The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-16

North Dakota livestock. were re-
ported in fair condition agenerafiy on
April first Range. conditions show
considerable improvement with pros
poets for spring range fair. There
is plenty Of moisture and supply of
stock water is ample. Feed supplies
continue short in nearly all sections
Of the state according to the regu-
lar monthly report Of the United
States Division Of Crop and Lives ock
estimates released through the office
of Paul c. Newman, statistician.
Ranges
Range condition in North Dakota
improved considerably during March.
The Improvement was general The
last of the winter snow disappeared,
but the grass has not yet started to
grow: Prospects for spring range
are fair. South Dakota soil condi-
tions are dry, especially in the south
central and southwestern sections.
In Montana spring range pre- spects
are very good. Soil moisture is good.
Feed supplies are good exccp: in the
In Wyoming moisture and range
northeastern section. ~
In general throughout the range
area spring prospects are very good
and livestock are moving to spring
feed in very good condition. There
is generally a good supply of .,nois.
ture. During March added moisture
relieved the dry situation in eastern
Montana, western Nebraska, western
Kansas and gave much needed nois-
ture in Utah, Idaho and Nevada. The
feed situation in Texas is unusually
good, with good prospects in New
Mexico and Arizona. The region
west of the Continental Divide has a
much more promising range outlook
for the coming. summer than It had
a year ago. A few dry spots are re.
ported from eastern Colorado, the
Texas Panhandle and northeastern
Wyoming. In Texas, Colorado and
large amount Of hay and
other feeds have been carried over.
Cattle ~
The condition Of North Dakota cat.
tie on April first was reported the
same as on March first. An i'm.
proved condition is indicated over
the entire .range area, but de-
creased condition in the more diver
sified sections lowers the state aver
age to the same condition as reported
4 month ago. Losses have been sea.
sonal. South Dakota cattle wintered
we'll with light losses. Montana cat.
lie are in good comb tion With prom.
Use of good calf crop. In Wyom.
ing cattle are in excellent condition
and a large calf crop is expected.
In the IL states comprising the in
termountain or range area cattle are
going onto spring feed in good con.
dition. Breeding cows ale in good
shape and prospects are good for a
large calf crop. Winter and early
spring losses have been light, anu IN
the dry areas concentrated feeds
have made it possible to carry the
cattle through in good flesh. The
cattle business seems to be getting
On a little firmer basis with better
prices for stock cattle and slight
tendency to restock. Fed cattle from
western feed lots are bringing al
much better return to the feeders
Than year ago. The spring move
ment from the southwest will be
lighter than last spring, but the cat
lie will be in better condition than
ast season. >t
Sheep a,'e 4:'
North Dakota sheep are in fair1
A one per cent gain over
the March first condition is indicat.
ID in the April first report. Losses
have been seasonal in general though
he losses of old ewes have been
above average in some sections. mi
south Dakota sheep losses have been
light during the winter. Early lamb /
ing is progressing favorably. Some
wool has been contracted at 80 to IS
cents per pound. Few lambs have
been contracted. Montana sheep arc
in good condition and a good lamb
,roP is expected. Wyoming sheep !
is excellent and d large
anb crop is expected. Over So per
:ent Of wool has been contracted at |
30 to SO cents. Probably one-thirdi
of the 1927 lamb crop has been con
:racted at 10 to II cents.
Sheep on the ranges in the III
western range states are generally in
very good condition and during
March, sheep in Texas showed a
marked gain. Breeding ewes are in
very good condition and early lamb
ing has generally resulted in large
ri. = il