LIVESTOCK SECTION 



GENERAL REVIEW FOR 1929 



The year 1929 was characterized by a severe summer drought which appar- 

 ently forced larger marketings of both cattle and sheep than would otherwise 

 have probably occurred. The forced marketings came both as a result of short 

 feed supplies as well as in sales of livestock by farmers to supplement a reduced 

 income from cash crops compared with 1928. 



The drought did not affect the early summer range either as to quantity or 

 quality of feed, preceded as it was by favorable June moisture. Deterioration of 

 ranges, however, began in the late summer and continued through the fall by 

 which time water supplies were becoming short. Cattle and sheep coming off 

 range feed were generally reported in good flesh, especially the early turnoff s. 



Drought generally reduced hay crops and fall range feed to a point where 

 many stockmen felt obliged to reduce holdings. Some farm cattle and sheep 

 were also sold as a result of the reduced income of growers from grain and other 

 cash crops. 



On the other hand, both the calf crop and the lamb crop in 1929 were larger 

 than in 1928, and under more favorable feed conditions would probably have 

 resulted in a gain in cattle numbers and a larger gain in sheep holdings. 



In case of swine, the spring pig crop was slightly larger than in 1928, and 

 the 1929 fall pig crop was the largest in several years. Prices for hogs through 

 most of the 1929 season were also better than in 19-28. Under these conditions 

 the 1929 marketings have been the largest in several years. Although present 

 numbers of swine are about equal to those of a year ago, the number of breed- 

 ing stock is somewhat smaller and the number of market hogs and pigs somewhat 

 larger. 



MARKETINGS OF MONTANA LIVESTOCK IN 1929 



During 1929, Montana growers shipped about 327,000 head of cattle and 

 calves; 210 000 head of hogs; 350,000 head of sheep and 1,378,000 head of lambs, 

 as indicated by available market and railroad records. The final marketing 

 records for 1928 show comparable shipments of 344,000 head of cattle and calves; 

 153,000 head of hogs; 365,000 head of sheep and 1,075,000 head of lambs. Esti- 

 mated total value of the shipments plus farm and local slaughter at prices pre- 

 vailing through the season was about $49,901,000 in 1929, compared with $45,- 

 531,000 in 1928 and $40,085,000 in 1927. 



MONTANA ANNUAL LIVESTOCK SUMMARY OF 

 NUMBERS AND VALUES 



Total numbers of cattle, sheep, swine, horses and mules in Montana on 

 January 1, this year, were placed at 5,904,000 head worth $118,309,000, compared 

 with 5,733,000 head worth $130,264,000 a year ago and 5,302. 000 head worth $109,- 

 405,000 two years ago, according to the annual livestock estimates of the State- 

 Federal Crop Reporting Service. 



The increase of 3 per cent in present numbers compared with a year ago was 

 brought about by increased sheep numbers, cattle, hogs and mules showing no 

 change compared with a year ago, and horses showing a slight decline. 



The decline in total value of present livestock holdings compared with a 

 year ago reflects the lower values per head for all classes of stock. In this de- 

 cline, sheep values show the greatest proportional loss, the present average value 

 per head of $9.30 being about 19 per cent lower than the average of $11.40 a year 

 ago and about 15 per cent below the average value of $11.00 per head two years 

 ago. It was likewise lower than any January 1 value since 1924 when the aver- 

 age was $8.70 per head. 



The average value per head of cattle and calves on January 1, 1930, was 



