Montana farmer-stockman., 1953-04-15

Flsyansaaas. mImmIZIILIMHHM
LOWER ANIMAL VALUES plus some decline in numbers
ago level BAE reports Aggregate value Of stoe livestock
poultry jon 1913 5000 down 81 per cent from $500
poultry numbers declined during year. reached
otime high result of beef bud-up hos
Oo3ooO beet cattle III 900 head than year eorer
Other totals Sheep OOO milk cows IL Ooo hogs 13o
600; horses, $4,000: Chickens l7l4ooo turkeys $4,000
LACK OF INTEREST retaining breeding stock coused sheep
PoPuouon decline otter increases previous two Eve ob
numbers dropped 81 cent during Stock sheep were
worth only 50 per cent Of Jon 1882 voue heed Hog
ho6er $4,000 less hon ogo at lowest point since
l939 Prospects for further reductions through 1883 Milk
COW population dropoed for 10th straight yeor Numbers
sharp decline thot started lost in 1914
EcokoNic ACTIVITY SHOWS little indication of weakening
next few months at eost Recodhgh foctory production hos
been absorbed by ocve moret Nationally retol soles
hove been at peak levels in last few months. Market
for building materials ntoy items heavy industrial equip
ment autos, other durable goods hos been strong To og
culture this means consumer dollar income demand should
stay relatively high
this year. USDA Pooto stocks Jon we're up per
over year o9o Govenment Potoo program of few
$4,000 more in potatoes this year than lost In Montono
formers soy they will no 9ont 1900 ocres from 1890
lower prices.
SIGNS POINT TOWARD favorable barley market this fol
USOA reports formers intend plant about barley acreage
hIs yeor as last And lost years crop was smallest produced
70 years. with little likely increase in competitive feed grain
production Even if outlook for other feed grains changes gov
eminent support progrom puts floor under barley prices IS
cent of Pory National average price 81 "a per bushe
GIVE YOUR PASTURES chance grow this spring before
9ozn9 starts Some range wos badly overeozed last
lett unprotected went winter Most gross drouh-
weakened and without Let build up strength this
spring by delaying erozng other good range management
PRACTICES
SCHOOL OPERATING COSTS per pupil in Montono eIemen-
tory secondary school increased again during 1882 year,
Montana Iooers Assn reports Statewide overoge cost per
pupil $685. up $2Q 81 from year previous Only Deer
Lodge Choeou Tooe counties reduced expenditures during
the period teachers soores Of supplies forced
Oveo Prorie County cost pupil lowest in stoe Flot
head Lincoln BeoVerheod Sweet Grass counties also low
Judith Bosn County spent per pupil with Lewis and Clark
Valley Chouteou, Powder River counties in top five
TENANT OPERATED FARMS in Montana are decreasing
Number has dropped Sc per since 1910 Now only l47
cent of all farms in state operated by tenants compared
with III per in 1910 Though proportion of farm
ship higher today than for IS years more total form
mortgage debt Ninth Federal Reserve District substantially
below 1910 level Reduction of tenancy in other Ninth District
through o405O period 81 per in North Dokoto
48 per cent in South Dokoto AZ cent in Minnesota.
FARM DEBT LOAD is low in relation to current and fixed
assets BAE reports Agriculture is in relatively sound position
with considerable cushion of protection form income turns
slightly unovoobe during year. Esmoted total form
assets in this country JAM 1883, we're 1872 billion dollars