Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1884-02-21
OUR BEEF SUPPLY,
THE BLOCKADE GREATLY INTER
FERES WITH 1T,

AHL DAUOhADE UREAIL1 lNlEK-
FERES WITH 1T.
Where the Beef We Eat Comes From
Our Butchers About to Send East for
t-.Why Beef Will BE Lower This
Summer.
The storm has greatly interfered
with the beef supply of Wood River,
and Mr.. Burns, one Of the butchers
of this city, says that what is on hand
will hardly last 10 days. Already
the better grade is getting scarce, the
choice cuts are all but gone, and un-
less the railway is reopened soon
there will be positive scarcity on
Wood River. This will be due en-
tirely to the condition of the roads,
as there is plenty Of cattle within
few days travel of HALEY. On this
side of the Snake and Boise rivers
alone there are between 10000 aud
10000 head of stock cattle from
which more than a sufliciency of beef
cattle could be culled to supply the
Wood River market while on the
other side of the Snake, and down
between the Bruneau and Owyhee,
there must be all of 100000 head of
stock and beef cattle. There are
several large owners in that section,
either of whom can keep this market
supplied.
But, aside from the difficulty and
expense Of bringing that cattle Ii,
the dealer in beef must consider the
first cost. The price of cattle has,
during the past three years, more
than trebled. Three years ago cattle
could be got on the range for SIS to
S25 pei head. Now it costs $50 to
$50 per head, and is not quite SO
choice. The causes of this rise are,
firstly, the expectation of large num-
bers to the Eastern markets; and,
secondly, the settlement of the
country, and consequent large in
crease in the number Of conusmers.
But the increase of the herds has
kept pace with the development of
the country, while the low price of
beef in the East has caused cattle
ralsers to stop shipping East; SO that
the supply of beef in Idaho is quite
up to the demand, and likely to con-
tinue SO. The price of beef cattle
will therefore not increase very ma
terially, according to the present out
look, for some years; or until the
present population of Idaho shall have
nearly doubled. More than this, 1t
may even come down, as the low
prices prevailing in the East
will eau e the Idaho butchers to
ship in from the East. Mr. Burrs
says that he is now thinking
the matter over, and, until next June
at least, he thinks that he will ship
from Chicago or Omaha by the car
load. He saw In an Iowa newspaper,
yesterday, that beef was only worth
five cents per pound there. At that
price, he thinks that he can afford to
buy East and ship here for less than
the cost of Idaho-raised beef. Be
sides, cattle that is selling in the East
now has been fed, and the meat is
therefore juicier and tenderer than that
of Idaho cattle.
BY next June or July, however,
the advantage, in price and quality,
will again be in favor Of Idaho, as the
cattle are doing we'll on the range
this winter, and stock-raisers will be
compelled to realize at home, or ship
to California. They will not be able
to do so well in the East, and viii
have to sell here, or ship East at loss
Last year beef cattle were quite
scarce in Idaho, because the railroad
then building, required all tho stock
men could spare; but from this time
on the demand will be limited to tn.
home supply, and beef will be plenty
The price Of beef will likely be some
what lower, from this time on. A
present it is selling for 129 to q
cents for the very choicest, but in thu
spring and summer it will be some
what lower.
THE NINNIE MOORE