The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-10
Montana's Wheat Production

Production and value Of wheat in Mon
tana has shown a tremendous Development
in the past 20 years. From a production
of about 4,000,000 bushels in 1907, worth
about 100000 the crop has exceeded 90
COG, 600 bushels on two occasions, 1872 and
1924, and on three occasions, 1916, 1918 and
1924, has exceeded a valuation of $6O,OOO,-
600. The present 1926 crop will not rank
far below these high records in valuation
as now placed at little more than $55,OOO,-
600.
The trend of production is still upward,
although there has been some fluctuatiOn
in recent years and the average annual val
ne of the past three years exceeds that of
any preceding period, including the wal
period when high prices prevailed.
Average
Period Annual Value.
1924-1926 More $50, 000, 600
1920-1923 About ------.-----.------------- 3S,OOO,OO0
1915-I919 About ----..----..---.---.-.. 100000
191O-1914 Less han--..---------. 2O,OOO,OOO
1907 1912 Less an....---.....- 1O,OOO,OOO
Average Multiplied
In this connection it is significant that
while the average acreage of wheat per
farmer growing wheat in 1909 was 81 acres,
this average has steadily mounted, reaching
about 81 acres in 1918; los acres In 1873 and
passing $50 acres in 1926.
This does not mean that Montana farm
ers are increasing their wheat acreage at
the expense Of other crops. DiverSlficatlOn
of farm enterprise in Montana has made
the biggest development in the past 10
years. Corn, feed grains, hay, beans, seed
peas alfalfa seed sugar beets honey pOul-
try products butterfat and dairy products
have all, during this period, reached the
highest points in the state records Of their
production.
er, as indicated by this situation, is the
answer to which the last federal census
of agriculture taken in 1924 contributes this
significant data: FOrty-six thousand nine
hundred and one farmers in 1924 were OPP
Grating an average Of 69S.1 acres compared
with an average of 6OS.1 acres handled by
57,677 farmers in 1920.
' MOntana's chief competitive advantage
lies in her relatively low priced lands, en-
| abling her to maintain and then increase
her war acreage of grain even at a lower
price levels while competing states, with a
high war initiation of values and slow re-
~cessiOn of these levels, were forced to re-
duce their grain acreage.
As MOntana'S chief cash crop, wheat, not
only yields we'll under good growing con-
ditiOns and good tillage practices, but also
has a high milling quality That
premiums over wheat grown In Other states
Development Of MOntana's wheat lands
will come with the general settlement and
development of the state.
While supplemented by a growing in
come from other crop sources, the income
from wheat will continue for many years tC
be a dominant factor in the welfare of the
state.
January and February of 1926 were the
warmest of thees months in weather bur
eau records for Montana. Both months
were below normal in precipitation. Marcel
mean temperature was exceeded only si1
times in these records and precipitation fel
below normal in the state average.
Some start of spring blowing was mad
in February and considerable was accom-
Dlished in March, marking a very earl!
start Of these operations. Heavy winds OF
March % to March % did considerable
damage to winter wheat, by soil blowing
particularly in the important Judith basil
area and south central counties.
April, like March, was above normal il
Temperature and the average precipitation
Twas the lightesS on record, with the
eastern third Of the state averaging les
than a quarter of IN inch.
May temperatures continued to averag
well above normal and precipitation, ex
Icept in Central and South Central Mon
tana, was decidedly below normal.
Although favorable for blowing an
seeding where soil moisture was sufficieni
S the seasons excess of temperatures an
S deficiency Of moisture to the end of May
j resulted in a spotted drOuth situation tina
reduced condition Of growing crops o.
s June 1, to point well below average, il
{ the eastern third Of the state and hal
= already made some inrOadS on prospect
in the central and western third, wher
better soil reserves Of winter mOistur
= had helped offset the dry spring.
4 The first the days OF June witnessed
! continuation Of the drouth, but beginnin
e with the 9th and 10th east Of the cOntin
e entail divide and the 18th west of the di
vide,. a period Of wet weather set in tina