The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-07-26

Those of Last Year; Feed and Wa
ter Abounds.
Excellent conditions of ranges, cat
tie, sheep and lambs, somewhat bet
ter crops of calves and lambs than
last year, an excellent wool clip, and
prospects for about the average mar
ketings of cattle this fall, are shown
in the livestock report released today
by the Montana cooperative crop and
livestock reporting service. Ranges
are SO per cent of normal, a gain of
10 points during June. Good rain
in all sections has stimulated grass
growth, and several areas report the
best grass in years. Hopper damage
extent in some other localities, and a
dry period during the first half of
June in the eastern and southeastern
parts, have reduced the average con-
ditions to below normal.
Cattle are rated at SO per cent of a
normal condition, compared to SO a
month ago. Good grass and abundant
water have accounted for marked i'm
proyement. Losses among cattle for
the last six months have been very
light, averaging 3 per cent for the
state.
The crop saved up to July 1 is es-
timated to be SO per cent of the total
number of breeding cows on hand
last January 1, which makes about
$4,000 calves. This years calf crop
is estimated to exceed slightly that of
1922. The percentage of calves born
varies greatly in the same districts,
due largely to the age and condition
of COWS and bulls, methods of hand
ling, etc.
The first forecast as to the proba-
BILE number to be marketed this fall is
100000 head. This figure is subject
to revision next month. Reports from
many stockmen indicate that ship
ments will probably be lighter this
fall than last, since last falls move
ment was quite heavy and the supply
of these is short due to the poor calf
crop three years ago; besides, the sup
ply of grass and feed is good, so few
will be forced to ship on account of
lack of feed. However, there are sew
eraI factors which may tend to in
crease shipments considerably above
the forecast. Among these are finin-
cial pressure, general discourage
ment among cattlemen, the selling of
more 2-year-olds last fall and this,
the expressed intention of some to
market yearlings as baby beef feed
ers, and the trend of market prices.
Sheep and lambs are in normal
condition, or 100 per cent. Lambs
have been making very good growth.
Heavy rains and hail have caused
serious losses of sheep and lambs in
a few localities. Losses among sheep
during the first half of the year have
been very light, averaging 2 per
cent.
The lamb crop saved up to July l
has averaged 70 per cent of the num-
Der of ewes of breeding age, as shown
by a survey of many flocks in all dis
tricts of the state. This means that
about 100000 Montana lambs are
out under favorable condi-
lions. For the state as a whole, the
.amb crop is some better than it was
asst year. Sheep growers from the
southwest and eastern districts re-
,ort the heaviest increase in lambs,
while smaller crops are frequent in
he northern central and southern
raj portions.
The states wool clip is estimated
to be larger than last year, based up
on an average weight per fleece of
8.4 pounds and more sheep being
The average weight per
fleece for the last 10 years has been
10 pounds. The wool is of better
quality this year than last. Frequent
have delayed shearing, and
many sheep still carried their fleeces
until after July /. Very few wool
were made in the state during
June. 1t is estimated that no more
than 20 per cent of the total clip had
been sold up to date. Consignments
increased during the latter part of
June, as growers generally believe
the fall demand for fine woods
will insure them getting the prices
they are now asking.
Buyers of feeder lambs have been
active in the state. Reported prices
are mostly at nine to 10 cents for
fall delivery. While the number of
reported might indicate a
larger supply of feeders than usual,
this Is quite offset by general in
tentions to hold back more eve lambs
than usual. Very few sheep growers
will be forced to sell under financial
or on account Of lack of
grass and feed.
-O- HI