The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-03-12
Montana ''Farm Outlook
Shows Good 20 Prospects

narrowing is anticipated, it is cOnsid-
cred that the increase will not be
great enough to affect prices mater
tally. During the past year the
states of North and South Dakota and
Nebraska shipped almost $4,000 hogs
to the Spokane and Portland markets,
and the province of Alberta supplied
about an equal amount. This would
indicate that there is still room for
some expansion in Montana for sup
plying western markets.
The Cattle Industry
Beef cattle may be expected to
show a slow increase in returns. The
gains that were made in beef prices
last year were mostly in the finished
grades and Montana range and grass
fed, stock. did not participate in these
gains to any great extent, but the
general trend Of the market is up
ward and will likely continue that
way in 1926. It is significant that
the number of steers in the country
is approximately 300, 900 less than
in 1920 and the number of beef COWS
l2.5OO,OOO less. There has been some
gain in dairy stock, however, and
SluC6 Lul5. - a OOuAC0 VI 0COA o0PRAg ,
the reduction in beef cattle is not all
gain for the cattlemen. Increase in
beef cattle is not advocated since the
potential supply is about equal to the
demand. The fact that pork is high
Rand is likely to remain high is an
other factor indicating the mainten-
lance of the present upward trend IN
beef prices since competition with
pork is reduced by the present price
situation.
Sheep Industry Good
+ . Sheep have shown a material in
crease but the wool supply is still
considerably below domestic demand.
Wool prices have shown a decrease in
recent months and lamb and mutton
prices have shown a similar move
ment. The sheep situation appears
slightly less favorable than at this
time last year but there does not APP
pear any great likelihood of mater
ial changes. The National Out.
look states that Facts justify the
belief that 1926 will be a good yeal
for the sheep industry, though no
quite as favorable as 1926"
..... Cash Crops
AS Is always Tic CdSGg the Late y
cash crops depends largely UpOl
weather conditions during the grow
ing season Certain factors now ap
parent, do not look altogether ia
vOrable. Montana wheat grower
have enjoyed an advantage owe
wheat growers of most other state
because of the high protein conten
of the spring wheat grown here. Pre-
miums have been paid for this whea
because there has been a natiOna
shortage of protein and mills hav
had to bring in a small supply of thi
=. high protein wheat from Canada OJ
er the high tariff wall to satisfy thei
demands. Last spring saw a Is pc
= cent increase in spring wheat acre
= age in the northwestern states bJ
the low per acre yield held prOdut
ton down to the point where grower
still got a premium. If the same a,
reage is planted this spring and a
average yield is obtained the cOuntI
may have a surplus of high prOtei
wheat and this would mean that I
premium would be paid. The sit1
alton has reached the point whel
the acreage is such that a surplus
hard spring wheat may be obtained
any time.
The flax picture is not altogethI
bright. Argentine has just harves
ed a record-breaking crop and tn
has sent the world flax price dow
ward. Industrial conditions in E
rOpean countries, while improvin
cannOt be expected to absorb the sU
plus flax rapidly enough and the a
gentine crop is likely to prove a d
pressing factor on world markets
least for the first half of the year.
course, United States flax grove
are protected by a tariff, which W
give them a fair margin above VOL
prices as long as this country prOdJ
es less than enough to meet dOmes
requirements. Whether the prese
domestic demand for flax will he
up throughout the year is profile
attic. Business economists are /
a ginning to hint at. slow up in bui
ing operations and a possible decIi
in certain other basic industr
m which influence flax demand. He
ever, the let down is not expected
- come until after the first half of
present year and flax production t
-year is not expected to be in excess
domestic demand, providing farm
do not increase their acreage O.
last year. The nation used apprC
mately 100000 bushels Of f
last year and the domestic product
was approximately 100000 bu