The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-03-04
100 AT MILES CITY
CONFERENCE
(FrOm Montana State COllege)

THE first of the district agricul-
tural economic conferences to be
\ held in Montana this year, was
held at Miles City, February 1916,
with G. G. COnser of Plevna, presfd-
ing as chairman. More than 100
farmers and business men Of seven
southeastern Montana counties were
present at the meeting and took part
in drawing up commodity reports
and recommendations which form the
basis of an agriculture program for
the dryland of the district.
One Of the significant actions OF the con-
ference was the unanimous passage of a
resolution asking congress to remove the
name Montana" from the pending seed
loan bill. 1t was agreed that southeastern
Montana farmers do not need outside aid
in helping to finance the coming seasons
farming operations. Even in sections most
affected by the drOuth of 1926, either farm
ers themselves are in sufficiently sound
wants or fnancial conditions in the dis
trict are such that all local needs can be
cared for through existing agencies.
Livestock producers Of southeastern Mon
tana were unanimous in their opinion that
some means must be found to bring aban-
dOned homestead land back into use for
grazing purpose. 1t was agreed that nv
the proper utilization of this land and bv
uldhluS SAdAAuS luuu NdlldDle 10 StOckmpu
in units of sufficient size the live stock in
dustry of this part Of the state would he
greatly aided. The restoration of grazing
land to its former productivity, the utiIi-
cation OF public land and taxation were
other important matters considered by the
stock committee.
1t was agreed that in many parts of
southeastern Montana grain production and
general farming offer good possibilities
providing the units are Of such size as Ia
. permit the most efficient use of pOwer and
equipment. Where livestock is an i'm
portant part of the general farming plan
available grazing areas that can be con-
trOl!ed at low cost is essential in most
sections. Under present conditions the
production Of corn and other feed crops
is necessary for proper wintering.
The report Of the dairy committee
showed that more than 1900 cows arc
being MIXED in southeastern Montana. o.
this number more than 10000 are beef
cows and less than 1000 dairy cows. This
causes a low average production. The pro.
ductiOn of small quantities of cream OF
farms and irregular marketing reduces tn,
quality and price Of butter fat in the dis
trict. 1t was recommended that every eff
fort be made to increase the average pro
ductiOn of cows through the use of better
SireS and that systems of gathering cream
be improved so as to insure a better quaI
ity product and higher returns.
An increased production of Bliss Tri
umph potatoes, both for seed and tabl
was commanded by the horticultural com
mittee. 1t was found that in some sec
lions potato production was not grea
enough to meet local needs. Conditions il
southeastern Montana were reported favor
able for turkey production by the pOultr.
committee and an increase in turkey pro
ductiOn was favored.
A bulletin is now being prepared con
tanning the findings and Recommendation
reported by the different committees a
the Miles City meeting. This bulletin wi
De aVallaDIe 10 every FARMER st0ckman an
business man in southeastern Montana a
a guide to the agricultural development G
this part Of the state. A number of locs
meetings are being arranged to bring tn
munity.