The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-08-07
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST Z, 1907.
LIVESTOCK.

MONTANA LIVESTOCK.
It is gratifying t find that the losses
among Montana livestock last winter
we're not quite go serious 30 anticipat.
ed. During the sever and prolonged
cold spells it wac feared that enormous
lose would be inflicted upon the aocks
and herds, the opinion being expressed
BY some OF the stockmen that nothing
could survive exposure to the almost
unprecedented and trying conditions
which continued for so long q time.
II was q long, hard siege, but the ap
prehension that it would result in the
humiliation of the livestock industry
was dispelled when returns were re.
ceived from the range. The loss was
plenty. but the Montana livestock in
dustry vas not completely wrecked in
its struggle for existence.
That is the story told in the assess.
ment records OF the several counties
for the current year. In some parts
Of Montana there is q decrease in the
number of livestock returned for taxa.
ton, but this lose is nearly recovered
by gains reported in other counties.
The returns show q total OF about
1O0, 900 less cattle and SOC, 600 less
sheep than were assessed in Montana
last year, while there is q small in.
crease in the number Of horses re.
turned for taxation. The large ship.
ments Of beef andImutton last season
account in part for the reduction in
the number ~of.,cattle and sheep that
will be assessed this year.
While the returns made to the as.
SCISSORS mayInot accurately represent
the number of livestock in Montana,
they are the only Official data upon
the subject. Opinions differ as to the
percentage that should be added to
the Official returns, to ascertain the
true number of livestock, but it is safe
TO figure that the number listed does
not over.estima ate the size of Montana
locks and herds.
Returns received by the state board
OF eQualiz alton from the several coun.
ties show a total livestock valuation
Of about $32 GOO, 600 for the present
year-this amount being nearly a mil.
lion dollarslgreater than the total for
1906. Montana livestock, according
to this exhibit, forms about Is per
cent. oflthe entire taxable property of
the state.
The federal bureau Of agriculture
estimates the entire cattle holdings OF
American farmers and stockmen at
about 1900, 600 head, and Montana
certainly hasimore than one per cent
Of that number. The assessors re.
turns account for 7222, 242 head, valued
at nearly sl2, SOC, 600, and this number
and valuation will be increased by
additions made by the county boards
Of equalization. Custer county is the
leading ''cow county" OF Montana,
its cattle assessment showing 1888
head, valued at SLAP, 500.
The livestock census compiled by
the agricultural department is author.
ity for the estim ate that there are over
So, O00, 600 sheep in the United States,
more than ten per cent Of that number
being credited 10 Montana, which
leads all other states in this class OF
livestock. Returns made to the coun.
ty assessors this year shows q total OF
about 1000, O0O sheep in Montana,
valued At a little over 81, 600, 600
Chouteau county heads the list OF
sheep counties with q total OF $50, SOC
head. valued at about 81, SIC, OOO.
The Montana horse industry il
growing in size and value, compared
with the assessment returns of las,
year. The horse exhibit for 1901
shows 1850 head, valued at abou'
s7.33s, 900. Custer county also leading
in this class OF livestock.
The Montana livestock industry i!
bull. upon a found alton that enable.
it to withstand all kinds of discour
agements and vi~cissitudes. Hare
winters, depred atoms of wild animals
drouths, poor transportation tacili
ties, unreasonable and Oppressive
quar- antine regulations, manipulation
of the markets by powerful combines
are among the difficulties with which
Montana stockmen are compelled Il
contend, but their intention to sta
with the business is indicated by tn
data gathered in the annual assess
ment roundups.
THE RAILWAY SLAUGHTER.