The Bismarck tribune., 1931-05-15
WEATHER CONDITIONS
!. DURING APRIL HELD
BAD FOR LIVESTOCK
Cold Nights and Lack Of Precip.
itation Held Back Growth
Of Grass

F6TSO, N. ~, May 1o.-xue May
first range and livestock report issued
by the Federal Crop and Livestock
Statistician's office here. indicates
that April was not as favorable q
month for livestock enterprises as was
March, due to the cold nights and the
general lack Of precipitation over
the state save for the southeast Sec
ton where good rains were reported.
These conditions retarded grass
growth which further aggravated the
short feed supplies.
Temperatures were above normal
with daily plus Of 80 degrees. This
was offset by the nearly freezing tenn
peratures which prevailed during the
nights. During the latter half Of the
month nine Of the Is days had freez-
ing temperatures or lower. Livestock
reporters indicate In their comments
that ranges and pastures are very dry.
There Is q decided lack Of subsoil
moisture throughout tho state. The
normal precipitation for the state
during April, is about 1853 inches as
reported by three principal weather
stations. These same stations indi-
cate that the average rainfall during
the month was SO Of an inch which
is 1.25 less than normal or a defici-
ency Of n per cent.
Prospects appear good for the COM
ing calf and lamb crop Of the state as
livestock reporters are almost unani-
nous in this belief.
North Dakota has not suffered any
abnormal cattle or sheep losses dur
ing the past winter, according to re-.
ports. Losses have also been light In
South Dakota, Montana and Wyom-
ing. Western Kansas and Nebraska
and Eastern Colorado suffered losses
during the late storms Of March. In
all the other 10 western range states,
the losses have been light to both cat
tie and sheep, with the exception Of
New Mexico where there has been
some loss to old ewes.
Slaughtering of cattle under fed
eral inspection for the 10 months end
ing in April, as reported for the prin-
cipal markets, was about equal to the
same period a year ago but S PER cent
greater for calves. There was q
marked increase in the slaughterings
of sheep and lambs. The actual In.
crease Is about 13 per cent. The kill
ing of hogs fell off per cent for the
same period.
Condition Of ranges in North Da-
kota fell off one point during the past
month and Is now indicated to be "a
per cent Of normal as compared with
IS a month ago, 80 q year ago. and
77.6 for the five year average. Range
conditions fell off In South Dakota
and wyoming, but gained one point
in Montana. Eight Of the remaining
range states declined in range condi-
ton while others indicate an Increase.
There was no change in the condi-
ton of cattle and calves for the
month in North Dakota. The condi-
ton figure remained at 81 per cent
of normal as compared with so a year
ago and 80 per cent for the five-year
average. Cattle and calves declined z
points in condition in South dakota,
gained l point in Montana, and held
even in wyoming. In the remaining
thirteen states. eight indicate q de-
crease in condition, 4. an increase. and
one no change.
Sheep and lambs gained q point
during the month In North Dakota,
the condition figure now being IS per
cent Of normal as compared with "a q
month ago. In the remaining ten
range states reporting on sheep and
Ia u1hS five indica n is1rrAa sAs and five
decreases in condition,