Evening star., 1934-07-24
HUGE CATTLELOSS
.SHOWN|NDROUGHT
Acute Shortage Of Grain and
Rance Floods Midwest
Markets.

creasinRly acute shortage OF range,
feed and water in the drought
stricken area from the Rockies TO the
Mississippi has caused the loss OF
thousands of cattle, an1 the forced
sale Of many thousands more, sur.
vey has disclosed.
In the Rocky Mountain States.
many head of cattle-the United
States Department Of Agriculture was
unable TO estimate the exact number
died on ranges that we're literally
burned up by sun that biazed from
cloudlesS skies week after week.
The unprecedented shortage OF feed
and range due to the drought will
force a huge sacrifice Of sheep and
cattle before next Winter, cattlemen
said.
A meeting was called for next
Wednesday and Thursday at Salt
Lake to attempt to arrange for a
Government sheep buying program
similar to the cattle purchasing plan.
In Texas. pasturage only about 30
per cent Of normal caused q heavy
livestock loss.
Markets in Chicago and Kansas
City we're flooded with abnormally
large receipts because of drought dts
tress. The resulting immediate over
supply in Chicago caused semidemora-
lized prices. Most Of Saturdays Of
ferings had to be carried over into this
week.
The rush Of cattle to Kansas City
sent prices as low as any in the his
tory Of the stockyards. Officials and
commission firms appealed to farm
ers to withhold cattle from the mar
ket wherever possible. to prevent a
! further decrease in quotations. An
other run Of $4,000 to 10000 cattle
was expected In the Kansas City yards
Monday.
In sections designated as primary
drought areas, the Government pur-
chased cattle. Those that we're ema-
ciated beyond redemption we're killed
on the premises. Others we're shipped
to better pastures for fattening, with
a view to processing later for distri-
button to the needy by the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration.
Summary by States.
The live stock and paSturage condi-
tions in affected States we're reported
as follows:
Texas-Pasturage only about 30 per
cent normal. causing heavy live stock
losses before +. T. r. A. established
emergency canneries and removed
stock from ranges which could not
support them. Water supply low, fore
ing stockmen to haul water to keep
herds alive. In the San Angelo area
50 per cent Of live stock considered
to be in bad condition. Death losses
have amounted to to 5 per cent Of
herds. Many old ewes have died on
the range
ADMINISTRATIVE plans made to
move cattle in half-dozen counties as
soon as Federal aid available. Water
supply restricted.
Nebraska-Condition of hogs and
cattle unfavorable. with 80 of %
counties in Federal emergency
drought area and entire State In
secondary drought area. Cattle and
hogs have estimated value Of $780,
100000 and farmers may be forced
to sell 25 to rs per cent. Government
has bought about $4,000 head OF
cattle.
oklahoma-Entire State listed in
Federal emergency drought area, Over
500 head of cattle beyond redemption
purchased by Government and de-
stroyed on premises. More than 5000
shipped TO better pastures In other
States, through Federal aid. F. 4.
r. A. to dig wells and build pipelines
to streams, as soon as funds available.
| Gf1Yraa m Il.
about 30 counties.
Minnesota-Heavy losses TO live
stock, but bulk OF herds saved by June
rains that restored grazing In most
of State. Pastures in part of State
ruined for the year by drought. how
ever.
Feed Shortage Revealed.
North Dakota-Pastures and mead
ows seriously affected by heat. Sources
Of water drying up In many sections.
Missouri-Most of hay and other
forage crops suffered severe loss. Corn
crop rapidly approaching condition
where there will be practically no yield
at all. and a bumper crop would have
been necessary TO provide Winter feed
for live stock. Water and pasturage
shortage causing live stock distress.
Kansas-Serious lack of feed and
water for live stock. Farmers IN most
sections haul water.
Montana-Water supply for cat
tie and sheep presenting critical prob
lem. Forage depleted or burned away
by drought. Water being hauled TO
many herds. Government buying
many cattle for slaughter.
Wyoming-Because of lack of
feed and water, many herds Of better
class cattle being shipped from State,
by Federal aid. These will not be
slaughtered, but preserved, If possible,
for breeding nucleus for next year.
Federal funds being used to amplify
water supplies. Large proportion of
cattle being sold TO Government for
slaughter.
| Colorado-Every county In the
State rated as either primary or sec
ondary drought area. Government
bought l5,30l cattle in is counties
and tagged all but rs best for sIaueh-
ter. Plans to purchase between 50,-
900 and sc, 900 more at rate of about
5000 daily.
| New Mexico-Erosion following
prolonged drought threatening to per-
manently spoil thousands Of acres OF
good grazing land. Stock water sit
uation critical and feed shortage se-
rious. Government cattle-buytng pro-
gram in full swing.
(copyright. 1894, by the Associaped Press)