The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-11
CATTLE LOSS Low
Livestock Damage Last Winter
Lightest in Years.
Edward C. Paxton Report
Covers State of Kansas.

Losses of livestock in Kansas from
disease and exposure in the last year
have been the lightest in many years,
according to estimates released today
by Edward c. Paxton, field agent for
the federal department of agriculture
Correspondents of the department
estimate that mortality among horses
has amounted to eleven per thousand
in the year ended May /. Similar
estimates show an average loss of, six
teen per thousand during the last five
years
Mortality of cattle was unusually
light the last winter in comparison to
the heavy losses suffered in the win
ter of 191s-19. Only nine cattle per
thousand died last winter from ex-
posture as compared with thirty-five
per thousand in the previous year,
and an average of twelve in the last
five years. Loss of cattle from dis
ease during the last year amounts to
fourteen per thousand as against nine
teen year ago and a five year aver
age of eighteen.
Thirty-one sheep and thirty lambs
died per thousand last year from
either disease or exposure. The five
year average loss has been thirty
sheep and twenty-seven lambs.
Swine Fared We'll
Swine mortality reached the lowest
ebb in fifteen years, being only TWEEN
ty per thousand. In the year ending
May j, 1912. before any measures
were taken by the state or federal
government to eradicate hog cholera,
the losses mounted TO 1872 per thou
sand. The loss of hogs during the
past five years has averaged twenty
seven per thousand
All classes of livestock are reported
as being in nearly average condition
of healthfulness on May l. Cattle in
the Central a yH south &c
are reported as coming thru the win
ter quite thin due to shortness of
rough feed last winter. Elsewhere in
the state cattle are full weight for
spring generally, Western range cat
tie are fatter than usual owing to
abundant pasturage all last winter.
Spring Work Delayed.
Paxton's report further shows that
farm work was considerably delayed
up to May l this year. Reporters in
dictate that only 6 II per cent of the
spring blowing and So per cent of the
spring seeding had been done up to
that date. This is fully per cent less
than had been accomplished up to
May 1 last year. Delay is partly at
tributed to Indictment weather and
partly to shortage of labor.
The heaviest carry over of hay in
the last five years is recorded as of
May /. Thirteen per cent of last
Years crop or 74S.0o0 tons is estimated
as still on farms. Holdings of wild
hay in the long grass section are I'M
usually heavy. Backwardness in mar
keting is attributed to shortage of cars
and unsatisfactory markets. The out
look for the new hay crop is not flat
tering. Meadows are reported in IS
per cent of normal condition as COM
pared with 81 per cent a year ago, 81
per cent in 1918, So per cent in 1917
and So per cent in 1916 Alfalfa suf-
fered a severe setback from the
freezes OF April and made slow re-
covery and growth. Wild hay mead
ows were slow to start because of the
cold and are much behind the usual in
development. Pastures are rated at 80
per cent of normal for the season.