, 1926-02-17
WYOMING RANGE AND
LIVESTOCK REPORT

Wyoming ranges are about two
thirds closed but cattle and sheer
due to heavy feeding are hoIdins
up well, according to the monthly
Livestock and Range report issued
by the Wyoming Crops and Live.
stock reporting service. Rather
mild temperatures have prevailed
and losses of livestock have been
light. Feed is abundant in nearly
every section although the supply
Is being drawn upon quite heavily.
The condition of the range de-
clined three points to S3 percent
of normal during the past thirty
days. A year ago during this
period an improvement OF n point
to SO percent was reported. Ere
quent snow flurries during the
month with the heaviest SHOWS in
the northeast and Star Valley dis
tricts have all but completely COW
cred the range There are, how
ever, a few bare spots in several
southwestern districts but rather
detrimental elsewhere. The range
in eastern and southeastern coun-
ties has been practically covered
for nearly two months and feeding
has been heavy.
Hay is in abundance in every
district, there being a slight short
age only in a few sections in the
northeastern district and in Laramie
county. In the latter feeding has
been heavy for some time and it
has been necessary to import such
concentrates as ~cottonseed cake and
corn. Mild temperatures through
out the winter so far has helped
livestock and lessened feeding con-
%siderably. 1t is not expected that
there will be much carryover of
hay this year except in western
counties. Last year this surplus
amounted to about 80 percent of
the crop. ,7
CATTLE deteriorated two points
in condition during January and
are reported at "a percent of nor
NAL now. Last year during this
time, due to very favorable wealth
er, they made an improvement of
three points to 90 percent of nor
NAL. Short range feed, due to
heavy snow cover and cold wealth
er have caused considerable shrink
age in cattle. Most all classes are
on feed and have been for some
time. Losses, however, have been
negligible or lighter than usual
which condition is due largely to
the fact that cattle started the win
ter in a strong healthy condition.
Cattlemen as a rule are optimistic
as to the future of the industry
for the central markets have been
showing quite favorable increases
in prices. A prosperous season
seems to be in sight.
The condition of sheep declined
four points during the past month.
from 80 percent to 95 percent of
normal. Twelve months g an i'm
provement of three points to 90
percent was reported. Sheep have
Jared somewhat better than cattle
and feeding has not been SO heavy.
Many reports that sheep are holding
their own and continue in good con-
dition have been received. Also
losses, so far have been light. Aged
ewes have suffered most which is
to be expected. 1t has been re-
ported that some contracting of
lambs at around IL cents has been
done but it is not as general as
1t vas a year ago. Very little wool
has been contracted for SO far but
thai which has, went at a good
price.
Comments from Correspondents
Northwest
BIG HORN co: Snow depth on
range varies from a trace to eight
inches, plenty of feed and hay at
reasonable prices. All stock doing
well, winter mild SO far, prospects
very favorable. HOT SPRINGS CO.
Range closed, snow from six to
eighteen inches deep. most stock
on feed. Have ample supply of
feed and hay. stock w%intering well,
losses small. PARK CO: Very little
snow, two to six inches deep, feed