The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-01-17

cost Of the farmers, regardless of
service rendered. In many instances
the commission to the buyer for hand
ling the stock has been as high as
so cents per hundred, after paying the
expense of shipping. This system is
wrong in principle and does not per-
init Of handling the stock as econo-
mically as where it is all shipped by
n person and thus eliminate many
unnecessary expenses.
I'm order to get the growing Of live
stock on a paying basis, cattle must
not only be economically fed, but must
be marketed at a small cost. This
cannot be done under the present sys-
tenn Of marketing; and the only solu-
ton OF the problem lis cooperation.
What the cooperative creameries
have done in building up the dairy
industry throughout the northwest,
the cooperative shipping associations
will be able to do for the meat pro-
ducing industry. Cooperation along
this line is still in its infancy, but it
has been carried on extensively
enough to prove it's value and practic-
ability beyond a question Of doubt,
Several years g the people in the
vicinity of Buffalo, Springfield and
Litchfeld, MINI. began shipping
their own stock in a small way. They
o o discovered that it meant a great
saving over the old system Of dispos-
ing of live stock. and in a short time
they were shipping practically every
thing produced at those places. The
association at Litcht1eld has shipped
during the past year about 100 car
loads of stock, valued at more than
$4,000, on which a saving Of at least
10 per cent has been effected. lust
what this system Of livestock ship
ping will mean to the farmers of the
northwest In increasing the profits
from livestock growing is hard to.
estimate, but 1t is safe to say that in
ten years time there will be as many
cooperative livestock shipping asso-
Citations as there are o cooperative
creameries. During the past year
there have been organized, in Mime
sofa alone, twenty of these shipping
associations all OF which are doing
a successful business and in every in
stance mean a considerable saving To
the farmers. Some of these ~associa-
tons report that they have been able
to realize over $50 a carload above
that paid by local buyers, after paying
all expenses and a good commission
for handling.
The shipping OF live stock In this
way not only mean a financial saving
to the farmers, but 1t demonstrates to
them that it pays to feed live stock
better and get 1t in better condition
before 1t is marketed. Mr.. Halvor-
son, the manager of the Litchfeld as
ISOLATION, says that he has noticed a
very marked Improvement in the
quality of the stock delivered to him
for shipment since the association was
organized The reason for this is that
everything is sold on its merits at the
central market instead of at one price
to all. The farmers who ship through |
these associations also take a deeper
interest in h better handling of live
stock, so as to get 1t on the market
in the best possible condition.
But 1t is an unwise plan to organ |
lie one Of these shipping associations
hastily and without definite assurance |
Of loyal support from the stock-rafs-
ers Of the vicinity. For, as in all 9TH
er forms Of cooperative endeayor. |
n failure will do more to tnfure the
movement than can be realized by q
number OF successful organizations.
Country buyers, who have been in the
habit OF buying live stock at will and
paying whatever they pleased, are do
ing everything they can to break down
this movement. Therefore, I would
advise the organization Of these as
only where the people feel
they are In need Of a better sys-
tenn OF marketing, When such is the
case, the farmers viii support the in
and keep 1t from becoming
. failure, which might be the result
where the people take hold of the
movement In a half hearted a
To organize one Of these associa-
tons requires no capital, as the farm
ers are not paid for their live stock
the returns are received from
the central market. It Is only neces-
sary to adopt a constitution and set
Of bylaws, and elect a board of dt-
r%ectors, who will appoint a manager
handle the business. The success
failure of the enterprise depends
a large measure on the manager.
1t requires a live, up-to-date and en-
man, who has good Judgment
to the condition Of live stock, and
who will make a study OF the business.
manager decides on a date OF
shipment, and every person who de-
to ship at that time must notify
manager as soon as his stock is
ready, so that he can order a car large
to handle everything that is
reported. The stock is then delivered
to h manager, who looks after the
weighing and loading. Cattle and veal
are marked by clipping a number on
the hip; sheep are marked with paint:
while the hogs are classified according
to weight. This enables the commits
mission firm handling the stock to sell
on it's merits and each
farmer receives just what the stock
will bring on the local market, less
the cost OF shipping. Accurate records
are kept OF every shipment, and every
receives a statement with his
showing what was paid for
feeding, commission and 9TH
expenses. The commission usually
paid for shipping the stock ranges
from 8 to 10 cents per hundred, which
makes it possible for the manager to
good wages and give the business
his best attention. About 2 cents per !
hundred pounds is set ASIDE as a sink J
Ing fund, to cover losses that may oc-
In Minnesota a central associa- I
ton has been organized, which is
to organize local associations !
throughout the state, and is doing
everything 1t a to develop this sys-
tenn of shipping live stock. BY hav-
ing a number OF local shipping assoc
organized in the state, 1t Is
possible to secure legislation along the
line of better facilities for handling