The Carbon County chronicle. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1924, 1924-09-03
WEST WILL SHIP
FEWER CATTLE TO-
EASTERN MARKETS
sTATIsTICIAN's REPORT STATES
SHEEP SHIPMENTS WILL BE
LARGER THAN IN 1923
Half Million Less Cattle and 775,000
More Sheep VIII Be Placed on the
Market. Final Returns of Corn
Crop VIII Guage Actual Shipments

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Half million fewer head of cat
tie will be marketed from the west
ern region during the last half of
1924 than were shipped from that
area in the similar period last year,
while sheep loadings from the
same territory will be increased by
775,000, according to estimates re-
Gently coming from the office of
@. l.. Harlan livestock statistician
for the United States department
of agriculture.
Harlan's estimate is based on re-
ports from different states covering
the situation as of August l, af-
fecting range and feed conditions,
financial condition of stockmen, es-
timated supplies of cattle and sheep
and expressed intentions of growers
as to numbers to be marketed.
May Change Later.
Changed conditions subsequent
to August /, may alter the situa-
tion," says the Harlan report, land
the number that will be actually
marketed may be greater or less
than this estimate, depending on the
prices OF cattle and sheep, supplies
OF feed and financial developments. "
The region covered by the esti-
mate includes the states of North Da-
kota, Oklahoma and Texas, the
greater portion of Nebraska and Kan
sas, and all states west of there. "A
different situation is indicated in
various areas in this western region, .
the report continues. I'm seven of
the states west of the continental di-
vide, the greater part of whose cat
tie usually move to the Pacific coast
or local markets, the number of cat
tie to be marketed is indicated as
larger than last year.
This situation is due to the
drouth conditions prevailing In near
Iy all OF this area, and the prospect
I've high prices of feed and low prices
for cattle.
Feed Plentiful Here.
elm the area including the western
parts of South Dakota. Nebraska and
the states of North Dakota, Montana,
Wyoming and Colorado 1t is estimat-
ed that $4,000 fewer cattle will be
shipped this year than last. In most
OF these states winter range feed
promises to be fairly plentiful and
supplies of hay and forage sufficient
for the winter needs.
Since such a large part of the
western cattle are stockers and feed
ers, the demand for such stock in
the corn belt will be a big factor in
determining the actual marketing OF
western cattle. The extent and the
character OF this demand is at pre-
sent very uncertain and will so re-
main until the outcome of the corn
crop can be more definitely deter
mined. Supplies of pasture, hay and
Toughage are quite large through
ont most of the corn belt and cattle
will be needed to utilize them.
IF there is large supply of I'M
marketable Ssoft corn, as now seems
probable, in most of the states east
OF the Missouri river, a big demand
for feeder cattle for q short feed will
presumably develop. But the pros
pective high market prices for sound
corn will tend to reduce the demand
for feeders In the states that produce
1t. The best corn prospects at pre-
sent are west of the Missouri river
and these states we're very large pur-
ehasers OF feeder cattle last year.
Lamb Crop Larger.
1.-THE lamb crop was larger this
year than last because of the in.
crease in the number raised and an
enlargement of the number of breed.
ing ewes. In a number OF these
states the number OF lambs raised 1:
estimated at more than 10 per CEN
above last year. The feed condi
lions west of the continental divide
as on cattle. In he face OF this sit
uation 1t is the expressed intention
OF sheep growers in this area to mar
ket very closely this year and to cul
their breeding herds carefully.
TN the areas east of the contin
entail divide the winter feed situa
fion is much more favorable and tn
increased marketing there will prob
ably be In proportion to Increases
lambs saved. In these states, how
ever, the cost of hay and and graf
promises to be much greater tina
last year, which may tend to produc
larger movement of aged ewes
The demand for lambs will be a yer
important factor in determining tn
price of all western lambs and Wi
influence considerably the actua
marketing OF western lambs. Thi
demand is as yet quite uncertain an
will SO continue, as with cattle, III
til the corn situation is fully deve
ODed -