The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-06-20
MONT. CROP RE-
PORT FOR JUNE.

A total wheat crop of 48,852,OO bu-
shells fcrcasted from condition of
spring and winter wheats on June 1,
a two per cent reduction in the
acreage of spring wheat from last
year, substantial increases in the
.acreages of oats, barley. and tame
hays, and larger total acreage in
crops than last year, are shown in the
June crop report issued today by
George A. Scott, of the Montana
Crop Reporting Service. The increas-
ed total crop acreage this year is ac-
counted for by a smaller reduction
of spring wheat acreage than antici-
pated earlier, by light abandonment
of winter wheat acreage this spring,
considerable breaking of new ground
fer flax, the greatly increased acrea-
ges devoted to corn, hay, and other
feed crops, while all reliable sources
Of information show that Montana
farmers are handling larger crop
acreages. The forecasts of prOduc-
ton of wheat, oats, barley, and rye
are based upon their condition on
June 1, but cOpiOuS rains since, have
vastly improved crop prospects.
Acreage estimates and first forecasts
for tame hay. corn, flax, potatoes
and beans are not made until July l.
Winter Wheat
A production of 12,724,000 bushels
OF winter wheat is forecasted from g
condition of SO on June l, compared
with last years crop of 12,546,000 bu-
shells, and the 1923 five year aver
age of 9,516,00O bushels. The cOndi.
ton dropped two points during May
due to injury from dry weather in al
/ the western and north central cOun
ties. Winter wheat prospects art
/ generally very good, as stands ar
heavy. -
Spring Wheat
Montana farmers have seeded 2,
1914 acres Of spring wheat, which
is only $4,000 acres less than las
year. The average acreage for tn
/ 5-year period 1923 has been abou
3,087,00O acres. From a condition 0
SO per cent of normal on June 1,
production of 36,128,000 bushels
forecasted The production of sprin
wheat was estimated to be 100000
bushels in 1923, 41,040,000 bushels i
1922, and 30,990,000 bushels, the
year average-1919-23. AlthOUg
Montana farmers are growing large
. acreages Of feed crops each year, an
more flax this year. they are appal
entity not reducing the wheat acreag
propcrtionately but are putting in La
ger acreages per farm. The sprin
wheat acreage has evidently increase
/ over last wear in several counties an
, many localities, mainly in the wes+
ern part of the north central distric
in Flathead and Fergus counties, an
in some other localities where the WI
ter wheat acreage was reduced. Win
: ter wheat was seeded at the eXpenS
of some spring wheat in eastern ccul
ties, but the total area thus involve
is no large. Seeding of spring whe;
has been very late this year, extenC
= ing into June in many sections, bl
J field work was scarcely lnterrupte
I during the dry May. Early SOW
fields generally showed coed stanC
I on June /, but germanatlOn was spo
! ted in many Of the western and mort
central counties because Of dry so.
However, recent heavy rains insul
S rapid termination and growth. IN
7 cold spring has not been regarded
: unfavOlable to spring wheat.
n Duran Varieties
About three per cent of the tot
K spring wheat acreage this year is
K durum varieties, or about 82,I
acres. The acreage last year WI
n 10000 and in 1922 was 279,000. U
K satisfactory prices for durum accoU
for the small acreage.
All Wheat
The combined spring and whit
q wheat area in Montana is 3,498,O
i acres, or $4,000 less than for 192
June 1 conditions indicated a prObat
o production Of 48,852,000 bushels
: wheat, compared to the estimat
h production last year of 52,486,O0O b
+ shells, and he Swear average--1919-
of 4O,506,000 bushels,
a Oats
, The area seeded to oats this We
If in Montana is estimated at 1900
acres. of a Z per cent increase on
g last year. The average for the 49,
E % (5-year) period was $4,000 acr
)r The condition rating Of sc on June
forecasts a probable production Of 2
le 743, 900 bushels, compared with 2