The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-04-23
MONTANA CROP
REPORT FOR APRIL

WntdLy Iyt AL 6OOd IOAQltlOUs Ill uu
satisfactory farm labor situation, and
a large reduction In the number OF
breeding sows are shown in the April
Crop Report for Montana issued by
F. w. Boior, Montana Field Agent for
the United States Bureau of Crop
Estimates.
Winter Wheat
The winter wheat outlook for Mon
tana shows an Improvement over last
fall and the lack of moisture at seed
ing time ha been followed by suffi-
cient to produce condition S3 per
cent of normal compared with 81 per
cent one year ago and two year av-
erage of 95 per cent. The condition
on December 1, 1919 was 80 per cent
compared with two year average of
94 per cent Little damage has been
found and a few reports of limited
areas that have suffered from winter
killing and other damage in the CEN
trail and North central parts of the
state have been received, The condi.
tion at this time forecasts yield of
100000 bushels. The acreage sown
last fall Is estimated at 425,000 acres
compared with 6O5,000 acre in the fall
of 1918. Considering the condition at
seeding time last fall, it can be safe
ly stated that winter wheat has sur
vived the winter in condition far
beyond expectations and should Mon
tana be favored with good moisture
condition this seaon the crop will
no doubt be good.
The winter wheat outlook for the
United States is less encouraging
with a condition of 1876 per cent COM
pared with 99.S per cent one year ago
and ton year average of 84.1 per
cent. The forecasted yield for the
United States is 483,617,000 bushels
compared with an estimated produc-
ton 51,636,000 bushels in 1919 and
565, ,099, 900 bushels in 1918. The acre
age sown in the fall of 1919 was 49,
100000 acres compared with 50,489,000 |
in the fall of 1918.
The condition of rye is estimated |
at SO per cent of normal compared |
with go per cent one year ago and |
ton year average of 95 per cent. The !
forecasted production of rye is 1,041,-
600 bushels based on an estimated |
planted acreage of $4,000 acres.
FARM LABOR
Reports from all counties in the
state show that the farm labor sit
uation is unsatisfactory. The supply
of farm labor is estimated to be IS
per cent Of last year and IA per cent
of normal. The demand for fasm labor
is estimated to be 80 per cent of last
year and 81 per cent Of normal. With
the shortage of farm labor and the
high wages, there seems to have de-
veloped a feeling among the farmers
they can afford to plant only such
acreages as can be handled by them
selves and with the assistance of their
neighbors. The whole outlook tends
toward conservation farming since the
farmer feels that the present condi-
ton will not result in reasonable
profit after taking into consideration
he expense of operating his farm and
he work of himself and family.
The farm labor situated for the en-
ire United States reflects shortage
md a heavy demand. The supply of
arm labor is estimated to be 873 pes !
,ent of last year and 72. per cent of
lormal The demand is estimated at
1877 per cent of one year ago and 1853
Ter cent of normal bt
Breeding Sows
The number of breeding sows on the
arms in Montana show serious re-
uction and is estimated at 70 per cent
t the number on hand one year ago
nd but 81 per cent of the usual num- |,
er. This seducation seems to be the r
esult of high feed and tendency to e
ell breeding sows when prices were O
Ugh. f
The number of breeding sows in the g
United States is estimated to be 90.1 t,
er cent of the number held one year d
go. d
General Conditions ii
The month of March was cool with d.
considerable rain and snow resulting
/ a good moisture condition a delay fe
/ spring plowing and seeding. The IL
nowfall for irrigation is about normal in
rass started slowly and some suffer
lg and losses of livestock was report fc
/. The delay in the opening of spring in
aused heavy feeding of the limited th
lpply of hay and heavy demand re- OF
llted and since there was tendency of
Dot to place orders. fo