The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-02-07


past month, the condition figure is
given a. compared to the normal at
any particular time. Losses among
cattle during 1922 averaged 8 per
cent for the state, while the calf CROP
was II per cent of the breeding cows
on hand a year ago..
The condition of sheep on January
l was 81 per cent of normal, COM
az for the previous month. Losses
were generally considered about av-
erage for the past year among flocks,
being IL per cent for the state. Much
heavier losses were experienced IL
some localities of the state, especial
ly in the southeastern section. The
lamb crop for 1922 averaged rs per
cent of the number of breeding ewes
on hand a year ago. A much better
percentage is anticipated for the COM
ing spring, as the breeding season
conditions were generally favorable,
and more than usual care of the ewes
! and lambs before and through the
breeding season is being contemplated
by many owners.
The consolidated report issued by
the Denver office of the division of
crop and livestock estimates shows
improved range conditions over these
states a. a whole, all states reporting
improvement except Texas, Wyom-
ing, the Dakotas, New Mexico, Mel
vada and Washington. The condition
was 50 per cent of normal on Janu-
uary l. The normal, or 100 per cent,
does not necessarily mean that the
range is available for uSe, but may
mean also a condition free from in
jury, and with sufficient moisture to
insure a good growth of feed for the
coming season. The drouth-stricken
areas in New Mexico are mostly un-
relieved yet The condition of cattle
and Sheep for these states averaged
90 and 81 per cent, respectively. on
January /.
The report from the Chicago re-
gional office, covering the feeding
situation, indicates a still greater in
crease in the number Of sheep and
lambs on feed, compared with De-
cember 1, there now being about 80
per cent more than last year, when
feeding operations were much re-
stricted. The number of cattle and
calves on feed decreased some, due
to quite heavy marketing in Deem
br, and to the rising prices of corn.
There is 25 per cent more cattle be-
ing fed now in the corn belt states
than there were a year ago.
The annual livestock report of the
Montana COOPERATIVE Crop and Live
stock Reporting Service shows in
creaseS during the past year in the
number of mules, milk cows, sheep,
and swine on Montana's farms and
ranges; decreases in the number Of
horUes and cattle, while the total
value of all these classes Of livestock
on January /, 1923, is estimated at
S95, O24.00O. This is $10,319,000
over their values of q year ago.
The total value of the years. pro-
duction of livestock and livestock pro-
ducts, including honey, is estimated
at S53,837, 900. This amount COM
bined with the total value Of all crops
produced in 1922 gives a grand total
of Sal, $4,000, which represents the
farm value Of all the products Of the
states farms for the past year.
The livestock industry of the state
in 1922 was featured by the rapid
rises in sheep and wool values, heavy
5 liquidation in cattle, and a steady In
crease in the number of dairy cows
swine and poultry, while horses, not
regaining values lost Don after the
war, fell off in numbers.
{ More general acceptance by farm
ers of the needs and benefits of di-
versification in our farming systems
has been noticed; ana a rapidly grow
ing sentiment in favor of better live
stock, mainly through the use of pure
bred sires, is in evidence.
Range and pasture conditions in
1922 were more satisfactory than foI
. keveral years, and stock went into
winter in splendid condition, and IN
most sections are provided with suf-
! ficient feed to insure them being well
I wintered. The lamb and calf crops
! in the spring of 1922 were rather
{ light, while losses for the year were
not considered heavy except in some
{ sections whre heavy losses, especially
! of sheep and lamabs, took place.
{ Taken as a whole, the years de
: velopments in our livestock industry
I has served to clear up the chaoti'
conditions which resulted from th'
deflation of values following the war
! and whole readjustment has been Sc
Z we're to many stockmen, especially t.
! cattle-growers, most signs now poin
1 to a steady growth of our livestock
Z industry upon a more sound basis
6 than ever before.
Z Below are given the Bureaus esti
: mates of the numbers, average value
Z per had and tn total value of Mon
tana's horses, mules, cattle, sheep ans
Z Awine for January, 1928, with CORE