The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-16
WEATHER BENEFITS
LIVESTOCK IN N. D,
Warmth of Open Winter, PIenti-
fuI Feed Supplies, Brighten
Outlook for Ranchers

Grand Forks, N. D., March 16.-
Warm weather during February ben
Gifted livestock, according to the
range and livestock report, issued
Monday by the office of the federal
agricultural Statistician here.
February, like January, goes down
IN the records as being the warmest
on record in the state, covering a per-
iod OF SO years. The normal temper
allure for February is 10 degrees
above zero while the mean for the
month was $50. This gives a depar-
ture of plus 2l.1 degrees. The precip-
itation for the month was also abb
normal in that it fell far below the
normal of 40 inches with its 81 inch.
While this Is not the lowest on rec
ord yet it falls in that class. During
the 81 years Of record at the Moor
head weather station, only IA Febru-
orys have been as low or lower. At
Williston, with So years of record
only 3 7 as low or lower.
All the reports received at the Of
flee indicate that February was q
favorable month for livestock. Nine
ty-one per cent of the ranges and
pastures are free from snow and
most of the remaining snow and ice
was found in the northeastern section
of the state.
The general condition of the breed
ing cattle is good, as indicated by the
reporters, as this is the opinion Of
rs per cent Of the reporters while %
per cent state the breeding cattle to
be in fair condition, and the balance
believe the stock to be in poor condi-
ton. The same holds true for the
breeding sheep as Is per cent of the
reports state they are in good condi-
ton, 81 per cent believe them to be
fair, and the remainder state they
are in poor condition.
There will probably not be any ma
terial increase in the selling of either
breeding cattle or sheep as 81 per
cent of the reporters stated that they
expected to hold their stock. The
remainder feel that they will have to
sell some to raise the necessary cap
ital to carry on the work unless out
side aid a be had. There will be
some selling of inferior stock in these
forced sales. There was no mention
Of encouragement in the livestock in
dustry, so it may be concluded that
the livestock industry will ride along
on a more or less even keel for the
coming year.
Feed Supplies Fair
There Is more apprehension as to
the food supplies than there was a
month ago, as IA per cent of those re-
porting feel that there is likely to be
some shortage If the spring Is unfav-
orable, so far as their own farms or
ranches are concerned. These same
reporters, however, stated that there
was sufficient feed and forage In
their communities to carry the stock
through. Stock water appears to be
ample in all sections of the state with
the exception of the east-central and
the southeast parts of the state, where
there is a threatened shortage.
The conditions prevailing in this
state as to weather. food supplies and
condition of livestock r general In
South Dakota, Wyoming and Mon
lana with variable conditions prevail
ing in the remainder of the range
states.
Cattle and Calves
That the cattle in North Dakota
are maintaining their early winter
condition so late In the season should
be very encouraging to the Stockmen
as the time Is relatively short now
before the cattle and sheep can
again be turned to ranges and pos
lures. The condition of the cattle In
North Dakota is IS per cent Of nor
NAL which is the same as that of q
month ago. 6 points higher than a
year ago and 1.6 points above the
five-year average.
Sheep and Lambs
Sheep in North Dakota have win
tered we'll with few losses and are In
good condition, as the reporters indi-
cate that the condition figure Is 86
per cent of normal as compared with
IS a month ago and 81 a year ago.
and $50 for the five-year period.
SUCCUMBS IN MINOT