The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1929-03-29
MONTANA FARM
OUTLOOK, 1929

other college staff members; the
U. S. Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Agricultural Econ
omics; the State-Federal Crop
Reporting Service, Helena; coun-
ty extension agents; farmers
throughout the state; and others
deemed reliable).
Most Montana farm products
are marketed outside the state.
Many enter international trade or
the prices are affected by world
trade conditions. 1t is hoped that
this outlook, covering the prin-
cipal farm products of the state,
will help Montana farmers in ad-
justing their operations to the end
that the farm income may be in
creased.
1t is realized that in many in
stances production adjustments
are impossible, as in the non
irrigated wheat districts. How
ever, even under such circum-
stances a careful consideration of
the market outlook for 1929, and
perhaps longer, should be of help.
ANY forecasts contained in this
outlook report are based upon the
most complete information obtain
able. They are not infallible.
No proper consideration may be
given the outlook for Montana
farm products without surveying
the position of the consumer-buy-
ers, at home and abroad.
The United States Consumer
For five years the level of prices
Of material bought by farmers has
varied but little. Very generally,
the worker in industry has been
regularly employed at a stable
wage. During the same period
the position of Montana farmers
has improved. This improvement,
however, has been much more
pronounced with producers of ami
NAL products than with the pro-
Queer of crops. Nationally the
output of crops for human con-
sumption has increased faster
than the world demand. The con-
sumner, therefore. finds plant pro-
ducts low in price, while animal
products are relatively high.
Most observers are confident
that the present industrial pros
perity will be maintained at least
until midsummer. Many, how
ever, feel that an easing in a num-
Der of industries is due in the next
year or two, not a crisis but a
moderate l%etting-up of activity, in
crease of unemployment, and
some recession in building activi-
ty, upon the assumption that a
moderate react1on may occur IN
the automobile and related indus
tries, and upon the efforts now
being felt of higher interest rates.
ne OTeISn consumer
Conditions in England have
changed but little during 1928.
Registered unemployment is over
the 1900, 900 mark. Unemploy-
ment in Germany is higher than
in England but the industries are
on a sounder basis than at any
thine since the war. Germany
will take increased quantities of
wheat and pork products during
1929. France has staged a spec
tacular comeback and enters the
with virtually no unemploy-
ment. Conditions in Italy are i'm
proving, but new Italian tariff
policies threaten to reduce our
In China conditions are
improving rapidly with the close
Of the prolonged internal strife
and our exports to the Orient in
1929 should rise sharply over those
Of 1928.
In general the Montana grower
may look forward to a year of firm
to easier United States markets,
and a foreign call tending to i'm
prove.
The Long Time View for Wheat
While conditions faced by the
Montana wheat grower appear
more favorable for marketing the
1929 crop than that grown in 1923,
here is no indication that over a
ong period the international COM
oetion will be any less than pre-
rails now. The tractor and the
combine are revolutionizing wheat
production in the great exporting
countries, especially in the United
States, Canada, Argentina, and in
Australia. The last 10 years have
shown a marked upturn in wheat
output in Argentina and Australia
With prospects for a still more
'apid increase. Canadian produc-
ion has risen from 1872, 900, 900
bushels in 1910 to 263, 900, 900
bushels il 1920. and 444, 600, 900
bushels in 1927. Each of these
ears was about average" yield.
The 1928 Canadian wheat crop
vas $50, OOO,O 900 bushels.
With larger acreage of low pric-
d land. the accumulation of cash
II other reserves, proper equip
nent, well-tilled fallow, quality
eed. and able management il is