The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-02-15

Livestock on western ranges and
ranches were in good condition and
have wintered well due to generally
good weather conditions and an
ample supply of feed, according to
the monthly livestock and range re
port to- the l.. s. division of crop
and livestock estimates released
through the office of Paul c. New
man, statistician for North Dakota.
Ranges
North Dakota weather during Jan
uary was unfavorable to livestock.
Ranges are snow covered and stock
is feeding from straw stacks. Range
conditions continues to decrease and
the February first report indicates Il
three point drop during January. In
South Dakota there is very little
snow on the range. The hay and
feed supply is holding out well due
to favorable winter but water Is
scarce in the eastern part. Montana
reports severe weather during Janu-
airy which neccssitated considerable
feeding. Little hardship to stock.
Wyoming ranges but lightly covered
with snow except in the west and
southwest. Ranges open in many
places.
For the seventeen western states
the ranges have generally supplied
sufficient feed for all livestock on
the ranges up to the close of Janu-
airy and feeding has generally been
light, except in spots where dry con-
ditions cut the 1926 grass crop.
Snow during January covered much
of the North Dakota, Oregon and
Washington ranges and spots in Mon
tana, and provided water on the
desert sheep ranges of Utah, Nevada,
Idaho and Wyoming. In the. south
west range feed is good and there
is sufficient moisture to give early
feed to a good start in California
Texas and Arizona. The condition
of ranges were &c per cent of nor
NAL against SIS per cent last month
81 per cent year ago and n pei
cent two years ago.
Supplies of hay and feed in tho
western states have generally beer
ample except in North Dakota and ;
few spots in Montana, western Kan
sas and western Nebraska where thu
1926 crop was short. Washington
feed supply will be fed close and il
Utah and Idaho the large carryovel
from 1926 will take care Of the 1922
shortage. Wyoming and Colorado
have a surplus of hay. In the south
west and California there is al
abundance of feed.
Cattle
North Dakota cattle showed con
siderable shrinkage during January
South Dakota cattle are wintering il
good shape. Montana cattle are il
very good condition and are winter
ing in good shape with losses abou
as usual. Wyoming cattle are o
light feed in most sections and stock
men are very optimistic.
In general cattle in the seventee
western range states have wintere
we'll to the close of January an
losses are smaller than usual. Tn
severe weather in January cause
some shrinkage in North Dakota ca
tie. while cold rains caused sigh
seasonal decline in Texas. Cattl
condition ranges from fair to Yer
good generally. In the southwe:
they are in much better shape tina
q year ago. West Of the Divide ca
tie are not in as good condition as
year ago. Texas has good deman
Tor cattle to restock ranges an
there is some local tendencies to r
stock in other states. The cattle 81
nation generally has a little bette
tone than q year ago with strong'
/ demand for breeding stock. The col
6itfon OF cattle II IS per cent Of no
nal compared with 30 per cent Ia
month, 90 per cent . year ago, ar
81 per cent two years ago.