The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-06-15
RANGE CONDITIONS
HELD UNAVOIDABLE
AS DROUGHT REICNS
Soil Moisture and Stock Water
Depleted in Many Sections,
Says Federal Report

conditions were somewhat unfavor-
able to range and livestock over the
entire state during the month .: Nav.
The normal daily May temperature
for three first-order stations il So. 9
degrees. The average daily tempera-
ture for those same stations for May
OF this year was 53.4, or minus O.5 de-
greeS.
Precipitation was also below normal
of 2.33 inches at these same stations,
The actual rainfall measured but l,25
inches or a deficiency of 1903 inches,
which is but So per cent of the nor
NAL rainfall for this period. The
northwestern part of the state has
carried the brunt Of this shortage, as
the weather station at Williston re-
ports but AT inches during the entire
month, as against a normal of 2.O6
inches. This makes that area 81 per
cent short for the month. The con-
ditions are becoming acute for forage
and water IN that section. Some of
the ranchers are hauling water for
their stock, while others are COM
PEELED to yard feed their stock will,
feed supplies very limited. Reports
indicate that some have been forced
to sell their livestock because Of feed
and water shortage. It follows that
the soil moisture content is also very
short. not only in the northwestern
district, but generally in all sections
excepting the eastern part Of the
state.
Range conditions are likewise un-
favorable as only Is per cent of those |
reporting state that conditions are
favorable. as compared with GO per
cent reporting a favorable prospect a
year ago.
Landing Well Advanced
Landing is further advanced than
a year ago. Reporters indicate that
lambing is about 81 per cent complete
as compared with 1877 per cent a year
ago. Losses to calves and lambs have
been very light. Losses to calves are
reported as being but 70 per cent of
that Of a year ago while the losses to
lambs are but 90 per cent of last
years. Shearing Is reported as being
As per cent complete as compared
with 1877 per cent a year ago. Scat
tering reports indicate that the cash
offered for wool is 1877 cents per
pound as compared with 1872 a year
ago.
Feed on western ranges varies from
fair to very good. Ranges and pas
are generally good in Texas,
New Mexico. Arizona. Oklahoma.
western Kansas. Colorado and most
Of Wyoming. Range feed in Mon
tana. the western Dakotas and north
eastern Wyoming and western Ne
brsska has been reduced by lack Of
moisture. Unless rains improve the
dry situation. eastern Montana and
the western Dakotas will be short of
feed and stock water. West
of the Continental Divide range feed :
IS getting dry and summer range vii, :
short unless there is more mois- ,
Eastern Oregon and Nevada :
'angeS need moisture as feed IS dry.
ng fast and water holes are running
ow. Utah is fairly we'll supplied with
but summer prospects are fai- :
% good. Most Of the high ranges are
short Of snow. California feed pros
,ects are Door due to drought with
prospects of a shortage of water on
oothill and mountain passes. The
condition of ranges is 81 per cent o. 1
formal compared with "a per cent
asst month. % per cent a year ago,
2 per cent two years ago and the
ive-year average of 9o.6 per cent.
Cattle in Goor Shape
In Oklahoma. Texas. Arizona New
western Kansas. Colorado :
nd Wyoming cattle are in very good s
ondition and are making good gains. f
'exas has a large supply of grass fat {
attic. but with low prices shicments t
ave been light. Cattle have shown \
slight shrink in Montana. the west b
IN Dakotas and northwestern wy t
ming. West Of the divide cattle
ave shown little change but will lose s
lesh unless feed conditions improve. t
he calf crop is good except TIE Tex t
S CROP Is smaller than last year. The $
ondition OF cattle is 80 per cent of q