The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1922-03-08
DAIRYING IN

Dairying In Montana is gradually developing
into such Importance as will give to it a high
standing in the catalog of wealth producing IN
dustries of the state. Without attracting very
much attention among those not interested in
agricultural pursuits, it has become a really i'm
portant cash business. The farmer turns the pro-
duct into real money without any delay Of time.
One feature bearing upon the dairy business,
one that has been a stimulus which urged many
farmers to take up milking COWS, has been the
poor crop conditions in the state for the past few
years. It is a noticeable fact that when grain
growing is not profitable, dairy products increase.
The farmer takes to milking COWS TO sell the
products as a means of bringing in ready cash
upon which to live during the depression in grain
products. Usually the start is made with one or
two COWS, then if the farmer appreciates the pos
sibilities in the business more mixers are added
and soon a real dairy superceeds the grain farm.
In various sections of Montana this has been
one of the means of keeping farmers from giving
up the farm during the hard times. 1t has en-
abled them to keep going, and placed them where
they are doing q diversified farming, profitable to
themselves while increasing their resources.
Improving the present dairying condition
throughout the state is now the aim of the State
Dairymen Association. At the meeting of dairy
men recently held in Bozeman, many matters were
discussed, necessary in order that the dairy in
dustry may be brought to a full realization Of it's
possibilities. Among these of most Importance
which must be given immediate attention is i'm
proving the her. Much Of the dairy stock used
at the present time does not come up to the stand
ard of even grade cows. These must be weeded
out. Testing associations should be organized in
districts, so that the dairyman may know just
what the COWS are doing and the drOnes removed
Herds should be built up by use of registered
sires, after a careful selection has been made
whereby all but profitable milk producers have
been disposed of. This can be done, without q
large expenditure being necessary for the indi
vidual dairyman, through the forming of districts
Each district can combine in the purchase of 3
registered sire of such breed as the district de-
sires, the sire to be maintained at some centra
location in the district. In this manner a district
will develop a distinct breed of dairy stock which
will add to the intrinsic value Of the herd as vel
as increasing the production.
There are other matters of Importance which
will require adjusting. Among these in particu
lar, is the enforcing of laws regulating the pric,
of butter fat, throughout the state. Under tn
law it is required that associations in the bushes
of buying butter fat at all points in the state, mus
pay the same price at all receiving stations
Claims are made by dairymen that this is not tn
present case. If it i true that there is a discrin
nation made at different points, prosecution III
der the law should follow.
The state dairy commissioner has not the a.
sistance or funds required for the proper conduC
of his department. Legislation should be secure
at the next session of the legislature, c~orrectir
this condition. Means should be provided for i
Spection of diaries, and some notifications in IL
license law should be made. With the Insult
cient funds now available, it is impossible to gf
the necessary attention to the dairy laws while
the dairy commissioner wishes to enforce. Han
icaped in this manner no assistance can be er