The Carbon County chronicle. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1924, 1924-10-29
RANGES AND STOCK
OF MONTANA SHOW
A GOOD CONDITION
RANGES IN EASTERN MONTANA
EXCELLENT; WEST OF THE
DIVIDE REPORTS FAIR
Grass Fat Cattle Are Reported In
Good Condition.; Keen Demand for
Breeding Ewes and Inquiry for
Feeder Stuff.

part OF the state, but west oil tne
divide where grass has been short
and hay crops light, the situation
is not so favorable, according to
reports from stockmen throughout
the state to the Montana cooper
alive crop and livestock reporting
service. A summary of these re-
ports for the state and comments
from the various districts follows:
Ranges--October / condition av-
erages 80 per cent of normal COM
pared with 80 per cent a month ago
and "a per cent year ago. Grass
continues to be reported short gener-
ally In the region west of the Con-
tinenta1 divide, on the lower or win
ter range. and this situation COM
bined with the light hay crops. es-
pecially in the southern half of this
area is now causing some concern.
East of the main range there are q
a few bad spots extending southeast
ward from the northcentral to the
south central counties, but in gener
al, the situation here is somewhat
better than the average, while
throughout the eastern third of the
state there is reported surplus of
range and feed.
CatfIe---October / condition of cat
tie averages 100 per cent of norm
al compared with 101 per cent a
month ago and SO per cent year
ago. Grass fat cattle are reported
generally in very good condition OF
flesh and as having hardened for the
most part rapidly on well cured
grass. Movement of cattle to mar
ket is now assuming volume from
virtually all important shipping dis
tricts. While fall and early winter
movement is expected TO fall some
what under that of the same period
last season. some central counties,
notably Meagher and judith Basin,
are now expecting somewhat larger
m arketings than last year and there
has also been a somewhat heavier
marketing than expected from some
of the western counties due to the I'M
favorable range and feed conditions.
Quality of this seasons marketings is
generally considered high, except
where ranges were reduced by drouth
conditions
Sheep-October ! condition aver
ages 101 per cent of normal COM
pared with 102 month ago and 102
year ago. Cold weather during
September was reported In few in
stances as having held down weights
in case of lambs. but on the whole
weights are expected to average bet
ter than usual in all important dis
All 4xx A1
western localities where feed has
been short. Shipments Of both sheep
and lambs have started. There APP
pears to be considerable inquiry for
feeder stuff and keen demand for
breeding ewes OF desirable age and
quality. Lamb prices as indicated by
the report comments are running
mostly 91a to ii cents. Breeding
ewes of desirable age and quality are
reported scarce at offerings Of $40
to s11.50.
Comments BY Districts.
Northwest District flour counties)
Recent rains have helped some To-
calities but fall grass still reported
short In many instances. Hay sup
plies in general are somewhat short,
however, with few localities re-
porting SURPRISES. Shipments of cat
tie and lambs continue and in a few
cases herds are being sold down close
owing TO the local feed situation.
North Central District (eight coun-
ties) Feed and range situation on
whole better than usual though
somewhat spotted. Reports of sur
plus hay and range come mainly from
points In Glacier, Pondera, Teton and
Blaine counties. Glacier reports the
wintering Of some Oregon cattle.
Cattle still moving to market, but
peak of movement has passed.
Northeast District Give counties)
Northeastern group OF counties
have best feed and rage situation in
recent years and could winter con-
siderable outside cattle.
West Central District (six coun-
ties) Hay supplies generally re-
ported short and lower ranges poor
due to earlier dry weather damage.
Some favorable reports from points
in Powell, Missoula and Ravalli
counties. Cattle and sheep, howev-
err, coming off higher ranges report
ed In good shape.
Central District (ten counties from
divide east to Musselsheli river -
Hay supplies considered generally
sufficient for normal winter needs,
but winter ranges reported short or
spotted in most counties iii this group
except principally Fergus and Mus
selshell and parts of Cascade and
Judith Basin counties. Cattle ship
ments continue fairly heavy. Meagh-
err and Judith Basin counties report
| ing somewhat larger marketings than
last year. Condition of stuff moving
to markets reported generally good.
Inquiry for fee er sheep reported
good as also local demands for
breeding stock.
East Central District (six coun-
ties) -Genral hay, feed and range
situation very good throughout most
OF the district Some short grass re-
ported from McCone county. Market
movement of cattle is we'll under
way and shipments Of sheep and
lambs have started.
Southwestern District (Beaverhead
Madison and silver Bow )-Hay sup
plies somewhat smaller than usual
which combined with poor conditions
of winter ranges has resulted in heav.
Ter marketings Of stock as well al
shipments to eastern Montana foI
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