The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-06-27
CONDITION CATTLE
GENERALLY GOOD
RANGES RATED AS 90 PER CENT
OF NORMAL, THREE PER CENT
BETTER THAN LAST JUNE
Cattle rated at 104 as compared with
80 year ago; Grasshoppers men,
ace feed in some sections; Lamb
Crop above normal

during May, being rated at 93 per
cent of normal on june 1, COM
pared to 80 year ago. Lack of
rain in May, together with unsea-
sonably low temperatures result
ed in short grass in all of the west
ern, southwestern, and most of the
north central counties, and delayed
growth over the entire state, ac-
cor1ing to the June stock and
range report issued few days ago
by George A. Scott of the Montana
Cooperative crop and livestock
reporting service.
In the territory drained by the
Yellowstone and it's tributaries grass
is considered the best in years, while
in central and northeaster counties
ranges are furnishing sufficient feet
but are late. Grasshoppers are ou
in menacing numbers in parts of the
north central, western and south
western districts, in the Lewis an6
Clark-J Jefferson region, and in spots
in other sections, but little injury tC
range grass has been done to date
Since June /, general rains, which
were heaviest in the north central re-
gion, have improved range conditions
wonderfully over the entire state.
Cattle Conditions
Cattle are reported to be in very
good shape, but did not make normal
gains during May, because of the
short grass. A few cattle are re-
ported to be in rather thin condition
yet. The condition rating for cattle
on June 1 was 104 compared with
107 of May 1, and with SO year ago.
The calf crop is generally better than
last year, and losses have been light.
There are signs of increasing conf
dence in the cattle game. There is
little local trading in cattle, but some
usual spring shipments of young feed
ers have gone to corn belt states.
Sheep and Lambs
Sheep and lambs continue to show
excellent condition, being rated at
LOG on June 1, compared with 108 a
month ago, and to 81 a year ago.
The backward season resulted in sub
normal gains during May. Reports
indicate that the 1924 lamb crop has
D60n dUON0 nOI lldl, Will llSuI lOSOCo
the rule. Little shearing had been
done prior to June 1. Fleeces are very
satisfactory, both as to quality and
weight. Wool buying continued SLOW
ly, reported prices ranging from 38
to 43 cents, and averaging a little
better than 401a cents. Contracting
for lambs was slow, and apparently
about 20 per cent of the available
supply has been contracted for fall
delivery. Prices range between 1-2
and 10 IL cents. Growers have held
for still higher offers.
District Reports
The following summary of CORES
pondents' comments by districts
were:
Northwestern district-Ranges are
very dry, grass short particularly on
lower ranges, and cattle beginning to
show effects of lack of sufficient
grass. Crickets and hoppers are bad
in spots. Calf crop generally good;
losses light.
North central district-Grass is
slow, but good in Bear Paw region,
and in western Teton, Pondera and
Glacier, but very short in the "Tri-
angle" section. Range injury by
hoppers is feared in several counties
in this district. There have been some |
losses of calves and lambs, but these |
generally have been light. Stock is |
molly in good shape.
Northeastern district-Grass very |
good, but little slow. Stock in good |
shape with satisfactory calf crops and |
good lamb crops reported, and losses
light.
West central district-Stock in
very good shape although lower
ranges very dry. Good lamb and calf
crops with small losses.
Hoppers Are Busy.
Central district-Ranges quite dry
and grass short in the Broadwater-
Jefferson section, and hoppers are
to injure the range in
parts of this region. Cattle here not
making satisfactory gains, but sheep
holding up well. Low ranges dry in
Lewis and Clark and Meagher, and
some cattle reported thin. Through
he central counties grass is late but
he outlook is excellent for good
'anges later, and stock generally in '
inc condition. Excellent lamb crops {
ire the rule in this district and calf !,
;rops are generally good; losses have !
been light.
East central district--Grass has not l
made satisfactory growth due to the +
cold spring, but soil moisture re-
erves are good. Calf and lamb crops
good to excellent. A few
attle reported to be thin yet; losses /
light. +
Southwestern district-All stock !;
eported in fine condition, but the :
anges getting very dry as the spring e
ainfall has been much below normal
specially in Beaverhead county. "
Iamb crop excellent; calf crop good. 1,
irass east of the Tobacco range bet
er than west.
Grass Crop Late
South central district-Grass is t
ate, but there is sufficient soil mois- 4
ure, with the exception of very few
pots. Stock in good condition. Elk
client lambing general; calf crop {
tile above normal, with generally "
ght loses reported extreme south "
asst Carbon county.
Southeastern district-All ranges
l excellent condition, but grass s.