The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-02-26
FEBRUARY LIVESTOCK
And RANGE SUMMARY

some improvement in February COM
pared with a month ago, cattle at
90 per cent of a normal and sheep at
1O2 per cent, each gaining a point,
while ranges at 90 per cent of a nor
NAL averaged two points gain, &C
cording to the monthly summary is
sued by Jay G. Diamond, agricul-
tural statistician for the Montana
Crop and Livestock reporting SER
vice. Hay and feed supplies, as a
percentage of the amount needed
for the balance of winter feed re-
quirements, are reported as being
more than this amount for the east
ern part of the state, and either
equal to or a little less than this
amount in localities west of the on
tinental divide. On the whole the
feed situation is being considered
as quite satisfactory. Summary
of conditions in western, central and
eastern Montana follows:
Western Montana
Hay supplies and other feeds are
holding out better than was expected
in Beaverhead and Madison counties,
due to the mild weather which has
conserved the shorter supplies. Con-
siderable stock, however, was moved
earlier in the a to other parts
of the state for winter feeding and
some stock was forced to market
aao,.- &c eho,~4 faaI Snnyu in
the mountains throughout the west
ern area is reported favorable for
spring range and irrigation. Low
prices and poor demand for beef,
and high prices for hay, are noted
in reporters comments throughout
most of this section. Winter losses
of stock to date have apparently
averaged somewhat less than usual.
Prices quoted on local sales in the
B~eaverhead country, range from a
to 5h for feeder steers and up to
6h for fat steers, with but few
reports of sales of calves and cows.
Breeding ewes of desirable type are
being held at $14.00 and over. Lo-
cal prices for hay range mostly from
$40 to SIS in the stack.
Central Montana
Cattle and sheep throughout this
area are wintering for the most part
in excellent shape with a surplus of
feed reported generally. january
weather was comparatively mild and
greatly reduced the snow in
the lower elevations permitting a
rather wide use of lower ranges and
pastures. Snow in the mountains
is heavy enough in most localities
to insure a good supply of water for
needs. Winter losses of cat
tie and sheep are reported generally
as being much lighter than usual.
Very few local sales of cattle are
reported. In south central localities
1925 lambs have been contracted
at 10c to lie, and a few higher
than this range. Straight wether
lambs are bringing II y cto lie, and
breeding ewes are reported scarce
at $14. Some 1925 wool has been
lOI dI ClOoc W cOSJ 81
a large amount apparently
sold under this figure on earlier con-
Prices for hay range mostly
SO to $12 in the stack.
Eastern Montana
Mild weather and high winds dur
ing January resulted in the disap-
pearance of the snow cover in this
area and has permitted of a large
of ranges and pastures.
Cattle and sheep have wintered I'M
well and there promises to
be a moderately large carryover of
hay in many localities. The winter
of stock have been relatively
light. Local sales of cattle as re-
ported were too few to establish an
average price. Hay prices in the
stack range mostly between 81 and
$40.