$54.10, or about 9 per cent lower than a year ago when $58.10 was reported, 

 and was the highest value since January 1, 1919. Compared with two years ago 

 present values per head for all cattle, unlike sheep, are about 26 per cent higher 

 and are likewise relatively much higher than any year preceding 1927 back to 

 1919. 



The average value of hogs on January 1, 1930, at $12.60 per head, was only 

 moderately lower than that of a year ago but well under the average of $14.30 

 per head reported two years ago. 



LIVESTOCK NUMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES 



A continued decline in the horse population; a slight increase in numbers of 

 all cattle; a fair increase in sheep and decreased swine numbers characterize 

 the January 1, livestock estimates for the United States as issued by the crop 

 reporting board. 



The report shows also a slight increase in the number of milk cows and 

 larger numbers of heifers under two years old being kept for milk cows. 



Average values of livestock in the United States on January 1, 1930, show 



slight gains over a year ago in case of horses, mules and swine, a moderate re- 

 duction in value per head of all cattle and a rather sharp reduction in the aver- 

 age value per head of sheep and lambs. 



SWINE 



Montana's hog numbers have been growing steadily since 1926 rising from 

 250,000 head on January 1 of that year to 328,000 on January 1, 1929. Increase 

 and decrease factors during 1929 left the January 1, 1930, number practically 

 unchanged, but the breeding stock represented in the present total is somewhat 

 less than a year ago. 



Total spring and fall pig crops in 1929 were about 8 per cent larger than 

 in 1928. Marketings in 1929 were considerably larger than in the preceding year. 

 Producers generally encountered a more favorable year than in 1928 as indicated 

 by the total income from hogs which was $7,110,000 in 1929, compared with 

 $5,262,000 in 1928. 



POULTRY 



Poultry growers did not find 1929 as profitable a year as 1928, especially 

 turkey growers. Cold damp weather conditions during the early hatching season 

 were unfavorable for saving the young poults and for developing those which 

 survived. Later a hot, dry summer interfered with green feed and otherwise 

 hampered poultry growers. Disease losses were about usual in case of chickens 

 and a little larger in case of turkeys. 



Prices for chickens and eggs compared favorably with the preceding year 

 throughout most of 1929, although breaking sharply below 1928 averages during 

 the closing months of 1929. In case of turkeys a big national crop resulted in 

 Montana growers receiving less for 1929 turkeys from the start. Later prices 

 went even lower compared with those of 1928. 



Poultry income in Montana in 1929 was estimated at $4,098,000, compared 

 with $4,314,000 in 1928 and $4,188,000 in 1927. 



MULES 



Montana has a small mule population which has shown a slight increase 

 in recent years. The census of 1920 found 9,000 mules in the state and the present 

 number is estimated at 11,000 head. 



26 



