The Delta independent., 1913-09-26

per cent less than in 1907. The re-
ceipts for 1912 were $4,000 head less
than in 1908, and $4,000 head, or near
ly 1870, less than the previous ten-year
average from 1902 to 1911 inclusive.
The census of 1910 properly anal
yzed shows taht during the decade the
number of beef cattle in the United
States decreased about 100000 head,
or over 15@e that calves decreased
about 2,500,0OO head, or more than
1850, while our population increased
10000 900, or 21@e.
The report of the department of ag-
riculture for this year shows a still
further decline of about 5000, 900 head
of beef cattle of all ages since 1910
According to government figures,
since 1900 the population has increas-
ed over 300. while the supply of beef
cattle has declined fully 2Oqo. and
during the same period the slaughter
of calves has increased 5000 Being
apparently unable to produce enough
cattle to feed our own people. our ex-
port trade, once the stimulus and
pride of the live stock industry. has
almost entirely disappeared.
The above facts show conclusively
that there is an abnormal shortage OF
beef cattle in the United States, and
certainly helps to explain why beef is
high. Beef is not an exception to that
old rule that when there is an increase
in the demand and a decrease in the
supply of anything an increase in the
price is the result.
The increased demand at market for
light and medium steers for slaughter
has tended to drain the country of
such cattle until the supply has be-
come very scarce in the corn belt The
movement of feeders from the five
leading markets for 1912 was 100000
less than 1911 and 267 900 head less
than ten years ago.
The movement OF cattle direct from
the range to the feed lot has practi-
cally ceased. and we find farmers and
cattle feeders forced to go to the large
for feed lot use. 1t has brought them
into direct competition with the pack
ers. who need such cattle for slaugh-
ter to meet the deficiency of cows and
heifers for cheap beef. Owing to the
relative high prices which the pack
ers are able to pay for young steers.
far fewer cattle of this grade than for
merly have gone into the feed lot.
Furthermore. the partial drouths ex-
tending over the west and southwest
range regions the past two or three
years have prematurely forced to mar
ket great numbers of heifers. and this
too has resulted in big deficit of
breeding COWS. from which to produce
calves suitable for feed lot use.
The best and most reliable sources
of information indicate that there is
shortage of live stock, especially cat
tie in all European countries as well
as in the United States. Beef Is
scarce and the price is high; meat has
become a luxury.
We find Australia and South Amer
lea. the only countries producing any
surplus in live stock. have been Grip
from foreign countries has far exceed
ed the increase of the herds. Recent
|, advices from Argentine show greatly
: increased prices for young cattle and
record prices paid for breeding stock
: A study of the causes of the present
, live stock situation in the United
States reveals the following:
Millions of acres of Texas ranch
lands have been cut up and parceled
out to appease the Unsuitable land hun
ger, not of legitimate homeseekers but
of land spectators. This has caused
which the north western ranges as well
as the corn belt had for years drawn
| steady supplies of low priced feeders.
. The withdrawal of public lands in
, the west through irrigation projects
and dry farming schemes have forced
the breaking up of large range opera
tions. In time 1t is possible that these
cut up ranges can produce more and
, better cattle and sheep in small herds
and flocks than under the old free
t grass methods, but the transition will
not be speedy
r The 1907 financial upheaval came at
t most inopportune time for the live
stock industry. which had just begun
to gather strength and promised to ex-
pand in way that would have meant
great addition to the wealth of the
nation. New breeders were getting into
tho busnesg and nrosnects nf nrofits q
, were so alluring that thousands of