Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-01-17
CATTLE BUYERS
LOCATING HERE

Billings, Mont. Jan 1o.-Ten car.
loads Of fxt steers, numbering 2l0
head were shipped through the city
this morning enroute from the vici-
nifty Of Hardin to Portland. Oregon.
The animals were fed on the ranch OF
Chxs. N. Blair aud were in prime
condition. The steers averaged about
l.4oo pounds in weight and the price
received was approximately 8 cents
per pound. This means that each Of
the animals were sold for about SIS
and that the check received for the
consignment WAS nearly $4,000. Az
has been previously announced. feed
ing operations are being carried OH
GU y somewhat extensive scale in this
winter and ut present 5000 cattle and
$4,000 sheep are being prepared for
the market in the yards of the Bill
lings Sugar company. These will
soon be III v finished condition and it
10 expected they will be placed OH the
market within the next few weeks as
some have already been sold. Last
season 5000 cattle and 1900 sheep
were ted in these yards and MI i'm.
mense some was expended in carry
ing OH the operations. Among the
items Of expense was $4,000 for a.
falfa and approximately 100000 for
beet pulp and refuse molasses obtain
Ell from the sugar company. 1t ia
not known what the total expense
was, but al idea Of the profits may
be gained from statements Of stock
men which are to the effect that it
'sts about go to fatten steer. this,
however depending upon his condi-
ton when placed on feed, also the
length Of time he il in the yarda.
This 10 usually figured vt 100 days.
1t 10 said that the cost CT good steers
when taken from the range is be.
tween $50 and SIS. and ut the price
received for the Bair animals it il
estimated that the net profit would
approximate $40 to SIS per head.
During the last few days prospective
buyers from Chicago, Omaha. Port
land. Twin Cities, Seattle. Spokane
and other markets have made head
Quartert in Billings in quest of fat
cattle and shsep. Is,
During the last three months of
1912, winter was that in name only,
for at no time did the mercury lecend
to the cipher reading, in fact only in
two instances did it approach near
that mark. On Dec. 10 the record
WAS $ above and on Dec. II it was
two degrees lower. and with these
exceptions there were. few, occasions
when the thermometer showed u
temperature below freezing. The pre-
sent cold period brought with it a
snow fall of considerable depth and
this is what we most desired, for the
broad areas seeded to wheat were
covered with y protecting mantle.
which not only prevents winter kill
ing. but the resulting moisture will
go y long way toward insuring a
heavy yield next summer.
Before the coming of the snow.
farmers of the non-irrigated districts.
while admitting that the wheat crop
was in an apparently good condition,
called attention to The fact that the
long continued dry weather, coupled
with considerable wind. was bringing
about u condition which would nlti-
nately mean material injury and all
! agreed that heavy snow was what
F., was most needed. II was also said
, that the range was becoming badly
! in need OF moisture, but as virtual,
all stock has been rounded up and is
being Ted on alfalfa and other fOrag.
its shortage on the range has no,
been noticed to amy apprtciable en-
tent.
At the present time stock ant
farming conditions throughout east
ern Montana are satisfactory, II.
losses have been experienced an,
| stock men and old timers are taking
an optomistic view of weather con
diti"ns and are predicting All early
spring.
! MONTANA As