The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1929-10-18
STATE COLLEGE
WEEKLY LETTER
Shifting to Livestock

Bozeman, Oct. 15.-The FREEDOM
mating interest of farmers o.
Prairie county is shifting from
crops to livestock if the requests
for information at the affice OF
the county extension agent, Gro
yer E. Lewis, is taken as an indi-
cation.
In one month in 1927 there were
81 calls upon the county agent for
information. In July, of the pres
ent year there were 146 calls. Two
years ago As per cent of the calls
had to do with crops and some
thing over 80 per cent with live
stock, dairying and poultry. and
again more than 80 per cent dealt
with livestock, dairying and poult-
~.
From a review of the office calls
an increased interest in agricul-
tural economics also is apparent.
Two years ago only n per cent
of the farmers who visited the ex-
tension agent asked for economic
information: this year nearly 10
per cen of the calls had to do
with some phase Of marketing or
other economic subject.
The interest in livestock is re-
Elected in the activities of coop
erative marketing organizations
in the country. In the past five
or six years livestock valued at
more than a million dollars has
been sold through cooperative or
CARNATIONS.
Interest in alfalfa seed produc-
ton also is increasing. Approx
mately 1000 acres were devoted
to this crop in 1929. This interest
is attributed to the fact that con-
ditions in many parts of the coun-
try are particularly favorable for
the production of high quality
seed, and to the fact that the cen
tralized production of a quality
crop under careful inspection and
supervision has made it possible
to establish efficient systems.
The developments in Prairie
county are strictly in line with
the recommendations on the agri-
cultural economic conference held
at Miles City in 1927. For areas in
eastern Montana where conditions
are similar to those in Prairie
county it was agreed that live
stock should be the foundation of
sound farming systems and par
ticular attention should be devot-
ed to the production of specialized
crops such as alfalfa seed.
Grading Turkeys
Turkey growers of Montana
next spring will be able to buy
their Matching eggs and breeding
stock according to grade and a
definite system Of breed improve
ment will be underway, according
TO plans made at a meeting Of tur-
key growers held at Helena re-
Gently. At the meeting an a~ssocia-
ton of turkey growers was form
ed as a division of the Montana
State Poultry association. H. P.
of Bozeman was elected
president and Mrs. Jesse Bradley
of Bozeman, secretary-treasurer.
Turkey growers Of the state
who join the organization will
have their breeding flocks regular.
" inspected by licensed judges Of
the American Poultry association
and the growers will be designat-
ed as r. o. NJ. (register of merit)
turkey breeders.
The system adopted is similar
10 that in use in Alberta, Canada,
the poultry commissioner OF that
province. G. NJ. Cormie, being at
the Helena meeting TO assist with
the launching Of the movement in
Montana.
Breeding flocks to qualify for
the register Of merit must main
tain high standards Of vigor, vi
tally and market requirements.
Grades will be based upon the fac
tors established by the American
Poultry association in the Ameri-
can Standard Of Perfection.
Work OF the organization will
start at once. Breeders who wish
their flocks inspected should send
in their applications for inspection
to the secretary of the association
before November 80. The work Of
inspection will be started at once
so that R. o. M. eggs and breed