, 1926-03-31
RANGE AND
LIVESTOCK REPORT

with iaVoraple weather prevailing
during the month, Wyoming ranges
were cleared of much of its snow
cover and cattle and sheep continu-
ed in very good condition accord
ing to the regular Monthly Range
and Livestock Report issued by the
Wyoming Crops and Livestock Re-
porting Service.
With mostly mild and pleasant
weather during the enti re month
of February the snow on the range
cleared off considerably and much
feed was made available. The con-
dition of the range on March 1 is
reported at SO percent of normal
or the same as one month ago.
A year ago due to very favorable
weather there was an improvement
of three points to. 90. percent DUR
ing February. Much of the snow
has drifted leaving feed available
and supplying water for livestock.
However, where the grass has been
covered for some time, it is badly
water soaked and of not much val
ne. The heaviest snow fall during
the month fell over the south west
SNA NAo ~ ~ Palll
of the state. In general conditions
were favorable for livestock but
feeding was heavy and some shrink
g in cattle occurred.
The amount of hay left on farms
and ranches is estimated at around
40 percent of the 1925 crop, or
about $4,000 tons as compared
with As percent one year ago or
about 100000 tons. The district
reporting below 40 percent are CEN
trail, east and southeast where, due
to almost a continued snow cover,
feeding has beeen unusually heavy
all winter. In Natrona, Sweetwater
and Laramie counties it has been
necessary for some to ship in enough
hay along with such concen-
trater as cotton seed cake and corn
to supply stock for the balance of
the winter season. An early spring
with the abundance of moisture
now in the soil will relieve condi-
lions considerably and some locali-
ties will have a of hay.
Last year the surplus amounted to
about 80 percent of the previous
years crop.
The temporary moderating condi-
ton of the weather is reflected in
hat of cattle as this class of stock
improved one point in conditions
during the month. 1t is reported
at 95 percent of normal now and
compares with SO percent on both
February 1 and March l a year
ago. The partial clearance of the
range of snow and continued plea
SAINT weather have been very favor
able for cattle. Feeding is general
but cattle are in good shape, some
almost fat. Losses generally have
been almost neglible but in some
localities a few calves have been
lost. The outlook for cattle is much
brighter than it has been for the
past several years as the number of
steers have been decreased, there
is a strong tendency to restock with
breeding stock, prices are at the
beginning of an upward swing and
generally cattlemen are very opti-
mistic.
The condition of sheep remains
the same as that reported a month
ago, 95 percent of normal, while
a year ago during this time an
improvement of five points to 80
percent was reported. The heavy
snow cover on the range early
in the season has caused heavy feed
ing and sheep have just held their
high condition. Taking the State
as a whole losses have been light
but a few sections report some loss
from exposure. Some shed Landing
has started and the prospects are
for a very good crop. Very little
contracting for either lambs or wool
has been done SO far. A few offers
have been made at prices below
those at which contracts were made
last year. Generally; however, the
outlook is for lambs and wool to
do almost as well in 1926 as they
did.