The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-09-18
HE LIVE STOCK SITUATION

,tock industry for the first six months
Of this year have been gathered to-
yether, with some effort, and the fol-
owing is the consensus as well as the
tented statements:
Western ranges have beer over
crowded the past winter. The wealth
sr continued dry until May. when GER
.ain sections were visited by severe
itorms, resulting In heavy losses to
both cattle and sheep, which were
weakened by the continued drouth.
There was great scurrying about for
hay and prices in some sections went
4, to $50. This year is seeing more
renting and fencing of state lands and
more forage crops planted than ever
before In the history of the stock in
iustry Of the West.
In many sections the cattle men are
reducing their herds, because Of the
short range, and the consequence will
be fewer cattle, but a far better quail
lty. Sheepmen are, In the main, hold
Ing on; many Of them are securing
rights of some sort to their range.
The nomadic herds are meeting with
greater distractions and objections,
md there are signs that the settle
nent of the public domain question
will soon be brought about.
There is promise that the state
of Kansas will feed more cattle in
1903 than ever before in the history
Of the state. This applies to hogs as
we'll.
The unusually late and wet spring
greatly delayed corn planting in Mis-
souri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, but
at this date a good harvest Is assured,
and there promises to be a great de-
mand for feeders this fall. There is
plenty of feed, plenty Of pasture and
plenty of money, and the stockraiseys,
encouraged by the assurance of good
prices will invest extensively in the
business.
In the South, particularly South
Carolina and Louisiana, the live stock
Industry is making steady advances
by the introduction of purebred stock.
Owing to the dry fall, the long
winter and the late spring, the mar
kets east were early crowded with
shipments from the West and there
was a weakening in prices. At this
date with feed lot stock being held
close for finish, there is a firming up
of prices and a profitable trade is
therefore to be expected this fall.
The National Live Stock associa
ton has taken up the matter of rec
tifying the evils of the present fores'
try reserve laws, In this matter the
association wants the aid of the en-
tire industry. It wants every stock
man interested to send in detailed
complaints or grievances regarding
the operations of the Law in the vari
Gus districts, and forward them a
the earliest possible date.
The stock shippers have had NOR,
grievances against transportation
companies for delay in moving steel
and tn supply of cars, entailing
great expense, than any other clas
of shippers. There is a bill now be
fore congress to compel the railroad
to haul live stock at a speed of no
less thar 20 miles an hour and tn
association is lending its support t
this measure. All persons intereste
who have grievances along thes
lines are requested to forward such t
this Office at once.
The live stock conditions for low
are reported as follows:
The spring was unusually wet, an
storms frequent and severe, yet stoc
losses were light. Hay and fodde
was we'll cleaned up and more cor
than usual consumed. Beginning tn
second half of the year there WEI
less cattle on feed than usual. FL
hogs were soon disposed of and tn
coming crop is better han usual a
though short. There are about 5.3GS
900 cattle, 1,050,0O0 sheep, $4,000
= swine and 1,400, 900 horses in II
state. Excellent conditions relative
pastures, feed and corn crops pr
vail throughout Iowa, Illinois, Indian
and feeding will be carried on exten
lively this fall and winter. MAI
farmers are already buying stock ca
tie. In Illinois the calf crop will
100 per cent and the lamb crop
Wool is selling at II to " cents.
Indiana wool is selling at Is I'M
cents, and the calf and lamb crop
10 per cen above normal. The hol
ings of purebred stock by individua
show a great increase in these t'
states.
cTEAJ KAISER'S GIFT