The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1921-08-24
HAY AND FREIGHT RATES

A special freight rate on hay has been grant
ed the Milk River district point to the Twin
cities by the Great Northern railway. This will
mean the farmers who have an unusually large
crop of alfalfa and timothy will try to get their
product to the market and make profit out of
it. The Northern Pacific has granted special
rate of eight dollars ton on hay to the Pacific
Coast Points which is about on even basis
with that of 5000 just made by the Great
Northern.
Investigation of the situation in this vicinity
seems to indicate that the freight rate is not yet
at point that will allow the producer a profit
commensurate with the amount of labor neces-
sary The expense attached to baihng and load
ing hay together with that of raising and harvest
ing the crop would when the present freight rate
is paid leave so small margin for the farmer
that there is no incentive to him to dispose of it.
With the present price of alfalfa at the twin
cities and at the coast points, the margin is so
small for the grower that it is hard to see If
the rate was placed at least two dollars less than
it is now, there would then be some inducement
for the shipping out OF all the surplus now in the
valley AS it is now it would seem that about
would be the exercise derived in putting it up
And the farmer gets all that ne cares for every
year SO the outlook is not very cheerful for him.
What he wants to see is the profits just the same
as is looked for in every other line of business
Could the railroads see it in the light of
making ii possible for the farmer to ship his hay
to a market where he could sell it, and come out
with a reasonable margin in his favor. there is
no doubt but that there would be several hundred
car loads shipped from BOzeman and other points
in the valley. The rate should be reduced to
point that leaves no doubt of the return to the
farmer. Today in figuring the return per ton
Of a car of alfalfa, it is not possible to take the
top price as a basis. The selling price must be
figured from the point of a competing market
and the quality of the hay. There should be no
doubt as to alfalfa in this district being of as
good OF better quality as that found in any mar
ket, yet there is always the loss of weight and
other items to be taken into consideration at
the selling point.
Another reason entering into the feature of
a lower freight rate on alfalfa and timothy to
market points is the fact that stock cannot be
shipped here and fed at a profit The cost of
feeders is such that by the time farmer shipped
then into the valley they would be too great an
investment for him to feed the hay to- Then too
the marketing OF the stock would not bring any
return worth the labor and time necessary in
caring for the stock and feeding the hay. 1t is
hard life jut now for the hay farmer.
Meeting the situation as it now exists will
bring to the producers of the valley many dollars
which are needed to care for the seasons expenses
Ii the hay cannot be shipped SO that profit car
De made tneIc Q sending it out. This viii
mean thousa*:' of hay will remain I'm
sold this wear and : .en the next crop come,
along thelc vii b of old hay that will no
be worth .nything. the light of the view
OF the farmer, he mig, ust as well let it spoi
in the field as to 90 10 expense and labor O
bailing It and hauling it the cars shipping
to market and be on, his ne and money. If
spolls in the field he at st, is not out extr
money. By all means some ing should be don
to secure better freight -2te on hay to tn
market points.