Calf Losses Likely From Wyo. Snowstorm

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — This week's spring snowstorm likely resulted in deaths among newborn calves in Wyoming, but ranchers are OK with the losses because of the moisture the storms brought to parched grazing pastures.

The three-day storm dumped around a foot of snow in many areas of southeast and central Wyoming, with higher amounts in the mountains.

Dallas Mount of the University of Wyoming Extension Service in Wheatland says calves born during the storm would have had a tough time surviving.

While the number of losses won't start being reported until next week, Mount says his own cattle operation lost three calves.

But Mount says the moisture that came with the snow was a good trade-off because pastures have been extremely dry for the last year.