LIVESTOCK SECTION 



IMPORTANCE OF LIVESTOCK IN MONTANA 



The importance of livestock in Montana is indicated by its annual 

 contribution to the total farm income of the state. In 1926, out of a 

 total of $129,856,000, it is estimated that $71,490,000 will come from live- 

 stock sources. Beef cattle alone will contribute about thirty-one million 

 dollars to the total for 1926, second only to wheat whose cash contribu- 

 tion is placed at forty-one million dollars. Sheep with combined returns 

 from lambs and wool, will return about twenty-two million dol'ars with 

 the dairy industry contributing about ten million dollars. 



It is significant that three of the four largest sources of agricultural 

 income in Montana are livestock sources. There has only been one year, 

 that of 1924, when total income from crops exceeded that from livestock 

 and its products. 



BEEF CATTLE IN MONTANA 



Since 1870 the trend of beef production in Montana is indicated by the 

 trends in numbers of cattle, other than milk cows, as estimated by the U. S. 

 Division of Crops and Livestock Estimates as of January 1st each year since 

 the year 1870. This data is summarized as follows: 



.January Ist 



Number on 

 Farms 

 (Head) 



1870 24.000 



1880 162,000 



1883-1889 Seven Year Average 773,000 



1890-1899 Ten Year Average 1,048,000 



1900-1909 Ten Year Average 970.000 



1910-1919 Ten Year Average 971,000 



1920-1924 Five Year Average 1,148,000 



