The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-07-25
JULY LIVESTOCK RE-
PORT FOR MONTANA

GACellenJ cOnQlClOn 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 a few
days ago by the Montana cooperative
crop and livestock reporting service.
Ranges are SO per cent normal. a
gain of 10 points during June. Good
rains in all sections has stimulated
grass growth, and several areas re-
port the best grass in years. Hopper
damage IN the northern part. and to a
less extent in some other localities.
and a dry period during the first half
Of June IN the eastern and southeast
ern parts, have reduced the average
condition to below normal.
Cattle are rated at SO per cent Of
normal condition, compared to 90 a
month ago. Good grass and abund-
ant water have accounted for marked
improvement. Losses among cattle
for the past six months have been
very light, averaging 8 per cent for
the state.
The calf crop saved up to July 1 is
estimated to be SO per cent of the
total number of breeding COWS on
hand last January 1, which makes
about 3 5000 calves. This years
calf crop is estimated to exceed slight
ly that of 1922. The percentage of
calves born varies greatly in the same
districts, due largely to the age and
condition of lows and bulls, methods
of handling, etc.
The first forecast as to the prob
able number to be marketed this fall
is 100000 head. This figure is sub
Ject to revision next month. Reports
from many stockmen indicate that
shipments will probably be lighter
this fall than last, since last falls
movement was quite heavy, and the
supply Of threes is short, due to the
poor calf crop three years ago; be-
sides, the supply of grass and feed is
good, so few will be forced to ship on
account of lack of feed. However,
there r several factors which may
tend to increase shipments consider
ably above the forecast. Among
these r financial pressure, general
encouragement among cattlemen. the
selling Of more two-year-olds last fall
and this, the expressed intention of
some to market yearlings as baby
beef feeders, and the trend of market
prices.
Sheep and lambs are in normal con-
ditiOn, or 100 per cent. Lambs have
been making very good growth.
Heavy rains and hail have caused SER
ious losses Of sheep and lambs in a
few localities. Losses among sheen
during the first half of the year have
been very light, not averaging 2 per
cent.
The lamb crop saved up to July l
has averaged Is per cent of the num-
Der of ewes of breeding age, as shown
by a survey of many flocks in all dis
trlcts of the state. This means that
about 1,200,0 900 Montana lambs are
starting out under favorable condi-
tl9ns. For the state as a whole, the
lamb crop is some better than it was
last year. Sheep growers from the
southwest and eastern districts report
the heaviest increase of lambs, while
smaller crops are more frequent in
the northern, central and south cen.
trail portions.
The states wool clip is estimated tt
be larger than last year, based upo1
an average weight per fleece of 3d.
pounds, and more sheep being clipped
The average weight per fleece fol
the past ten years has been T.!
pounds. The wool is of better quail
ity this year than last. Frequen
rains have delayed shearing, ant
many sheep still carried their fleese
until after July l.. Very few woo
sales were made in the state durin;
June. 1t is estimated that no NOR
than 20 per cent of the total clip hal
ONNH OAN up W bAdI UdIC. OOlSlSU
ments increased during the latter par
of June, as growers generally believ
that the fall demand for fine wool
will insure them getting the price
they T now asking.
Buyers Of feder lambs have bee
active in the state. Reported price
are mostly at 9 to 10 cents for fall de
livery. While the number of lamb
reported might indicate a larger sur
ply of feeders than usual, this is quit
offset by general intentions to hol
back more eve lambs than usua
Very few sheep growers will be force
to sell under financial pressure, or O
l account of lack of grass and feed.
FLOODS HALT TRAFFIC IN
-