A steel firm describes sales as moderate, but stronger than three months ago. Many cattle have died, including at least 40,000 head in South Dakota, or 2 percent of that state's beef herd. Many farm buildings have collapsed due to abnormal snow loads. In Minnesota, over 5,000 farm buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and the number is thought to be similar in the Dakotas. Most farmers have unusually high fuel expense for snow removal, and livestock weight gains and general condition are poor.
Hay prices are well above normal levels in many areas.
Looking ahead to warmer weather, federal hydrologists warn that the potential for flooding in many areas is the highest in decades. Consumer Spending After a somewhat restrained holiday season, several retailers reported much stronger sales in January, but at very thin margins. One Montana mall reported January sales up 26 percent compared to the same period in 1996. This pattern of stronger January sales is confirmed by mall managers in other district states, although traditional Main Street retailers in western Minnesota and in North and South Dakota complain of disruption of sales by successive winter storms. Other industry spokespersons describe a pattern similar to general merchandise sales, that is general improvement in spite of episodic slow periods due to bad weather.