Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-17
FARES WELL
WITH FEED SUPPLY
ENOUGH FOR NEEDS
ShiDments of Beef and Sheep
Abnormally Heavy, Report
Relates.
Snecial to The Tribune.

Special to The tribune.
Helena. Nov. 16.-The special live
stock report issued Thursday by Geo.
A. Scott, agricultural statlstician,
shows that the states cattle and sheep
are in excellent condition. with Il sup
ply Of feed and range on hand adequate
for winter needs. Cattle shipments
from the state are abnormally heavy,
considering the supply, due IN part to
forced liquidations. The sheep INDUS
try is still on the upgrade and is fea-
t1lred bv brisk demands and paying
prices for lambs and good sheep.
THE condition of cattle is 81 per
cent of normal" the report says,
while the range and pasture condition
is 80 per cent. Heavy shipments fea-
ture the cattle business, the reports
Indicating that this years shipments
will be 12S per cent of last years.
Many cattlemen have found it neces-
sary to sell heavily in order to get
from under old financial burdens.
Thus sales have not been confined to
stuff fit for market, and considerable
useful breeding stock has gone out,
too. Prices have been such mat
financial losses to sellers have not
been comm The perplexins posi-
ton of cattle shippers has been agsra-
waited by the car shortage.
Confidence Strong
Shipments Of two-year-olds are
heavier this year, with close to ~
Practically all-93 per cent-of the
threes and tours will be shipped.
Confidence in the cattle industry is still
strong, there being q pronounced ten
dency to restock as far as finances
permit, and useful COW are being held
as far as possible. with but few eX-
ceptions.
THE following prices represent the
average per head received locally. or
net at shipping points, which pre-
vailed in the state about November !;
Yearling steers, S27 80; two-year-old
steers. fat, $3.50; same. feeders and
S62.40; same. feeders and thin. S49.i0;
calves, $1,000: fat COWS. $42.1Q: thin
cows. $29.25; stock cows, $500.
"The condition Of the sheep of the
state is 9S per cent of normal, while
sheep ranges are 81 per cent. The
sheep industry is booming under
stimulation of a rising wool market
and profitable prices for lambs. Early
buyers from corn belt states, as well as
from Colorado, Idaho and other sec
tons, took the bulk of the lambs and
sheep Of the feeder class at good
but which now appear cheap;
Some men in Montana who expected
to feed are now finding it difficult to
secure feeders. Breeders are mani
Testing confidence in the future Of the
Industry by holding breeding stuff in
the face of tempting offers. Appar-
emily more old ewes just about past
the useful stage are being sold out,
hut only q small percentage Of the
Younger she-stuff has been released.
The number Of sheep and lambs
shipped compared to last year will be
about 9S per cent in each case. Com
paratively few lambs are usually fed
out here. and less will be fed this
year than last.
Pastures Are Good
The average farm and range prices
per head to growers about November
/ were: Eve lambs, $3.50; wethPr
lambs, $500; young ewes. $1,000; old
ewes, $500. Most feeder lambs have
changed hands within the range Of 10
to l. cents per pound. Earlier pur-
chases were made for less. and Some
higher sales have been reported.
Montana has a good supply of feed
this fall. including n heavy hay crop.
straw, corn fodder. grains and other
feeds. Winter pastures are generally
good. but in many sections grasshop-
pers damaged them seriously. This
will mean q heavier drain upon the hay
and ~roughage supply.
Thirty counties in the state report
a surplus Of stock feed. most in the
shape of hay. other roughages. and
grass. A material surplus is indicated
in the following counties: Cascade,
Fergus. Pondera, Judith Basin,
Naarhar Carfield GaTotin Park
S~weetgrass. Yellowstone. Custer, Fail
Ion and the Flathead project in Flat
head and Missoula counties. In most
other counties a slight surplus of feed
is shown or a fair balance between
the livestock and the feed supply. One
county shows a shortage of feed, bur
il is adjacent to others which eyi-
have more than they need.
The character Of the winter will,
of course, determine more closely
than estimates just how much surplus
feed the state has. At this time Of
wear there is likely to be Il tendency
10 underestimate the winters feed re
quirements. and some have expressed