Montana farmer-stockman. [volume], March 01, 1953, Image 1

About Montana farmer-stockman. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1947-1993

Image provided by: Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT

                
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March 1, 1953
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40 Ifeaii oj 'Research
* AT THE HUNTLEY BRANCH STATION
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A view of part of the grounds and some of the improvements at the Huntley
Branch of the Montana Experiment Station. (Mont. Experiment Station Photos.)
. "pvuring the more than 40 years that the Huntley
/ i-/ branch of the Montana Experiment station has
V "t jvv. been conducting research it has contributed to
«si Sx Montana's agriculture in many ways. Irrigated
rotations which were begun at the station in 1912,
some of which are still continued, have provided
Montana farmers with a lot of know-how as far as
management of irrigated land is concerned.
Rotations which have been continued for a shorter period of time
indicate the potential of irrigated lands when a good rotation is
supplemented with the proper addition of fertilizers.
In the "Maximum Production" rotation which was begun in 1926,
alfalfa yields have averaged roughly 6.5 tons per acre, sugar beets
20 tons, beans 47 bushels, oats 106 bushels and potatoes 427 bushels
per acre. In 1952 corn in this rotation yielded 132 bushels of shelled
corn at 15.5 per cent moisture. These yields are the average of 20
years and indicate what can be attained in the way of production
when good farming practices are used.
The Huntley pasture mixture, which has for a long time been a
recommended pasture mixture in Montana and the standard of
measurement for new mixtures, was developed at the Huntley Sta
tion. Work is continuing with pasture mixtures with the purpose of
improving upon mixtures which are now being used.
New crops and new varieties of crops being grown are continually
being tested as a part of the co-ordinated crop improvement pro
gram of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. At present
seed production of an adapted strain of birdsfoot trefoil is being
attempted in order to establish a supply of seed. At present no
seed is available for commercial production.
Sugar beet investigations have included variety testing, disease
and cultural studies as well as the work with irrigation, fertilizers
and rotations.
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Dryland rotations which were initiated in 1912 have contributed
a wealth of information relative to dryland crop production in Mon
tana. Soil moisture studies which have been carried in connection
with the dryland work have brought about a better understanding
of proper practices to use in order to get maximum conservation and
utilization of moisture, which is nearly always the limiting factor
of production under dryland conditions.
The Holstein herd at the station numbers roughly 110 females,
60 of which are in the milking herd. The chief objective of this herd
is the development of a herd of animals which are homozygous for
the genetic factors which contribute to high production.
The proven sire program which has long been a part of the dairy
work has resulted in 126 bulls being tested as to their ability to sire
high producing daughters. Four out of five bulls which have been
proven have sired daughters which exceeded the production of
their dams.
Bulls not used in the proven sire
(Please turn to page 23)
S MONTANA AND NORTHERN WYOMING
By TORLIEF S, AASHEIM, Superintendent
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Dairy barns and part of the station milking herd.
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Barley and corn growing in dryland rotation plot».
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Lambs on feed at the station in 1953. Three rations,
with and without beet pulp, were used in thç.. test.
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A view of ffa« irrigated rotation plot» at the station.