Montana agricultural statistics

100 Pages·2003·3.9 MB·English

by  United States. Agricultural Marketing Service

338.1 MONTANA
2003
A7M
2003
AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS
SWTF
DOCUMENTS
COLLECTION
I.OV I 8 2003
MONTANA STATE UBRARV
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MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
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Montana Agricultural Statistics Districts
Shendan
Lincoln
About the Cover:
A farmer once equated growing hay to growing gold. Hay is an important crop in
Montana. The state ranks 13^*^ nationally in all hay production, and 10'*^ nationally in
alfalfa production. Montana's all hay production for 2002 accounted for 3.1% of U.S. hay
production and alfalfa hay accounted for 4.0% of U.S. alfalfa hay production. In 2002,
the value per acre for all hay was $144, while all wheat was $94 per acre and barley
was $120. Although cash receipts for wheat outpaced the value of hay by almost four
times in 2002, hay was the second leading crop in acreage, outpacing barley, potatoes
and sugar beets. You can see why that farmer felt hay was like growing gold.
The cover photo was taken by Peggy Stringer, State Statistician of the Montana
Agricultural Statistics Office. This hay field is located near Lewistown. Montana.
MontanaAgricultural Statistics2003
MONTANA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
Judy Martz, Governor of Montana
IssuedCooperatively by
Montana Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture
W. Ralph Peck, Director National Agricultural Statistics Service
303 N. Roberts, Room 317 Ron Bosecker, Administrator
Helena, MT 59620 Washington, D.C. 20250
Compiledby
Montana Agricultural Statistics Service
Peggy Stringer, State Statistician
Curtis Lund, Deputy State Statistician
10 West 15" Street, Suite 3100
Helena, MT 59626-3100
[phone] or [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.nass.usda.gov/mt/
Estimates Division
SurveyDivision
ThomasCtiard II
Wendy Brusid Chrlstel PachI
John Gibbons Bonnie Heller
Ron Schumacher Steven HIrsch
EricSlebens Carmen Pennington
GwenStoHz Carol Stefely
Annette Ronnlngen
BillyeVincent JodieSprague
RettaJohnson
Issn: 1095-7278 Volume XL October 2003
Pagel
Foreword
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COUNTYESTIMATES - CROPS
FOREWARD PUNTED, HARVESTED. PRODUCTION & RANKING BYCOUNTY
CommentsfromtheGovernor 3 All Wheat 46
Messagefromthe Director 4 WinterWheat 50
NotesfromtheStateStatistician 4 OtherSpringWheat 54
Durum Wheat 58
GENERAL Barley 60
Montana DepartmentofAgriculture 5 Oats 64
Montana Crop, Livestock, and WeatherDigest 6 Corn 66
Ciimatological Data 7 AlfalfaSeed 67
Montana Factsand Figures 8 Mustard Seed 67
NumberofFarmsand Land in Farms 9 Potatoes 68
CensusofAgriculture, NumberofFarms, Montana 10 Sugar Beets 68
CensusofAgriculture, NumberofFarms byCounty 11 All DryBeans 69
Pinto Beans 69
ECONOMIC Garbanzo Beans 70
IndustryComparisontoAgriculture 12 Lentils 70
ValueAdded tothe US EconomybytheAgricultureSector 13 DryPeas 71
Farm Real EstateValues 14 Austrian WinterPeas 71
Cash ReceiptsfromSaleofPrinicipal Products Flaxseed 72
and Government Payments 14 Safflower 72
Cash Receipts byCounty 15 Sunflower 73
Cash Receipts byCommodities 16 Canola 73
Cash ReceiptChartsfrom MarketingofCommodities 17 All Hay 74
Prices Received forSelected Commodities 18 Alfalfa Hay 76
Average Pricesand Marketingsof MajorCommotidites 20 Grain Hay 78
All Other Hay 80
RANK Wild Hay 82
Montana's Rank inthe Nation'sAgriculture 21 CRPHay 83
Record Highsand Lowsfor Montana Commodities 22 ALLCrops HarvestedAcres 84
WinterWheatand SpringWheat Production Maps 24
Durum Wheatand BarleyProduction Maps 25 STATEESTIMATES - LIVESTOCK
Oats and Alfalfa Hay Production Maps 26 CATTLE&CALVES
Cattle & Calves; Sheep& Lamb Inventory Maps 27 Inventory byClass&Cattleon Feed 85
CalfCropand Disposition 85
STATE ESTIMATES - CROPS Private GrazingFee Rates 85
ACREAGE, PRODUCTION &VALUE Production and Income 85
All Wheat 28 NumberofOperations& PercentofTotal Inventory 86
WinterWheat 29 MilkCowson Farms, Production,and Milkfat 86
OtherSpringWheat 30 SHEEP& LAMBS
DurumWheat 31 Inventory byClass& NumberofOperations 87
Barley 32 LambCropand Disposition 87
Oats 33 Wool Production 87
Potatoes 33 Production and Income 87
Canola 34 Death Loss & PercentofInventory Loss 88
Safflower 34 Predator& Non-Predator LossandValue 88
Sunflovi^er 34 Death Loss byCause 89
Mustard Seed 34 PercentofLossesforSizeofFlock byCause 89
Flaxseed 34 HOGS& PIGS
All Dry Beans 35 InventorybyCaiss& NumberofOpeartions 90
Garbanzo Beans 35 Annual Farrowingsand Disposition 90
Pinto Beans 35 Production and Income 90
Lentils 35 CHICKENS, EGGS, & HONEY
All Dryand Austrian WinterPeas 35 Chickens: Inventory, Value, Production & Income 91
SweetCherries 36 Eggs: Production and Value 91
SugarBeets 36 Honey: Inventory,Yield, Production,Stocks&Value 91
AlfalfaSeed 36 Dairy Products Marketed: Incomeand Value 91
All Hay 37 Red Meat Production by Month 92
Alfalfa Hay 37 MonthlySlaughter 92
All Other Hay 37
Stocksof MajorGrains 38 COUNTYESTIMATES - LIVESTOCK
Grain Movement 39 INVENTORY& COUNTY RANKING
Wheat Utilization 40 All Cattle & Calves 93
All WheatVarieties 41 BeefCows& Heifers 93
WinterWheatVarieties 42 MilkCows& Heifers 94
SpringWheatVarieties 43 All Sheep& Lambs 94
Durum WheatVarieties 44 Hogs& Pigs 95
BarleyVarieties 45 Chickens 95
AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS 96
Page2
MontanaAgricultural Statistics2003
Montana's agricultural industry has changed dramatically over the years. The changes include fewer full-
time agricultural producers, consolidation of suppliers, and world competition for both products and
markets. To remain competitive, our agricultural producers and businesses - and businesses that might
choose to come to Montana - must have the most reliable and accurate information available.
This 40th annual edition of Montana Agricultural Statistics provides our Montana producers and agri-
businesses with the necessary information to make those decisions required to remain competitive in a
dynamic and changing industry. The statistics also enable state and federal program managers to
analyze the impacts of proposed changes in legislation and program rules.
With the information provided in this publication, in printed and electronic format, and with the support of
all Montanans, our agricultural producers will continue to provide consumers worldwide with top quality
products at reasonable prices.
Sincerely,
gw^v^
Judy Martz
Governor
Page 3
Foreword
MESSAGE FROM
Montana'sagricultural marketplace iseverchanging, withanexpansion
THE DIRECTOR
in new crops and crop varieties and enhancements in historically
importantcommodities. Malt barley production isexpectedto increase
greatly with the addition oftwo new malt barleyfacilities in Sidney and
Great Falls. The companies that made these investments did their
homework, and are well aware of Montana's production capability and
the location of improvements such as sprinkler irrigation. Agricultural
statistics are an important tool in gauging the potential of new
agricultural endeavors.
The40thannualedition ofMontanaAgriculturalStatisticsprovidessuch
information. This information is provided through the courtesy of
Montana producers who are willingto share their data with the rest of
the industry. Mydeepestappreciation tothose individuals.
As we encounter more global competition, current statistics and
information become even more crucial in the decision making process.
Thedepartment, in conjunctionwiththe MontanaAgriculturalStatistical
Service, will continue to provide that information, be it in printed or
electronic format.
Sincerely,
Ralph Peck, Director
Notes from the
State Statistician
^^^^1
MontanaAgricultural Statistics2003
Montana Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture, through the Director, is Councils and Boards attached to the Agriculture
responsibleforadministrationofa $13millionannual budget Development Division include the Montana Alfalfa Seed
with 108employees. TheDirectoroverseesthedepartment's Committee,AgricultureDevelopmentCouncil, Montana Potato
threedivisionsandsixbureaus. Thefunctionofeachdivision AdvisoryCommittee,Wheatand BarleyCommittee,StateHail
issummarized below. Insurance Board, and Agriculture in Montana Schools.
Statewide agricultural statistics and projections are
Central ManagementDivision performstechnical,fiscal developed through a Federal/State cooperative agreement
and administrative support functions for the department. with the National Agriculture Statistics Service administered
Responsibilities of the division include activities for internal through the division. This information is made available
operations ofthe department. through a comprehensive agricultural statistics bulletin and
grain movementsummaryalongwith other production, price
Agricultural Sciences Division is responsible for the and income reports.
registration of 7,025 pesticide products; the training,
certification and licensing of 1,510 commercial and TheRuralDevelopmentBureauservesMontanathrough
government applicators, 1,677 operators, 447 pesticide the Agriculture Finance Program, the Commodity Check-Off
dealers, and 8,200 private applicators. EnablingAct,theState Hail InsuranceProgram,and Montana
The division provides evaluation of pest management Agricultural Statistics Service. The Bureau is charged with
problemsand programs;trainingand licensingofgovernment assisting producers and entrepreneurs in enhancing our
and commercial pesticide applicators and dealers; and agricultural industryand the Montana economy.
analytical laboratory and consultative services to other The Agriculture Finance program is responsible for
agencies and the public. In addition, the division is making grants and lower interest rate loans for rural youth,
responsible for the administration and enforcement of rural youth organizations, and other qualified farmers and
regulatorylawscontrollingtheproduction, manufacturing,and ranchers. The Agriculture Finance Program also provides
marketing of agricultural commodities exported from or fundsforRuralCommunityDevelopmentGrants, BuildingOur
distributed within Montana. The division investigates American Communities, and the Young Ag Couples
consumer complaints; performs technical expertise and
Conference.
licenses for 480 nurseries, 656 feed dealers, 234 fertilizer TheStateHail InsuranceProgram insuresanycropgrown
dealers, 320seeddealersand 105grain merchandisers. The in Montanafrom lossescaused byhaildamage.The Program
division also registers 2,698 pet food products, 1,200 wasestablished in 1917 to provide producerswith basic hail
fertilizers, and 5,030 bee yards. insurance coverage to protect producers inputcosts.
The passage of the Montana Agricultural Chemical
Ground Water Protection Act(1990)chargesthedepartment TheAgriculture Marketingand Business Development
toprotectgroundwaterandtheenvironmentfrom impairment Bureau is responsible for market enhancement and
or degradation duetothe use ofagricultural chemicals. The development through direct market development activities,
Vertebrate Pest Management program provides on-site grants, and seed capital loan investments in new and
demonstrations,educational materialsandtechnicalbulletins innovative products or process, marketing, and product
to assist producers in reducing damage caused by field development. Marketing and agri-business development
rodents, birds and other large mammals. personnel work closelywith individuals and organizationsto
The Weed Management program is responsible for promote and enhance our agriculture industry.
administering statewide efforts aimed at control and/or
eradication of noxious and other undesirable weeds. The The Montana State Grain Laboratory Bureau is located
Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program provides a in Great Falls and operates the only official USDA-Federal
certification mechanism that allows producers to market Grain Inspection Service grain grading and inspection
variousforage crops as beingnoxious weed seed free. laboratoryinthestateofMontana.Thelabprovidesunbiased
grain inspection, grading, analytical services, and oil seed
The Agricultural Development Division (ADD) is analysistothe state's grain industry.
responsibleforadministeringprogramsdirectedatpromoting
and enhancing Montana agriculture. Within the Division are The Montana Wheat and Barley Bureau Is responsible
four bureaus,the Rural DevelopmentBureau,theWheatand formarketing, promotingandencouragingintensivescientific
Barley Bureau, the Agriculture Marketing and Business and practical research in all phases of wheat and barley
Development Bureau, and the Montana State Grain culture and production under the guidelines and policies
Laboratory Bureau. developed bythe Wheatand Barley Committee.
Page 5
General
Montana Crop, Livestock and Weather Digest - 2002
January: Unseasonably mild temperatures and Chinook winds yearaverage. Bythe end ofthe month, ninety-six percent ofthe
j
prevailed in January. An arctic cold front broughta bigchange in cattle and calves and sheep and lambs were moved to summer
the weather toward the end of the month, but winds and above ranges.
normaltemperaturessoon returnedtothestate. Winddamageto
thewinterwheatcropwasreportedat28% heavy, 35%moderate, July: Hot weather continued and lasted the entire month.
and 16%) lightat month'send. Duetothe mild winterconditions, Precipitation was scattered. At month's end, small grain crop
livestock grazing remained 71% open, with little forage available. conditions were rated mostly fair and good. The winter wheat
Calvingand lambinghadjust begun bytheend ofthe month. harvest hadjust begun and was 6% complete, compared to 37%)
last year and the five-year average of 26 percent. Ninety-seven
February:AwesterlyupperairflowkeptMontanawarmeranddrier percentofthe alfalfa haywas harvested bytheend ofthe month.
thannormaluntilthelastweekin Februarywhenwinterreturnedto Thesecond cuttingwas underwaywith 23%.complete.
the state. Producers welcomed the moisture and snow coverfor
thewinterwheatcrop,butmoreprecipitationwasneeded. Topsoil August: Hottemperatures prevailed inAugust. Mostareasofthe
and subsoil moisture were both rated at very short or short at state received precipitationthefirstpartofthemonth. Atmonth's
month's end. Nearly all of the cattle and calves and sheep and end,thewinterwheatharvestwas94%)complete,trailingbothlast
lambs were receiving some supplemental feed because of poor year's and the five-year averages of 98% and 96%, respectively.
rangeand pastureconditions. Livestock producersreported good The spring wheat and barley harvest was well behind last year's.
calvingandlambingprogress,with25%>ofcalvesand12%oflambs Thesecond cuttingofalfalfa haywas75%complete,comparedto
born by month'send. 81% lastyear.
March: Marchwassnowyandcold in Montana. Topsoilconditions September:Temperaturesremained hotformostofMontanauntil
improvedwiththisprecipitation,butmoremoisturewasneededfor thelastweekinSeptemberwhenthehighswereinthemid-60'sto
thewinterwheatandthesummercrops. Atmonth'send,thewinter the mid-70's. Precipitation was generally lightforthe month with
wheatcropconditionwasratedat1%excellent,9%>good,29%)fair, portionsofthestate receivingrain. Thewinterwheat harvestwas
31%poor,and30%verypoor. Calvingand lambingwere58%and complete bythe first part ofthe month. Springwheatand barley
28%complete, respectively, bytheendofthe month. were 91%) harvested by month's end, both behind last year's
averageof99%)andthefive-yearaverageof99%. Duetofavorable
April: Theweatherwasmuchcolderthan normalthefirstweekin weatherconditions,the2003winterwheatcropwas 74%)seeded
April. Someareas inthestate reported temperatures belowzero. atmonth'send,wellaheadofthefive-yearaverageof52%. Forty-
Warmerconditionsandscatteredrainandsnowshowersprevailed three percentofthe cattle and calves and 41%) ofthe sheepand
the rest ofthe month. Field work progressed slowly. At month's lambswere moved offsummerpastures.
end, field tillage was 27%well underway, compared to lastyear's
49%underway. Sugarbeetgrowershadplanted35%>oftheircrop, October:MontanahadmildtemperaturesduringOctober,withlight
compared with thefive-yearaverage of61%seeded. Calvingwas precipitation insomeareas. Smallgrains,drybeans,andpotatoes
90%completebytheendofthemonth,on-pacewith89%lastyear werenearlyharvestedbytheendofthemonth. Sugarbeetharvest
andthesameasthefive-yearaverage. Lambingwas69%)finished, was96%complete, and cornsilagewas 100% harvested. Winter
comparedtothefive-yearaverageof76%). wheatseedingwas98%)completeatmonth'send,thesameaslast
year. Seventy-onepercentofbothcattleandcalvesandsheepand
May: Temperatures were near normal during the month. lambswere reported moved offsummerpastures.
Precipitation was generally scattered the first two weeks. Rain
showers, with snow in some areas, fell across the state the third November: Above normal temperatures and below normal
week in May. Bozeman received 2.33 inches of moisture forthe precipitation prevailed in mostareas. The western portion ofthe
week, and other parts of Montana received close to 2 inches. At state did receive some snow during the last part of the month.
month'send,88%ofthebarley,80%ofthespringwheat,and84% Snowcoverforwinterwheatwasratedmostlyverypoor. Bytheend
oftheoatsacreage had been planted, behind lastyearwhen 97% of November, winter wheat had emerged on 95% of the seeded
ofthebarley,94%)ofthespringwheat,and93%oftheoatsacreage acreage. Atmonth'send, 36%)ofthecattleand 28%)ofthesheep
were seeded. Sugar beet seeding was virtually complete. Fifty received supplemental feed, compared to 67%) of both the cattle
percentofthecattleand calvesand 43%)ofthesheepand lambs andsheeplastyear. Livestockgrazinglandswerereportedat92%
had been movedtosummer ranges. open.
June: Rain fell across Montana in June, which improved crop and December:Decemberwasunseasonablywarmanddry. Producers
pastureconditions. Mostofthestatesawtemperaturesinthe70's were concerned about the lack of snow cover on winter wheat
and80's untiltheend ofthe month whenseveralareas brokethe fields. The winterwheatcrop was rated 1% very poor, 25%) poor,
100 degree mark. Glendive set the high at 108 degrees. Crop 55%) fair, 18% good, and l%o excellent. At month's end, grazing
seeding was complete at month's end. Pasture and range feed lands remained primarily open, but producers fed livestock
conditionswerebetterthanayearago,butstillpoorerthanthefive- supplementalfeedsduetothe lack offorage.
Page 6
MontanaAgricultural Statistics2003
Montana Climatological Data
PRECIPITATION FROStFREE DAYS
stations COUNTY Annual April-September Growing Season
Big Fork, 13 3
Big Sandy
BigTimber
WSO
Billings,
Bozeman, MSU
Broadus
Butte
Chester
Chinook
Circle
General
Montana Facts and Figures
Montana's 2002 population, at 909,453, was up 13.8 percentfrom 1990. Population density, measured in people persquare
mile,was6.3in 2002—third lowestintheUnitedStates. Montana's56.7 millionacresofland infarmsand ranchesrankssecond
in the nation behind Texas.
and and Land Utilization
Values are from the 1997 U.S. Census ofAgriculture
Total, 2002 Census 909,453 Montana Total Land Area 145,388 Sq. Miles
People PerSq. Mile 6.3 93,048,320 Acres
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Rural