Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-12-20
CONDITION Of
LIVESTOCK IN
STATE BETTER
Cattle Average 70Per Cent,
Which Is 10 Per Cent
Better Than in October;
Many Shipped Out
special to The journal

state College, n. NJ, Dec. -1s.-
(Bureau OF Agricultural Econo.
micsl--
In spite Of the approach Of win
Ter. the rains and SHOWS of Novem-
Dor improved the condition Of the
ranges 10 per cent over October
condition, accordin to reports
from stockmen Of the state to the
office of the Bureau of Agricul-
tural Economics, of the United
states department of agriculture.
The greatest immediate benefit was
from furnishing drinking water for
the stock. The winter to date has
been mild and open, and a few
weeds have sprung up in warmer
spots, to furnish u small supply or
nourishment. However, the abund-
ant moisture insures grass for the
early spring, which encourages the
stockmen to feed enough to keep
their animals alive during the win
ter.
Condition OF Cattle and Sheep
The condition of cattle in the
state is reported at 70 per cent
which is an increase of 10 per cent
over the average for October. Inn
provement is indicated in the
southern and central parts of the
state where the worst conditions
prevailed.
Sheep were in so per cent of a
normal condition, or the same as
for October. These animals can
survive drouth in this state better
than cattle, since they can feed
on brush and coarse forage not
palatable to cattle. The losses of
sheep from starvation have been
light, and they have maintained
a fair condition.
Feeding
This is q breeding state, and very
few cattle and sheep are fed, eX-
cept for maintenance, and even
this is seldom profitable in view of
the high price Of feed, and the in
accessibility OF the stock to the
feed markets. A few cattle and
sheep are fed grain for market in
the eastern part during good crop
years.
Feeding for maintenance is far
more general than usual, due to
the poor condition of the ranges.
This is in spite of the unusually
high price of feed, but is encour-
aged by reduction OF so per cent
in railroad rates on feed for stock
in the state.
Prices
The average range prices for the
state were: Calves, S13; yearlings,
S20; 2 and 8 years old, $50; and
years old s34; COWS, $40. The
price was variable depending upon
The condition Of the cattle, and
prices buyers were willing to pay.
Many sales were forced.
The average prices reported for
sheep were: Lambs and wethers,
49,; old ewes, $S; breeding ewes
Se,75.
Movement
Reports of the cattle sanitary
board, show that on November l.,
1922, 375,70S cattle had been NOV
ed from the state. This is about
an average of the yearly move
ment for the past three years. On
above date the movement 20 Mex
leo had not started. The move
ment was reported very heavy in
November, and continues heavy for
December. In 1917, 503,037 were
moved and in 1918, it amounted
to 556,141. These were both dry
years. It is probably that the total
1922 movement will equal, or ex-
ceed that of either 1917, or 1918,
when there were evidently more
cattle in the state than at present.
The movement has been limited by
a car shortage. as well as by lack
of finances.
Reports from the sheep sanitary
board show a total of l5S,261
sheep moved to November I. This
is about 27 per cent of the aver
age yearly movement for the past
three years (57S,562). In 1920
and 1921 about 81 per cent had
been moved by November /. This
would indicate smaller move
nent for 1922, unless the NoveTn-
Der and December movements are
unusually heavy. Usually about
So per cent of the lambs move in
November and about per cent in
December. The movement OF ewes
and Wethers is often about the av-
erage for these two months. OF
the total sheep moved from the
state during the past three years,
about 1875 per cent were ewes, 7.5
per cent wethers and rams, and so
per cent lambs. The average
yearly movement for the past IL
years has been approximately 27
per cent of the estimated total
numbers,