The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-17
STATELVEST0CK
IN GOOD CONDITION
AFTER HARD WINTER
Rainfall Deficient Since Sep.
tember; Grass Is Slow on
Ranges in West End.
CATTLE HAVE GR0WM THIN
Cold Season Severe on Herds
in Montana, and Sheep Loss
Is Heavy Among Ewes

All North Dakota livestock is in
good condition for this period of the
year, according to the regular month";
~ range and livestock report Of Paul
G. Newman, agricultural statistician
No feed shortage is reported In any
part OF the state. Ranges are open,
but grass has not yet started growth.
Temperatures in North Dakota
ranged from 6 to 8 degrees above
normal during March, In direct con-
trast to below-normal temperatures
in the preceding two months. Precipi-
tation during March averaged above
normal for the entire state. For the
six-months period. September to Feb
ruary. inclusive. North Dakota RAIN
fall was Is per cent below normal,
with the greatest deficiency in the
western half. There is sufficient
moisture in the soil to give crops a
good start in all sections of the state.
For the II western range states,
generally, livestock is beginning to
show the effects of severe winter
and long. heavy feeding. Spring feed
Is late in starting.
Ranges in western North Dakota
are clear Of snow. but grass has not
yet started. Prospects are very favor
able. however. In western South Da-
okta late SnowstormS have held back
ranges, but spring prospects are good.
Montana ranges are late in starting
growth. Reserve moisture is less than
last year. In Wyoming ranges are
supplying little or no food, and pros
poets are for late start.
For the range states, generally.
range prospects are favorable. In the
northern half OF the area spring feed
will be two or three weeks later than
usual.
Cattle
Cattle in western North Dakota are
IN good condition, though somewhat
below one year ago. March weather
was reported favorable, except in the
southern districts In western South
/ Dakota stock is little thin and losses
nave been somewhat above average.
Liberal feeding was necessary in
March, due to heavy snoWstorms. In
Montana the winter was hard on
cattle, but losses have not been heavy.
Feed supplies will be fed up close.
Cattle are thin in Wyoming, due to
the severe winter and prolonged feed
ing. Losses have not been heavy, on
the whole, but some localities report
losses heavier than usual Heavy Ship
ments of feed continue.
For the western range area, gcncr-
ally. cattle show the effects of a hard
winter, though still in fairly good con-
dition. Losses, however, have been no
larger than usual. In Nebraska and
Texas a good calf crop is reported
Sheep
Sheep In western North Dakota
have wintered in good condition. With
favorable range and feed prospects
they Will soon pick up in flesh. Losses
have not been heavy. In Montana
sheep did not stand the winter as
well as cattle, and losses were some
what heavier, especially among old
ewes. In Wyoming sheep are thin and
breeding ewes are only in fair con-
dltion. A large part of the feeder
lambs have been contracted at liz
to 1919 cents.
For the range states, generally.
sheep show Slight shrink in flesh.
In Colorado, Nevada and Oregon
losses are reported among the range
sheep. In Nevada reduced lamb crop
is expected. Very little wool has been
contracted, but considerable per-
centage Of the feeder lambs are con-
tracted at from II to 1919 cents.
In California, due to unfavorable
feed prospects, the movement of
grass-fed cattle and early lambs will
be delayed.