Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-04-06
TREASURE STATE FARM AND LIVESTOCK
Should Avoid
Plunging9 Says Outlook

are about $500 medium sized tractors.
5000 duckfoot cultivators and $500 COM
bines already on the farms with a prob
able further increase of all Of these i'm
plements during the season. perhaps to
the point Of over-expansion: that there
are larger supplies than usual Of certi-
fed and approved seed; that there are
about three per cent less cattle. three
per cent more sheep and 10 per cent
more hogs.
With the increased acreage of winter
wheat and a probable increase Of spring
wheat. wheat price prospects for the COM
ing season are not altogether favorable,
the Outlook indicates. Wheat growers
are advised to hold production costs
down to the lowest possible point and to
make every effort to get the fullest bene-
fit of the possibilities for quality pro-
duction. Those who were unable to make
a profit from wheat last year are urged
TO grow other crops.
Flax again appears to be one Of the
best crops TO substitute for wheat where
such substitution is necessary in areas
where flax can be grown to advantage.
Montana had a As per cent greater flax
acreage last year than the year before
but national production still was far be-
low domestic requirements. Under the
conditions it seems hardly possible to
increase production beyond the point of
national consumption this year which
practically assures that the accent tar
if again will be operative to raise do
nestle flax prices above the world mar
ket level. Low cost flax harvesting
methods through the use Of combine
have been worked out in the
state. Flax-wheat mixtures have proved
valuable on certain irrigated lands.
Growers are urged to plant fax early
since rarely does the late planted crop
return profitable yields. The Extension
duction which may be obtained from the
county agricultural agents or from the
Montana Extension service, Bozeman.
Oats, barley and corn have an unfa-
vorable outlook from a cash crop stand
point and therefore their production
must depend largely upon the facilities
for turning them into cash through live
stock. In some areas an increase in live
stock feeding operations would be advis-
able II feed crop acreages should be in
creased in proportion. Since high quail
ity oats for cereal manufacture brought
a 30-cent premium over the regular mar
price last year. 1T would appear that
there is opportunity for cereal oat pro-
in some of the higher mountain
valleys where the quality of the grain is
particularly high. The gradual improve
ment of corn production and harvesting
methods which make possible large acre
ages at low cost give this crop a place Of
ever increasing Importance In many parts
of the state.
Montana had a bumper hay crop last
year and went into the winter with a
cffpply than r1crtaI Eauzaxo~ +t1
long feeding period has greatly reduced
tie more than normal. While present
hay acreage appears to be sufficient for
all ordinary needs, attention again is
called to the need for building up ade-
quate reserves.
Providing satisfactory contracts can be
made with sugar companies, the G
beet acreage may well be increased in
most areas of the state where the crop
can be grown and marketed. Sugar
beets are an important link in the rota-
lions on irrigated land and from this
standpoint, sugar factories, which pro-
vide a market for the crop, are important
assets. Every effort should be made to
provide enough acreage to keep such fac
tories operating efficiently. The acreage
should be increased in northern Montana
ana sugar beets should be given a prom
inent place in the farming systems of
western Montana where O new factory
will be in operation next fall.
The outlook for beans is still doubtful
although the Great Northern variety
which is grown in Montana is continuing
to meet a strong market demand. 1t is
predicted hat another heavy increase in
this variety will depress the market. Po-
tato growers throughout the country are
planning a large acreage which, If yields
are normal, will result In continued low
Increased prices for horses and mules
may provide an opportunity for farmers
to breed their best work mares and raise
horses as a sideline. Beef prices are ex-
pected to remain favorable and more
stable than last year providing no seri-
ous foreign competition is encountered.
The hog situation indicates a continu-
ance of low prices at least until next
winter. The wool outlook is good and q
lamb crop due to unfavorable
weather at breeding time last fall is ex-
pected to bring about a continuance of
good times for the sheep man. Little
change is looked for in dairy and poul-
try production.