davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

and it is probable that yearliEg steers
TO change hands very freely on next
springs market win have TO sell for
$40 and under, with twOs, of good quail
ity, bringing "a per head more money.
Utah's Output Of Cattle.
The ;otal output Of cattle from. Utah
during the year was under 10000 head.
or about 50 per cent less than il was
in 1902. The bulk Of the turn-off went
to ranges in other states and the de-
cline in price realized was therefore
less than the average market decline
The sales realized a trifie O-er 500
probably.
The consumption within the state in
creased considerably during the year.
In addition to the special CO Instruction
workers which contributed 90 this in
creased use of the home-k.lled sup
plies, people of the cities and the
towns have continued to inCulge their
beef appetite, Notwithstanding high
prices.
The combined consumption. has used
up fully $1,000 cattle during the year
These represent a value of bout $780,
600. The loss was somewhat above nor
NAL. probably 300 head.
The cattle in the feed lots, which viii
be marketed to the local killers be-
tween now and the time grass comes.
/ promise to bring fair prices. COWS are
now selling for 2k cents where they
/ have sold for a quarter less, and down
{ to even money for two or three months,
and fat steers are bringing f. ora three
and a half to six bits" an advance
Of quarter" and more from the low
\ time. These figures viii probably ap-
/ preciate a quarter" 10 a half when
! Christmas supplies are exhausted, pro-
/ vided the eastern packers are not IA
/ vored with rates that enable them q
/ bump local killers. The eastern sup
plies haven't been Ia evidence IN the
/ home trade considsra bly, lately and
/ feeders are hopeful hat the railways
VIII not let them i'm this year while the
margin ON which they are working IS
I SO very slender. They want TO sci
4 their stuff at home now. and their de-
sire VIII run that way considerably
/ stronger when the return transpOrta-
ton for livestock shippers is cut ou
I by the railways. The latter move has
4 been definitely determined upon by III.
/ transportation companies, and g circu
lar to that effect has been issued hy TIM
various lines, effective after the SIS
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

ward. OF course during all of this time
there was a fancy lend" to the offer
ings that brought much better money
the few loads which enabled the mar
ket reporters TO quote a top that con-
cealed the actual situation. And. while
the matured steers were running from
the northwest and other sections Of the
rage favorable to their production,
they were not pounded by the buyers
as venOmously as the single purpose
offerings TO which the above alludes.
TIE packers were the large users Of
the latter sort, and while they were the
principal buyers Of the former also.
the country people, and in cases the
shippers, made legitimate competition
on such offerings which to an extent
protected these values. The good ones
caught a share of the punishment. how
ever. and it is probably safe to say that
the winteTed and double wintered steers
marketed during the season have de-
elined 80 per cent in value over those
sold in a similar time in the previous
year.
Decline of ons-third.
In fact, cattle values Of every kind
are much to the bad actually and pros
pectively. This applies 10 the thor
oughbreds. A well known writer who is
somewhat OF an duLnOllNy on the SUD
jeCt. John Clay of Chicago. in a recent
newspaper article, estimates the size
Of the decline in all sorts Of cattle
values for a period dating back about
a year at S3i2 per cent 1t is under
rather than over the actual decline.
All sorts of causes are assigned for
the slump. chiefly by people who have
not been in on il, and occasionally by
one who has-on the right side. AT
this distance from the big centers OF
, supply of cattle corn and money. it
would seem that cOwmen themselves
are to an extent responsible for their
grief Their failure to sell their hold
iugs to the northern men az the lower
prices which they offered last spring
cUrtailed that movement measurably
and filed UP pastures --ithin easy reach
of the market, thereby increasing the
visible and available supply. Pasture
stun is always shifting stuff. It's sure
to go on the market once i'm the season,
and il sometimes hits such selling
/ places several times. When it's sold Cd
/ 81 sinHIe or double intered on the
oranges it PASSES wide OF these. centers
] direct 10 the places where the. cattle
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

were very infrequently repeated. Some
ranchers. as stated, We're obliged to
continue turning off TO ease UP ranges,
cut down holdings to the size of their
baystacks, or make payments on notes
or overdrafts at their bankers. The
experiences Of these shippers 90 the big
markets were paralyzlng to the local
movement. where selling was not abso-
lutely necessary, and, except turther,
I'm the case Of supplies for the home
killers. Early account sales from the
river selling places disclosed that
stockers and feeders were only salable
q. figures fully 40 per cent lower than
they brought the year before. and the
same returns indicated that greater
decline had taken place in the values
Of the fat sort of range stuff. AS early
as August some shippers from the
northern part of this state and in Idaho
were at Omaha with mixed shipments
Of well-bred and well-conditioned cattle
which included some yearlings of both
sexes. The heifers out Of one of these
cOnsignments Melted the shipper S1.15
per head, while the thrifty youngsters
Of the opposite persuasion crossed the
scales at prices that brought their own
er $3.50 more to the good. IT is need
less TO state that there were no more
mixed or straight yearlings forwarded
from that section to the open market
during that season
Tendency Downward.
The range value of yearlings at the
time these shipments went forward
was held to be fully SIS and $50 for heif-
ers and steers Of this quality, respec-
lively, and the ranchers were not in
clined to stand for such "A horizontal
slash at their net proceeds on short no
tice They have been undergoing some
preparation for the trimming suggest
ed. however, in subsequent experiences
upon eastern markets with other offer
ings since those early sales, for the
tendency of prices has been continuous
Iy downward until cattle sold before the
range shipping season closed mt values
lower than have prevailed for twenty
years or more. That is, the bulk ia
numbers of the daily and weekly Of
ferings. Throughout the fan months
and while the range stuff was heaviest
at all the markets, thousands and thou
sands Of cows sold a the river for less
than two cents per pound. while the
bulk of steers crossed the same scales
at figures ranging from 3 cents down
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

Of December On top OF their other
troubles this additional burden is going
TO weigh heavy; and as nearly all of the
livestock associations meet soon in an
nuaI session there IS srre to be some
thing said about this last move by the
magnates.
Heavy Sheep Losses.
There were heavy losses in the Utah
ficcks last spring laJe, and more NOR
tality throughout the winter proceed
ing it than commonly attends the win
ter carrying Of herds in this country
FlOCkmasters felt some Apprehension
for a safe emergence from the yearly
risk when they put their fOcks on the
desert over year ago, because they
were not up to the average in flesh to
stand off even ordinary winter trials;
but the 'biddies' did so well until some
time after the holidays that this feel
ing gave way 20 one of hope that they
would pull through in good shape. And
then came fierce weather-heavy SHOWS
succeeded by long spells OF Intensely
low temperature. and repetitiOns into
the late springtime. which Outlastcd
the endurance of thousands upon CnOu-
sands of the old sisters and many OF
the breeding young ones
The hardships they had undergone
effected everything in She she-line to
an extent LDGL maze their movement
from the winter ranges slow and fur
Their exhausting. Thousands Of their
carcasses lined the trans over which
they were shifted to the summer
ranges. and when the poor creatures
landed on those lambing grounds they
were again pelted with delayed storms,
wet, chilling and of several days du-
ration, which was the finish OF many.
The loss was heavy both I'm the old
sheep and the lambs, due and arriving
at the time the sheep struck the lamb
I ing places in the northern part OF the
state. in several cases owners lost en-
tire focks. Again. fOckmasters es-
capped with normal mortality. In every
/ instance. however breeders sustained
I punishment on the Increase. The loss
Of lambs was tremendous. The aver
age mortality. not including lambs.
was probably in the neighborhood OF 80
/ per cent.
shrinkage in Wool Clip.
When sheep do we'll physically the
Continued on Page 10
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

and hay, put in an appearance. De-
structfve fin it's effect upon the range
stuff which was trying to rustic nv
ing on the deserts, il was tremendously
costly i'm it's duration TO the meat max
ers also. as it delayed the finishing OF
the sheep and cattle they had up IN the
pens. and the latter people We're
doomed TO further disappointment oy
the failure of the market to RESPOND
with an advance of prices which Would
offset the increased cost of making the
meat. The first named Influences We're
felt by the western men more particu-
larlv. and the losses in range herds
were heavy: while the feature Of val
ues. or rather selling prices was gen
eral nut most damaging to the corn
men in the vicinity of the big markets,
Few If any of the latter stocklnen
made any money on their last winter
operations in cattle. on the contrary
losses .averag ed probably $3.50 on every
steer fed. the range Of loss extending
from 81 on a critter TO as hign as @5J
on strings in some fed lots. Deals as
destructive as the latter were or course
not numerous. but the advertised tall-
tres among the old-timerE back in that
country during the summer and ran
months show pretty conclusively that
they We're Of greater frequency than the
market papers IeDOILeQ uA tllE tliilE fAN
feeding deals, were closed up and ship
pers had taken the punishment handed
them by the packers at the big selling
places.
The Cattle Business.
Speaking of the year in cattle, sep
arately. 10 has been so surprising I'm the
changes which have taken place in the
, matter Of values that, as before stated,
the average cow man is too disgruntled
over the situation TO tell what he sus-
poets as the cause Of his diminished
fortune. Eighteen months ago the busi-
ness looked like a cinch 10 him for all
time 20 come. Anything I'm the horns
line was sought for as soon as it had
passed the weaving age and AT values
that insured profits TO warm the cock
les of the 0ld-timers' hearts Twelve
months later, here in the west, there
was no demand for the ordinary sea-
sOnal output and there was no trading
on the ranges A few COW men who
were obliged 20 make sales for one
reason or another threw some Of their
cattle together and went east with
them. As experiments these shipments
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

grow up and grow tat, and no reckon
ing is made Of its passage.
Smaller Demand.
Of course there has been a big let
up in the demand for beef. Armies have
been reduced and disbanded. The gov
eTnments are liberal users Of fresh
meats when the troops are in the field.
They also cleaned uD the stuffs TO the
last can Of the beef supply while our
own and other recent wars were on,
and while the packers expect cOntinu-
Gus future demand for such products,
they have probably figured that re-
neWai of hOsulitieS anywhere on earth
is too remote a contingency to warrant
the speedy replenishment Of these sup
plies except at substantial discount
for carrying charges. The latter ace
steep (for other than high eXplOsives)
cOwmen think. but the packers are the
only buyers Of the canning variety of
cattle, and there are only a few pack
ers fn the trade-the~ same ones on all
the markets. Therefore, Gamers are
extremely low and about everything
but prime stuff has come under that
classification.
OF course the corn situation. which
was uncertain at all times during the
summer and fan of the year closing,
crop was made, cut a big figure in the
years trading. IT affected the big
money always required to operate with,
and it made the operator who had the
money of his own to work with timld
and slow to formulate BIS plans 1T
also cut down the size OF his operations
when he did take hold, and more than
any one other thing it kept feeding
deals on the short. or get-from-under-
order. resulting in the reshipping and
reselling Of stuff over and over again.
Outlook Uncertain
The prospect has not cleared up any
to the western lookout. COwmen them
selves do not know what TO expect from
the coming year in the way Of prices.
If young stuff sells between now and
spring, as if usually does, to northern
men, or spectators who iii their or
ders. ranchmen VIII be obliged to cut
their figures pretty considerably from
their recent selling lists. They are not
inclined to do this yet and ar
occasional sale Of calves is reported a'
S1f. The eastern markets have not jus
titled any such figure for eight months
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

THE reviewer Of current conditions IN
the world of livestock who succeeds m
r,resenting a favorable outlook for that
great industry, at any time soon. VIII
lift a load of gloom from the spirits OF
those who follow it for calling as Wen
as that other numerous class VINO take
an occasional shy at IL for speculative
purposes. The situation viii require
however. that he draw upon his own
optimism for the requisite cheer. rather
than the facts and figures men in the
business viii furnish at the close or
this most disappointing year.
1t has been a bad one. from almost
any viewpoint, and 50 much worse than
arg of the surface indications limited
at a year ago, that cow men in partic-
1llar are simply dazed over the democrat
station in prices and are utterly unable
TO make a clear statement Of their woes
or cite an inquirer to the probable
cause OF shrinkage In the value Of their
holdings.
Aside from the fact that corn was
pretty high iu the states where that ar
ficle induces the heavy feeding Of meat
animals. and a light hay crop i'm the
range states made the people who pre-
pare beef and mutton for the block
I'm the western country a little more
uncertain as to the outcome Of their
oueratiOns. there We're no premOnitOry
signs I'm the air year ago Of the sub
epuuent successive disasters. Western
cuff went ics0 winter quarters in good
shane physically 10 withstand the rig
ors of an ordinary winter. and If there
were any difference I'm the supply Of
range grass over previous years, the
comparison I'm that particular was also
favorable. The feeling was according
" hopeful. and especially so I'm Utah.
not only that sheep and cattle would
ride through in their customary good
condition until spring grass put in an
appearance but that the cattle. which
were on full feed for the butchers.
would bring advanced prices to fully
compensate for the higher priced ra-
lions they were consuming from day
TO day.
Hopes Were Blasted.
AS the season advanced these hopes
waned. for the winter was unusually
profracted and It increased IN severity
as the tail-end OF &c. long looked for by
men who were feeding high priced corn
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

price per busheI was higher than dur
ing the previous year. So that we have
an increased acreage, an increased
Weld and an increased value. The
price Of wheat today is about double
what it was a few years ago. during
the hard times of 1898 the yield in Utan
was 1873 bushels per acre, and IN tne
United States ia. The price IN Y tan
that year was 60 cents bushel against
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

Oats also show an increase, in acre.
age. yield and value. The yield was,
36.4 bushels per acre, against $50 the
previous year, and a ten-year average
of 34.5 The United states yield was
2S.4 in 1903, against a ten-year average
of 27.S. Oats and wheat show practic-
ally the same acre value. With oats
yielding 1854 bushels per acre and sell
ing for ~ cents per busheI. the returns
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

about IS cents the past year. The Unit.
ed States yield the past year was 14.4
bushels per acre. So far as the farm
ers of the country are concerned, there
is little danger of hard times in the
immediate future. 1t is worthy of note
that the stock of wheat on hand in
Utah on March I. 1903. was 80 per cent
Of the crop. This indicates a prosper
Gus condition of our farmers.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
=ARMERs PR0sPERED GREATLY DURING TIE YEAR 1903

More corn should be fed. tt is mis-
take TO feed wheat and oats when corn
may be purchased at less per pound.
Lucern Ssed
A promising crop OF alfalfa seed was
seriously damaged by an early frost in
September. The quality was also dam
aged somewhat The price, however.
has been high. the cleaned seed selling
for j. cents per pound. against s cents
last year The practice Is TO cut a.
crop Of hay and let the second crop 60
90 seed. The yield runs about four or
five bushels per acre, so it IS seen that
al such prices Il is most profitable. Mr..
c. A Smurthwaite of Ogden informs
me that "the demand for this article
does not diminish, but increases. Farm
ers can make no mistake in going more
extensively into the cultivation Of lu-
Germ seed" The seed brought over
100000 cash into the state in 1908.
Sugar Beets.
The sugar beet industry has scored
/ another advance during the year. An
other new factory-that i'm Bear River
valleys now finishing its first run
l The farmers derived a revenue Of about
I 600 the past season from the dir
/ ferent factories. with great possibilities
in the future.
Value Of Products.
/ The value Of products shows an in
| crease Of $4,000. 600 in round numbers.
| over 1902 Had last years prices OF
7 livestock and wool been maintained
/ the increase would have been very
much greater 1t should be borne in
mind that the total OF S2A546,OOO is not
/ actual, because some Of the crops are
I fed to livestock on the farm and are
/ therefore counted twice. The value
would probably approximate S19,000,000.
United States Crops.
Taking the country over. there were
bountifuI crops in 1903 There is little
! prospects Of financial breakers If
generous harvest can prevent them
I The yields have been somewhat above
I the average, though somewhat below
/ the phenomenal yields Of 1902. The
/ corn crop was short of that of the pre-
: vious year by 2G0.00000o bushels but
1 that is a decrease OF only s per cent
I Before harvest, reports we're published
/ broadcast that the corn crop had been
I ruined by frOsts. These reports turned
/ out 20 be largely false, and the crop Of
/ corn amounts to considerably over
/ 1000 900 900 bushels: besides there were
/ 100. coo 900 bushels Of the old crop car
/ ried over till this year. According 10
\ latest reports the wheat crop was
\ about equal 70 1902 With the eScep-
ton of cattle and hogs. the prices %
farm products have been well sus-
| tanned
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

greater than that of any of the other
cereals.
Corn shows an increase in acreage
and yield, which is as il should be- The
yield per acre is low. 1t is less than the
average OF the United States. There
are only a few sections in Utah where
corn may be grown successfully. but
in those sections. with better cuItiva-
ton, the yield should be much greater.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

yielding 22.6 bushels per acre and sell
ing for II cents, or about ST per acre.
Barley Was a Good Crop.
Barley was q good crop. The yield
per acre was 37.5, against 32.1 in 1902,
and an average Of 1872 for ten years.
At 60 cents per bushel the acre value
of barley was $3.50 in 1903, which is
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
The Yields Cin Bushels).
Utah and Other States.

The following is a comparative state
meut of the yields per acre I'm Utah ard
the average for the. United States for
1903. also a ten-year average for the
same
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
Average Yield Of wheat For II years
value Per Acre.

The average farm value OF wheat per
acre in the United States was S9.14 in 1902;
in Utah it was Sl6.1l- The price per bush
81 I'm the United States was 63 cents; In
Utah IS cents.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
Farm Animals in Utah.


The following table shows the number
and value Of farm animals I'm Utah on
Ian 4 1Q03-
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
Acreage Of Farms.

The following table gives the acrea ge
Of farm crops for the two years 1902 and
1000
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
Hopes Were Blasted.

As the season advanced these hopes
waned. for the winter was unusually
n~ofracfed and IL increased IN severity
as the taiI-end OF &c. long looked for by
men who we're feeding high-priced corn
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27

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