The Delta independent., 1924-07-11
LOSS SUFFERED BY
RANGE CATTLE SHOWN

RADIO, New Mexico and Oklahoma, Tor
1922. show it cost prairie ranchmen
in that year an outlay of $27.9S to pro-
duce calf which sold on the ranch
for S215O. 1t cost cattlemen operating
mountain ranches a cash outlay of
s31.6S to produce calf which sold
for $25. Prairie ranches thus lost
S6.4S per calf and mountain ranches
$6.6S per calf In addition to this
loss, the ranch proprietors received no
interest on their investment and no
return for their own labor
Production costs differed widely on
the ranches studied. One ranch with
a calf crop of 20 per cent, had a gross
cost per calf of $3.50, while another
ranch, which had calf crop of only
Sc per cent, had a gross cost per calf
of s6612. Methods of managing the
breeding herd, says the department
were largely responsible for this diff
ference in cost. In general, 1t is de
clared the size OF the calf crop, the
winter feed bill and the labor cost
were the factors having the most in
fluence on the cost OF calf production.
On II prairie ranches the cost per
calf varied from s19.46 to $3.50, while
on "a mountain ranches the cost
varied from s2s.66 to s6612.
On the II prairie ranches the ay-
erage annual gross cost of carrying a
COW was s2O15 This total included
leases paid on land. actual interest
paid on land and cattle, interest on
the operators investment, and a
charge for the labor OF the operator
for work actually done. On the noun
tain ranges the annual gross cost Of
carrying a COW was s3.5S more than
on the prairie ranches. This higher
cost was mainly due to the greater
expense OF feed and labor required in
handling cattle on the mountain
ranches.
Breeding herds on the ranches, says
the department. compared fayorably
with the best cattle owned by western
stock growers. The value Of breeding
COWS on the mountain ranches varied
from s33 to s72 per head. with an
average value OF s4S97. The value OF
the bulls averaged from $50 to s29s.
Some individual bulls cost as high as
$3.50 to $500.
Costs on some ranches were greatly
Increased by billiards. which destroy
ed many calves at calving time. On
some forest ranges there was a heavy
death loss from larkspur and other
poisonous plants, Much loss from the
poisonous plants, says the department.
can be avoided by fencing the worst
patches, herding cattle away from
them, or grubbing scattered larkspur-
Many areas in the national forests
in Colorado the department says.
should be controlled by means OF
fences wherever practical. Any
change that would enable stockmen to
fence and improve their leased forest
land so that they can protect their
herds. would help to cut production
costs materially. The department
says long term leases, under con
ditions holding each ranchman re-
sponsible for the part he occupies.
would encourage the protection Of
the carrying capacity of the forest
ranges.
In order that cattlemen may operate
on the national forests efficiently. Il
Is said. they should be permitted to
Craze a large enough number OF cattle
10 make an efficient and economic
unit II compelled to reduce their
herds below this limit, their operating
costs become prohibitive.
The principal causes OF overgrazing,
It is noted, are early grazing, poor
distribution OF stock too many stock,
and improper handling OF stock due
in part to lack OF range improvements,
Better utilization OF the range. says
the department, will help ranchmen TO
reduce their production costs. Ami.
mails in good flesh Il is pointed out,
usually sell to advantage. While no
more feed should be fed In the winter
than is necessary to keep stock in a
thrifty condition, the department says
II is not economy to let animals get
too thin. II urges that serious con
sidcration should be given means for
increasing the calf crop by better
management OF breeding herds.
This can be done. It Is declared. by
cullinE non-pnoductive cows. by pro
viding the proper amount OF range To
maintain the cattle in good flesh, by
owning enough good wellbred bulls
and by holding the breeding herd in
small pastures before turning them out
on the open range.
On the ranges covered ON this study
tho average rate OF turnover OF capt
tai was very low. II was 90 per cent
on the prairie ranches and 13 per
cent on the mountain ranches This
low turnover was partially due tC
the low prices prevailing for cattle