The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-02-19
THE STOCK BUSINESS.
Its Growing Importance in the
Far West.

There can be little doubt that the
next few years will witness marked
changes in the live stock business of the
far West. Low prices and general de
preston among farmers of small means
in the older States have already started
a boom in government lands, and the
| time is not far distant when every spot
in the mountains available for agricul-
tural purposes will be occupied by set
tiers under our benefcent homestead
laws. This movement is ineyitable-it
IS to be hoped for and encouraged. The
lands belong to the people. Let them
come and enrich themselves and add to
the wealth of our State.
That this occupancy OF a country now
sustaining countless herds of cattle and
horses, will materially affect that great
interest and call for different manage
ment and other methods, must occur 10
every person who gives the subject any
thought. Curtailment of the range
and smaller herds will follow Under
'-ASSN SO-AhAAAOlAo Vic 4GtUuloGs dlM dN .
profitable, will become indispensable TO
the successful handling of stock. Re
ference is made to high breeding. With
the present system of loose and cheap
management and this ears prices, be-
tween well graded and scrub stock
there is just the difference that is found
between profit and loss. Scores of
shipments of low grade cattle were sold
in the markets the past season ut a loss
to their owners, + lair account is kept
Of cost. Yet it is doubtful if a single
sale is recorded OF fine. well-fatted
beeves at figures that would not show d
fair margin on the right side Of the
ledger. Still how many there are who
do little or nothing towards improve
ment and drag along al little or no pro.
fit, while their enterprising neighbors
who aim high and higher in grading are
daily advancing IN prosperity.
1t must not be inferred that we are
relatively behind other Western States
in this respect. The change for the bet
ter in the last few years has been re-
markable, but there still remains much
to be done. Once nothing but the Texan
and the scrub were found on our breed
ing ranges; now more than two thou
sand head of fine short horn, AberdeeI-
Angus and Hereford bulls are sold an
nually by Denver dealers. Indeed, it
is an exception now, among the millions
OF cattle that cover our plains, not to
find excellent high-grade bulls. Many
range cattle growers now buy young
bulls in car load lots for their herds,
and some of the large companies buy
six or eight car loads at time
One very important fact has bee
learned from experience by large cattle
growers during the last three years,
that is the advantage OF using Colorado
bred animals, 1t has been demonstrat-
ed beyong question that there is great
difference between ANIMALS brought
from the East and those bred and grown
in our own climate. Stock bred and
grown here are worth mora to the
range breeders at fourteen and sixteen
mouths old than bulls equally as we'll
bred when brought from the East after
two years old. Too much stress cannot
be laid on this recognized fact. 1t fur
niShes an opening for profitable invest
ment, coupled with enterprise. This |
demand should be met by home breed |
ers, to the advantage of all parties and |
he State. The business has already en- |
listed some attention and considerable |
capital, bnt there is q wide field unoccu- 1
bed. We know of one breeding COM
)anY who sent to Kentucky some two /
7ears ago and brought to Colorado a
inc lot of Kentucky bred short horns,
or the purpose of breeding bulls for
'ange cattle growers. They used i'm
ported thoroughbred bulls. and sell all |
he stock they raise readily for good
prices. We learn that good returns1on
heir Investment has been realized this
'ear on unusually low prices for such
elCS.