comprehensive index of major Montana suppliers of agri- 

 culture products was compiled and published to assist domestic 

 and international market development. 



5. Three major and 15 smaller training courses covering special aspects 

 of pesticides were conducted. Two thousand, two hundred twenty two 

 pesticide products were registered for use in Montana. Licensing of 

 614 applicators, 780 dealers and 700 retailers was completed. 



6. Application of part-time field personnel and special training con- 

 cepts provided efficient inspection for interstate shipment of 

 850,000 c.w.t. of certified seed potatoes and 2,260,000 pounds of 

 sweet cherries. Also expanded inspection service of nursery pro- 

 ducts, produce wholesalers and dealers providing greater consumer 

 protection. 



7. Registration of apiaries increased by 51 percent to 3,201 consisting 

 of 78,298 hives. The incidence of disease in honeybee hives was 

 held to .07 percent through an expanded inspection and education 

 program. 



8. The State Hail Insurance premium for fiscal 1974 reached $1,310,956, 

 highest in its fifty-seven year history. Number of policies in- 

 creased by 600 to 3,051. 



9. Two hundred twenty separate continuing statistical report series 

 with four special statistical reports were compiled as part of the 

 Federal-State Cooperative Program. 



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