Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1917-02-23
TWO YEARS. STOCK
GAIN 43 PER CENT
MONTANA'S LIVESTOCK VALUE
JUMPS FROM $94, sos, 900
TO Sf35,71I,OOO
Between 1914 and 1916 Number of
Mich Cows Increases From 1O4,.
600 to 14S,00O, With 0s3, 900 9th
or Cattle; Horses in State Gain
$4,000 I'm Same Period.

o to 14S 900, With 0S3,OO 9th
or Cattle; Horses in State Gain
$4,000 i'm Same Period.
THAT the livestock industry of
Montana is keeping pace with the
growth OF other industries in this
state,' said Charles ID. Greenfield,
commissioner of agriculture and pub
licity, sis shown by some statistics
recently issued by the bureau of crop
estimates of the agricultural depart
ment at Washington. The figures
given cover the years from 1914 to
1916 inclusive and they show that in
the time mentioned the aggregate
value of horses. milch cows. 9th ar
cattle, sheep, swine and mules has
increased from $94,S0S,0OO at the
beginning of 1914 to $135,711,OOO at
the end of 1916. During the period
mentioned there has been a decrease
In the aggregate number of head of
the animals named, of over 100000.
n this decrease in numbers and in
crease in valuation accounts for the
increased price of roasts, steaks,
hams and bacon and other meat BRO
ducts, as we'll as of milk and cream.
In detail the figures are interest
ing. In spite of the fact that the
range lands have been taken up by
farmers to a large extent, and not
w~ithstanding there have been many
statements in the past five years
that the livestock industry in Mon
tana was growing less and less, the
compilations made by the govern
ment experts show that there has
been an increase in the number OF
animals mentioned, in the three year
period, with the sole exception of
sheep.
Decrease in Sheep.
"On January 1, 1914, Montana
was credited with having 4,293.000
head of sheep, and on the first of this
year with 3,744,000, a decrease OF
$4,000. Almost half of this loss
was in 1916, the decrease last year
being 207, 600.
I'm 1914, Montana was credited
with 104, 900 mich cows, and on the
first of January this year with 148,.
900, an increase of $4,000. In 1915
the increase in these animals is esti-
mated by the bureau at $4,000.
"In view of the figures furnished
by the government, the fear thai
Montana would not continue to pro,
duce beef animals is shown not tt
be we'll founded. In 1914 there were
according to the bureau, $4,000 cat.
tie in Montana apart from milct
COWS. At the close OF 1916 this
number had increased to $50, Ii
1916 the increase over 1915 was SO,
900.
while the government does mo-
in it's statistics say anything abou'
the better quality, there is no ques
ton but that in this state the grade
of the cattle has improved in thu
: past three years in proportion will
the number.
Big Increase in Horses.
"In 1914 Montana was credited
with $4,000 horses. Since thei
this state has furnish' d many thou
sand head for the European armies
yet, despite that fact, on the first o
this year it is estimated by the blu
reau that Montana had 452,00'
horses, an increase of $4,000 head
In 1916 the number increased owe
that credited tt the state at the emf
of 1915 by $4,000, the total at tn
beginning of this year being $4,000
"While in the three years fror
1914 to 1917 the number of swim
increased from $4,000 in the frs
year named to 100000 on the frs
of January, 1917, there W. 9 a de
, crease in 1916 compared with 1916
, At the beginning of 1915 Montani
had 298,000 head of swine, and tn
: first of this year 100000.
How Values Have Grown.
"The increase in the value of tn
livestock in Montana is even NOR
= remarkable than the increase i
numbers. For instance, the value O
the horses in the three years has in
creased from $37,944,0O0 to SAL.
$4,000; of milch cows from 81,
$4,000 to $11, 092,0 900; of othe
: cattle from $34,939,00O to $52,197
2 600; of swine from $2,19O,000 t
$3,228,O00. Though the number @
sheep has declined in the three year
: $40, 900 head, the value in that per-
? cd has increased from ~$15,884,O0
to S~26,582,000 at the beginning c
1917.
whether due to the climate or t
the natural antipathy of the majorit
4 of people to mules, the numbe
I of those animals in Montana in 1911
: is no greater than in 1914, the bU
! reau placing it at 1000. Their va,
ne in 1914 was given at $428,OO
and this year it is estimated at 81
s 900 higher"