MONTANA LIVESTOCK 3 



Livestock 



The trends and shifts in livestock production in the state that were in evidence in 

 1922 continued in more pronounced fashion during 1923. There was a very heavy 

 liquidation in beef cattle, a continued expansion in sheep, and still larger proportionate 

 gains in milk cows, hogs, poultry, and bees, while the cash income ' from horses was 

 very small compared with several years ago. Grass on ranges was generally abundant, 

 and a large supply of feeds was raised. 



(See tables for information as to numbers, values, gross receipts, etc.) 



Beef Beef cattle production, the leading branch of the livestock industry 



Cattle in Montana, met with severe reverses again in 1923, in the form of 



low market values for range cattle, local financial difficulties which 

 would not permit of further extensions of much needed credit, and (comparatively high 

 production costs. Most cattle went on summer ranges in good shape, and ranges were 

 for the most part excellent throughout the season, while the supplies of winter feeds 

 produced were more than adequate for normal requirements. But growers found it 

 necessary to sacrifice many stock cows, calves, and much immature stuff. As a result 

 more cattle were shipped from the state in 1923 than in any other year in the history of 

 the state, except 1918 and 1919, when grass and feed crops were short, and prices very 

 favorable. On the whole, cattlemen are yet in a distressed financial condition, although 

 a ray of hope is seen now and then, and those who have been able thus far to stay in 

 the business hope for an improvement in 1921. The mild winter of 1923-'24 enabled 

 stockmen to winter their herds at about minimum expense and still maintain them in 

 generally splendid shape. More cattle were fattened on corn and other feeds in the 

 state in 1923 than usual, which is encouraging; but it will probably be some time 

 before any considerable percentage of the annual output of cattle is fattened before 

 shipment to markets. 



Sheep The production of sheep and wool continued on the upgrade during 



1923. Both lambs and wool brought a profit to the growers. The 

 sheep industry is also carrying a heavy burden of debt, but the two favorable years just 

 passed have enabled the sheepman to strengthen his financial holds. There was a 

 moderate exipansion in numbers of sheep in the state last year, but many owners found 

 it expedient to sell practically all of their ewe lambsl. The 1923 wool clip was quite 

 generally satisfactory both as to quality and weight. It seems that sheepmen are 

 drifting away from the custom of contracting their clips in advance of or at shearing 

 time, and are selling more wool through local pools and associations, largely on a con- 

 signment basis. 



Hogs The increase in hog production gained momentum in 1923, which is in 



line with state-wide diversification tendencies. This expansion was 

 by far the most pronounced in the corn-growing counties. At the end of the year 

 there were as many hogs in the state as ever before, if not more. Most of our hogs 

 are used locally and by packing establishments within the state. The bulk of the 

 shipments out of the state go to markets to the west of us. 



Montana leads all the states in avejrage production of surplus honey 



and per colony over the ten-jear period 1913-1921, with an average yield 



Honey of 82 pounds per colony. Wyoming stands second with an average 



of 80 pounds, and the average for the entire country for the same 



period is 46.1 pounds. In 1923 the average yield of honey per colony in Montana was 



118 pounds, which was exceeded by North Dakota, but compares with the United States 



1923 average of 39.1 pounds. 



