Arizona republican., 1917-12-07
CATTLE REPORT SHOWS RAIN IS
 BADLY NEEDED

A serious situation for the cattle in dustry was caused by the almost ab- solute lack of rainfall in districts where the forage was already short on ac- count of insufficient rains and where l overgrazed during the past ten weeks, l according to the general summary of cattle and range conditions issued on | December 1. The most unfavoTable localities are given as parts of Gia, Pinal Maricopa and southern Yavapdt counties. Jn or der to prevent serious losses in those districts it has been necessary to feed the cattle or ship them 10 more favor ahie localities.
 Rain is badly needed to bring up Gescrt grasses. according to the re- ports. and Co make available the browse iu the uplauds distant from the per manent watering places.
 In other parts of the state. the re- port says, the situation is not so bad although the water shortage is every where serious. Nowhere in the south crn half of the state except on tho high mountains is range grass very plentiful owing Co the iusufficiency of the late summer rainfall In the northern half however. there appears Co be an ample reserve of forage on the mountains and there is enough 10 support stoct provided the winter is not unusually severe. In general, the report says, cattle in the northern counties are in good condition.
 The following is the summary by counties:
 Mohave-Normal conditions prevail except that it is extremely dry. There is plenty of grass and browse and it does not appear that there will be any serious shortage of range forage this winter.
 Yavapai-The mountain ranges are generally good with but little water shortage. and cattle on these ranges are in excellent condition. On the low lands it is very dry, but feed is gen erally plentiful except in the southern part of the county where cattle are poor and feeding will be necessary to carry them through the winter.
 COconino-Range forage is plentiful and under normal conditions will sup port stock until spring. The scarcity of water is causing great inconvenience and is becoming serious since much of the range is unavailable on this ac- count Cattle and sheep are generally in good condition.
 Naval jo-Grass on the plains is rath-
 
 sufficient to support cattle until spring if the winter is mild. The water short age Is being Seenlv felt however, and cattle are becoming poorer because of overgrazing in the ueighborhood of the few watering places left Cattle and ranges in the mountains are reported to be excellent.
 Apache and Greenlee-On the north % ern plains range is fair and cattle in fair condition. In southern mountains conditions are excellent.
 Gila-Practically no grass on lower ranges and in some localities cattle are dying. Some have shipped to eastern states for feeding
 Graham-Lowland ranges are bare while mountain range is good but mostly unavailable on account Of water shortage. Little feeding has been nec- Pssary so far
 Cochise-Range conditions poor. Glass not sufficient for winter al- though not much feeding done so far.
 Pima and Santa Cruz-Apart from serious water shortage range condi- tions are not far from normal.
 Pinal-Range conditions very poor.