Fergus County argus., 1904-12-07
SEASON PROVED
DISAPPOINTING

Continued from first page.)
and In years to come the long-horned,
grass fattened ranger promises to be-
come as scarce as the old Texas long
horn steer of few years ago. Quail
ity, not quantity, has of late years
become the slogan of the southwest
ern cattle growers.
Pure bred bulls have been import
ed Into the range country, and more
are being put on the range each sea-
son The quality of the herds has i'm
proved greatly in the past few years,
and a better grade of cattle will like
ly be had in the next few years.
Yearlings Came High.
Most OF the southern bred steers
were purchased two seasons ago at
prices relatively out of proportion to
those received for them as matured
animals, while the home grown beeves
cost too much in keeping to pay a
very attractive premium over the orig
inal investment. Two hard winters
have been experienced in the range
country since the time this seasons
offerings Of cattle were of the year
ling class, and losses in both winters
were comparatively heavy. and par
ticularly in the northern sections of
Montana and the Dakotas.
Another drawback has been the
outbreak of mango in a considerable
number of sections in the range coun-
try. This pest has been a constant
worry to many owners and has neces-
STATED strenuous efforts being taken
to stamp out the disease before gen.
eral infection should have a hold on
the cattle. Rangemen have gone to a
big expense in fitting out dipping sta
tons and quarantine corrals and the
like in order to check the spread of
the "scab," while government order
forbidding shipments of NANCY cattle
caused big losses to some shippers,
whose stock has been held back. and
thus appreciated in value, despite the
fact that the quality of the animals
was good enough to fit them for kill
ers," and thus make infection one of
bothersome and harmful character.
There were numerous other causes
marring rangemen's prosperity during
piC oCoooh, piaStiCdlly all VI WulCn
were unseen at the beginning of the
year. However. prices nave as a gen.
eral rule been considerably better than
in 1903, and the season is closing In
considerably better shape than at the
opening, and with prospects fairly IA
v0rable for better prices and better
cattle next year, rangemen look upon
the dull trade this year in a philoso
phical manner, and only hope for q
more favorable year in the coming
one.
"Tle average price of western range
cattle for the season stood at S3.65
the same as 1903. while showing a
decline of $1.30 from the banner yeaI
OF 1892, while standing 80 cents low
er than 1901 and 40 cents under the
average of 1900. Barring last year the
average price was the lowest since
1894, though in the sixteen years pre-
vious to that date the average price
was lower than this year during nine
different seasons.
Tops for the season sold in Octo
Der up to $3.50, showing an advance
of 60 cents compared with the higl
point in 1908, while $175 lower thai
the record price of $40 in 1902. Barr
ing the record year and also 1899 AM
1901, when top was $50 and S575
respectively, this years high marke
stood the best since 1884, when choic,
bts reached Sc. while showing an ad
vance of 81 80 over the low year o
1879.
Strike Hurts Trade.
THE Packingtown strike, whicl
started in the middle of July and lasi
ed until the first week of September
seriously affected range cattle trade
packers being in a poor position I,
handle any but a good class OF corr
fed steers, trade in the lower grad
meats being practically neglected b.
the local slaughterers.
"The first rangers received cam
July la train load, numbering clos
TO so head of Washington steers
which had been fed hay in the win
ter months, selling that day at s!
which price was 81 higher than tn
top in the first week Of 1903.
Nearly month ELAPSED before maj
ketins got under full sway. however
the strike OF packing house employe
and consequent partial tieup Of opel
ations here resulting in rangemen Dc
ferring extensive shipments until cor
ditions were more satisfactory, an
not until the week ending August got
did any considerable number of rani
ers arrive, total of 10000 coming II
that week, and rangemen were the
enabled to get fair line on prices.
'.Sales that week ranged at S3.50a
4.40, tops showing 60 cents loss fror
the high point at the opening OF tn
sea son. Thereafter receipts were YER
liberal and the spread in prices wider
ed, the lower grades declining 10 cent
In the next week and another rs cent
before September 1st. Demand at tha
time was the poorest known in years
buyers bought offerings very reluctant
ly, and in the absence Of a liberal II
quiry from eastern sources and cor
belt feeders. selling was almost impo:
sible to accomplish, except at ruinou'
ly low prices.
Despite the fact that less than so
900 range cattle were offered in tn
first month of the year. the genera
range Of prices dropped 60 cents to
from values noted In the latter par
OF July, and the average price of steer
during the month was but s3.40. a d.
cline of As cents per hundredweigil
in comparison with the average pric
in August, 1908. even though the qua
ity OF offerings in the early part OF tn
season was much better than yea
ago, and enough so, in fact, to swe
the decline in the first month to Z