The Bozeman courier., 1927-10-07

ECENT developments in the milling
- industry have an important bear
IN ing upon the demand for Montana
wheat, says e. j. Bell, Jr., in his
recent bulletin, Larger Markets for
Montana Wheat" issued by the Nom
tana experiment station. The demand
Tor high protein wheat, he continues. has
increased the price spread between
Wheats OF different grades.
Since the supply Of high protein wheat
is somewhat limited, premiums usually
are paid Tor such grain. Montana has
become one OF the principal sources of
strong gluten wheat free from dockage
and the high premiums obtained mar
TALLY onset the long distance to market
The chief demands for Montana wheat
come from ~ terminal markets in. Min
neapol1s and Duluth, (2) local mills in
this and other spring wheat states, (3)
mills IN the white wheat area of the
Pacific slope, and (4) interior mills in the
sCft red winter wheat belt.
Terminal Markets-The Minneapolis
market still draws most of the Montana
wheat crop although some slight shifts
are taking place. Large mills and ele-
Vator companies are the chief buyers and
sellers, and practically all high quality
wheat is used in mixing to raise the
standard Of the large amounts of low
protein grain from other sections. VERY
little unmtxed Montana wheat leaves this
market because of the demand by nilIers
/ anu IeTH1nSn elevators that need it foI
their mixing operations.
| Local Mi1ls-AGills in Montana anc
other spring wheat states are runnine
Just about to capacity and probably can.
not be expected to enlarge their procuc.
ton to any great extent. Much of The
flour produced by interior mills in higE
protein areas is not used by itself but Il
blended with other flours for bread-mak
ing.
i Pacific Slope-A study of railroad ship
mentS show that mills on the Pacifi,
slope have purchased large amounts o
Montana wheat during years when th
quality on their usual supply was low
The demand in this direction possibl,
might be increased in the future, al
though 1T has huctuated CONSIDERABLE
during the past few seasons. A NOR
favorable freight rate to Californi
through Utah markets would aid ma
terially in opening this western market
according to some authorities.
Soft Red Winter Belt-MilIs near iarg
supplies Of soft red winter wheat seem t
be increasing their operations. This de
velopment may be expected where a sup
! ply OF cheap wheat is found near larg
centers Of population. 1t is also an ad
vantage for the mill to be located near
large market for bran, shorts and othe
by-products Of the millings process. Q
course, chap power is a very inportan
item.
These conditions are found in severe
localities and are present in their mos
. desirable combination near the easter
: Great Lakes and certain Atlantic coas
+ states. Trends in millings indicate the
milled at Buffalo, Erie and nearby LAX
an increasing amount of wheat is bein
n ports. Since 1920, as shown by an analy
: sis Of railroad records, more shipment
;. OF Montana wheat have been going
c lake ports for the eastern markets an
{ less to Twin City terminals for millin
= There also has been an increase in shil
! ments to the Pacific coast, althoug
n these fell of slightly in 1925.
Since the center OF the milling indus
- try seems to be changing and since ce
tain mills in the soft wheat areas a
e becoming interested in the particul
kind Of wheat that Montana produce
d Montana wheat growers may we'll gain
e direct benefit from studies of new mari
n keting possibilities. The situation m;
y offer Particular opportunity to cooper
tive marketing associations since such o
i, ganizations are in position to supp
er grain Of uniform quality, high prote
IS content and sufficient quantity to me
ID the demands of special markets.