By John G Nye

The purpose of this study is to determine so accurately as possible the extent to which the various controllable, as well as uncontrollable, factors are responsible for the success or failure of Montana ranches. An attempt has been made to analyze operating costs and income as they affect ranch operations and management practices, and to indicate the practices which have proved most successful This thesis was developed from secondary source material such as Agricultural experiment Station bulletins and additional data which are to be found in the files of the Department of agricultural Sconomics at Montana State college.

A careful study of the material at hand would seem to indicate that the most important factors which influence the success of Montana ranches are: 1. A definite long-time plan of operations for each Individtal unit bused upon the adaptability of the plant, and the type of production, as they are related to the physical environment.