The border vidette., 1922-11-04
DROUGHT STRICKEN NEW MEX

Clemen Of ArlzOna to learn direct ly the severe state of drought conditions that our neighboring state of New Mexico finds itself.
 Today New Mexico is by far the hardest hit from lack of rains than any other western state. As a result hundreds of thousands of cattle are facing starvation unless they can be moved to ample winter feed.
 New Mexico cattlemen and sheepmen stocked their ranges beginning January 1, 1922 to 80 per cent normal as that was the condition of ranges and water throughout the state at the be Department of Agriculture es- timated there were some l ,132. 900 cattle in the state and about 2,343, 900 sheep on an 80 per cent normal range at the outstart of the year 1922
 Recent statistics of the U. S. Department of Agriculture Blu reau of Agriculture Economics show that on October 1st range and pasture conditions were 10 per cent of normal for the aver age of the whole state of New Mexico.
 This at once you realize is but one half of the 80 per cent nor nal conditions at the beginning of this year. Apparent to all is the fact that 50 per cent of these 1,132 ,0OO cattle and 90 per cent of the 2,343, ,OOO head of sheep are facing starvation. Many are being saved of course by ship ping to ample feed grounds in other states. Some have al ready been lost by starvation. Many forced sales have been made as low as 5000 per head for cattle.
 2O,1 cattle were shipped to other states for pasture from New Mexico during the past month of Septem Der, 19, 3O1 went to market in September, totaling 3y, 4O5 that left the state during those thirty days, October ship ments undoubtedly will total far above the September shipments. During September of last year, 1921, a total of 9, ,54l. cattle were shipped from that state of course most all of them to market During the past nine months of this present year 282 ,971 cattle have been moved from New Mexico. As has above been stated 50 per cent of the cattle in the state will starve if not moved. This 50 per cent amounts to some 566, ,OOO head that need relief. As given, 282, ,971 have already been shipped during the past nine months meaning there are about 283,O cattle now starving to death. At an estim ated value of S2OOO per head New Mexico cattlemen are squarelY in front of & two mil lion six hundred and sixty thous- and dollar loss.
 Most of the state Of Texas is far better off than our grief stricken sister state of New Mexico. Yet the average con- dition of ranges and pasture in the Lone Star state is 69 per cent of normal. The sections bordering New Mexico are the most seriously affected. There cattle must also be moved or face aunihilatlon.
 Provision has already been made in the El Paso and nearby New Mexico country to. move 100000 head of cattle into the Chihuahua country of Mexico and to date a big portion of that immense shipment has already gone forward.
 All cattlemen in our own state of Arizona are deeply concerned in New Mexico from the present existing drought condition. The drought stril1en area reaches into the northeastern portion of our own state. Several thous and cattle in the upper Navajo and Apache county sections must be moved to ample winter feed and water else patiently meet the inevitable approach of star vation. The major portion of Arizona ranges are in good to excellent condition.
 The Arizona Cattle Growers Association is endeavoriDg to locate cattlemen who can take | care of an extra nun Der of cattle l during the coming winter. The 1 Association is thus trying earn l eStly to so assist drought strick- ! ar, coffl.ATDpn OF nnr nU-n north. 1