The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-05-02
MONTANA WEATHER
and CROP REPORT

Winter wheat in the state is in
much better shape than a year ago,
and is apparently beginning the sum-
mer growth under quite favorable
conditions, while prospects for rye
are less favorable, but still much bet
ter than in the spring of 1928, as
shown in the April crop report issued
bv Geo. A. Scott, Of Montana Coop
erative Crop Reporting Service. The
number of breeding sOWs on hand IN
the state exceeds the number last
spring by a large margin. Soil mOis
ture conditions are mere satisfactory
than usual in most districts, and 1T
appears that farmers will generally
get an earlier start with field work
than they have for the last two years,
which will partially relieve the handi-
cap of the adverse farm labor sltua-
ton.
Winter Wheat
Prospects for winter wheat lock en-
couraging with the crop having a
condition rating of SO. The condition
last December 1, was 90, a year ago
it was Il, and the ten-year average
an April has been 85. 1t is little
difficult to determine the exact con-
dition of many fields, especially since
there was so much snow in March.
Much of the area was needed late
last fall, but soil moisture conditions
were quite favorable in the principal
counties. Snow covering has been
very light over most Of the fields dur
ing the past winter, and there has
been a great deal of alternate thaw-
ing and freezing, and little injury
from soil blowing; but the apparent
total injury to the crop has not beer
serious. Freezing and thawing IL
March was considered unfavorable
although most of the fields were IN
der a blanket of wet snow during
greater part of the month and it i
probable that the benefit of he adj
diional moisture will more than com
pensate for the injury sustained il
March.
Rye.
The condition of rye on April i
So per cent of normal, compared to 8
last December, to 70 a year ago, an
to 80, the average for the ten-yea
period on April 1. Rye was seede
last fall under less favorable condi
tions generally than winter wheat, eS
pecially in the northern countie,
where it is dry and much seed did nc
sprout until recent weeks. The wiz
ter has not been favorable until tn
March SHOWS came, which were yer
beneficial. Stands are expected to- /
uneven. Rye has been all but dis
continued as a cash crop, due to ii
very low market prices for the pa.
three years.
Breeding SOws
The number of breeding sows
the state is estimated at $4,000 con
pared to $4,000 a year ago, and 34,0(
in the spring of 1921. This is an
per cent increase over last year. III
most pronounced increase in hogs
in the corn-growing counties, parti
ularly the eastern counties. In Il
irrigated sections Of the mountainol
districts the Increase is apparent
small, with reports indicating d
creases in some localities. Althoul
market price for hogs have not be-
satisfactory, many farmers have be,
able to market their corn and 9th
feeds through hogs, with a SIN;
margin profit The cold wet wealth
through March caused some loss
aiming opAAlS pigs
Farm Labor.
Both the supply and the demand
Farm Labor are below normal. T
supply, expressed as a per cent of q
mand. is SO, compared to 90 last We;
and to 1877, 157, IS, and 81, for APP
LIST of the years 1922 '21-20-19 !
spectively. The farm SAILOR situati
in the state is a serious one, as
many farmers do not have the mon
to hire necessary help. Then t.
much of the floating type Of Lab
has proved to be very -4nefficie
Wages in terms of farm products {