Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-30
VALUE LIVES
OVER S69,OO0,OOO

THE assessed value of livestock in
Montana last year reached a little
over S69 900 900 and stOckmen reaped
the highest prices ever paid for cattle
except during the war period, says the
annual report Of the Montana livestock
commission, recently published. The
value exceeded that OF the previous
year by S6.919,476. The total number
of cattle shipped to market was 344 O04,
1912 more than III 1927.
Sheep and lambs shipped totaled L.
TX 1900, an increase of SO, 900 over the
previous year, 117,000 hogs were ex-
ported, beating the mark of 1927 by A.
900.
The cattle increase the report re-
cites, satisfactorily demonstrates that
the number of cattle being grown in
this state is IN the upgrade and with
the prospect of good prices being main
tanned, 1t Gems certain that this state
IS assured Of a continued growth in cat
Tie production for some years to come.
The price paid for all classes of cat
tie experienced a rise and those Of our
stockmen who we're SO fortunate as to
be IN a position to take advantage OF
the market before the decline in price
came, were rewarded wonderfully. At
no time did the bottom drop out Of
cattle prices and the end of the year
saw a price level about the equal of the
enc OF the preceding year. All pros
poets indicate that cattle and beef
prices will remain on q reasonably high
level for some time to come, and that
profits will be made in growing cattle
once more If the business is properly
conducted"
Good Prices for Sheep
Reporting on the sheep and wool
raising, the commission says.
The woolgrower enjoyed continued
prosperity III 1928. The price received
from lambs and wool continued strong
and all indications point toward q
steady market on lambs and mutton.
With a slight lowering in the price of
WOOL. The past year showed increased
production and naturally, a relatively
heavy supply of lambs. However, the
entire lamb crop was marketed at fair
ly stable prices
A total Of 2,877 in stray stock was
gathered and received by the agent Of
the commission and claims settled on
2,295 OF them. Claims pending total
SIS, 1925
The livestock census shows Beaver
head with the greatest number of cat
tie and sheep of all Montana counties.
Be%averhead reported 2,762 cattle with
Big Horns total of 57,369 in second
place. Valley county in 1923 had the
greatest number OF horses, 1895, and
Philips county was second with 10
979. Beaverhead sheep population was
l7O,304 and that of Madison 136.O76.
which took second. Daniels with 5.42g
had the largest number of swine and
Ravall was second. 1t has 5,O91.
Totals OF Lewis and Clark county
show 23,l8O cattle, 4,520 horses, 100 TAG
sheep and 882 swine.
Many Coyotes Exterminated
A total of sl5,684 was paid hunters
d trappers IN bounties for 1902 coy
oteS and four mountain lions, No
wolves were caught. The greatest
number of coyotes were exterminated
in Fallon county, 1,024 Of them. Scalps
numbering 3,l73 were taken during the
year by predatory animal hunters.
a report on predatory animal control
follows:
During the year there was expended
by the livestock commission for pre-
datory animal control wofk the sum Of
S24, 49, .02. From the sale of furs taken
by its hunters, the commission received
the sum of s6,114.27. In the past suf-
flclent funds have not been available
to employ a force of hunters which
could cover the entire state. 1t has been
necessary to transfer hunters from one
part Of the state to another.
THE work of the biological survey
in Montana has at all times been high
ly satisfactory. The chief complaint
registered against it in the state has
concerned the limited scope of its ac-
t~ivities, which in no way reflects upon
the force maintained. To the biological
survey is u most of the credit for rid
ding Montana of wolves. This alone
has justified expenditures In the state /"
uroaf khinn ic ~-ae A.-i -.