The }ionorable Tlin Babcock 

 December 27, 1908 

 Page 2 



ttm»t dotm some 1/3 million tons from 1967. Sweet cherry crop at 1,500 

 tons, was only about 1/2 the previous year's crop. I an pleased to say 

 that livestock and livestock products continued to play a inost important 

 part in oui' agricultural producticai and livestock marketings i*ere \jp 

 substantially this year. The Inrj.e hay crrrj and above noinaal range 

 conditicais indicate good proUuctiran for another year. 



The following figures on cash marketing on crqps and livestock are 

 indicative of the great in^^act of agricultural income on the state's 

 economy. Preliminary figures on cash marketings are as follows: 



CASH FARM RECEIPTS IN MILLIOM DOLIARS 



Livestock & Livestock Products 267.2 280.0 



Crops 220.8 190.0 



Government payments (Conservation, 



Sugar Act, AqqI Act, Soil Bank, 



0. i.'beat and Feed Grains, etc.) 69.1 75.0 



557,1 5U5.0 



These figures indicate the ev^rcnie iit|>ortance of agriculture in the 

 Montana eooncBuy, 



The drqp in crop Income reflects a weakening in the price structure 

 for some of the major crops, especially wheat, the states leading crop. 

 Total returns from crc^e were approximately some fifteen million dollars 

 down even thougti production was at an all time high. 



Livestock and livestock products showed a substantial increase and 

 •long with increased government paywents, kept the farm income from 

 slipping further. 



Rea^ectfully subnltted. 



Lowell Purdy 

 fomwissioner of Agrieulti^j^ 



CLF:Bd( 

 Enc. 



