Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-08-08
BEEF PRODUCTION.
Prof. j.. w. Sanborn Says Prices Will
Be Permanently at a Profitable Fig
ure for New ENGLAND Producers.


In it's Crop Report for July the Mas,
sachussetts State Board of Agricul-
ture prints an article on Beef Pro
duction in New England" by Prof. j.
w. Sanborn of Gilmanton, New Hamp-
shire, and formerly Director of the
Missouri and Utah Agricultural Elk
pertinent Stations.
In this article Prof. Sanborn says in
part: Are the present prices of beef
and the promising outlook for beef
production in New England due to
permanent causes, or are they based
upon transitory conditions? If new
industrial agricultural conditions are
at the root of high prices of meat
products they demand close atten-
ton and call for new attitude on
the part of our farmers toward the
stock industry.
1T is probable that the corn short
age of 1901 of nearly one-half the usual
production has aided the natural ten
dency to enhance prices of beef, and
that return to normal crops will
have a modifying influence on prices
OF meat products. The basic cause
of the present satisfactory prices of
meats is found in n constantly de-
creasing ratio of meat animals to pop
ulation. From 1892 when the num-
Der of meat animals in the United
States reached high-water mark, there
has been a steady decrease in the
total number raised for the shambles.
In round numbers from 1873 millions in
1892 to 104 millions in 1899.
THE great livestock markets have
shown this year, despite the allure
ments of exceedingly high prices (sS.-
40 per 100 pounds live weight in Chica-
go). marked decrease in receipts of
last year and over preceding years
for nearly a decade. The constant
rise in prices from s14.06 per head for
cattle in 1895 to s22.79 in 1899, failed
| to induce an increase in numbers, or
even to check the phenomenal de-
crease of stock. When the ranges be-
came occupied in full great increase
of range fed cattle in eastern markets
occurred. Prices went down to rates
impossible to duplicate by western
feeders at a profit. At last the read
justment of cattle to range capacity
is practically completed. upon a basis
of greatly reduced numbers in the
face of rapidly increasing population
and a constant absorption of range
area into tillage farms. The range
| us IL meudCe u D6Gl uIuQuCtlOn Ou
farms has passed into history.
1T is possible to grow as much beef
per acre in New England, at as good
profit to one who produces the food
consumed, as is grown westward. We
may feel assured that a higher range
of prices is to prevail for these rea-
sons:
a. Population is rapidly increas-
inc Whila haaf nr,,d,,ction ic station
airy or losing ground.
90. The vast free-range area has
been absorbed, and it's beef produc-
ton is on heavy decline.
80. The corn-growing area of the
West found beef production under
past rates unremunerativa and re-
duced its herds.
a. Worldwide economic forces
increase of gold per capita, decline in
rates of new lands, increased ratio
of urban population, and the general
rise of purchasing power, tend to a
rise in all farm products. When the
free ranges poured upon us their first
and fullest products, beef, mutton,
and wool production in the East be-
came discouraged. The butter type
of COW came in and beef type went
out In great strides the West pass
ed us in the art of breeding and feed
ing for beef.
Successful beef production in New
England must rest upon:
81. A more intensive agriculture.
"2. Better bred steers-the good
steer.
"S. Better fed steers-early matur
ity.
"a. Better pastures.
"Good pastures and the richer and
more varied foods of a tillage rotation
are prerequisites to the successful in
PRODUCTION of the good steer and his
early maturity. Without the good
steer, early matured, profitable beef
: raising in the East is utterly hopeless
A good steer must have form-deeT
and broad in the twist or thighs, thick
/ through the crops or behind the fore
shoulders, broad across the loins, well
, sprung ribs and straight round barrel
"a dairy type of steer will not sell