Imperial Valley press., 1913-09-05

Meat Trade and Butchers Journal
has the following on the high price
of meat and the cause:
"The drought and hot weather that
have played havoc with the corn and
forage crops are likely to seriously
affect the live stock industry and, as
a consequence, add to the cost of liv-
ing through a further advance later
on in the price of meat.
Recently the shortage of cattle has
been one of the most serious problems
that the west has had to cope with,
and the recent weather conditions in
Kansas have already caused heavy
increase in the live stock sales. Far
mers, because Of the shortage of
water, have been selling their live
stock.
$50 far the shortage of feed has
not been so serious factor as the
shortage of water, but this fall it
will make itself felt as problem
that is likely to curtail our future
meat supplies. In view of this, an ar
ticle in the Forthcoming pamphlet of
the Continental and Commercial Ma
tional Bank of Chicago on conditions
in the live stock industry is of spc-
cial interest In touching upon this
subject, George NJ. Reynolds, presi-
dent of the bank says:
1.-The decrease in live stock has for
some years been a continuing one.
The information furnished us mdi
Gates that there is no greater oppor
tunity open to the American farmer
than that Of enlarging his herds and
fiocks. This would not only result N
direct addition to his income, but
would be the means of maintaining
and increasing the fertility of the soil,
thus insuring larger yields from the
acreage devoted to grain and forage
crops
wv H. Scheliber, traffic manager
of the Union Stock Yards Company,
South Omaha, is quoted as follows:
"'While it may be admitted that
there is shortage of cattle on the
western range, with bright prospects
of continued good grazing during the
late summer and fall, the general
condition Of both cattle and sheep to
be marketed this year from the range
territory, it is conceded, will be far
superior to former years.
Speaking Of the feeder cattle and
sheep situation at South Omaha, vari-
Gus representatives Of feeder buying
firms there stated that their firms had
at this early date, received more bona
fide orders for feeder cattle and sheep
than ever before at one time, and it
was simply question Of getting the
stock to fill the orders"
"The expert employed by Mr.. Rey
nolds to review the live stock situa-
tion points out that scarcity has char
acterized the live stock industry dur
ing the last year, while prices reach
ed the highest levels ever known :
According to the latest govern
ment figures the number Of beef cat
tie in the United States has decreased
from 81 $685. January l, 1907, to
36,030,OO0 January l, 1913; mich
cows from 20,968,000 to 20,497 900,
and sheep from 53.24O,OOO to 51,482,-
900; while hogs have increased from
1894 900 to 61,178,000 during the
same period, being a decrease Of l.
758,000 head, or 3 1-2 per cent of
sheep, with an increase of 6,348,O0O,
or II 1-2 per cent, of swine; while
during the same six years the popula-
ton has advanced fully 100000, or
about II per cent.
Continuing it is shown that the
receipts for live stock at the six prin-
cipal markets of the United States, as
shown by official reports, declined
"A, ,166 carloads, or ga per cent, dur
ing the year 1912, with a decrease Of
1852 carloads, or 81 per cent, at
Chicago; while during the first six
months of the present year there was
decrease in the six principal mar
kets of 13,94O carloads, or "A per
cent, with a decrease of 6376 carloads,
or 4.8 per cent, at Chicago, as COM
pared with the corresponding periods
of the preceding year.
"These figures show an enormous
net decrease in the meat food supply
of the nation, both actual and rela-
tive to population, while market scar
city, the decline of exports, and high
record prices corroborate them. This
leads to the essential question of the
whole situation:
"There is world shortage Of live
stock, especially cattle. In England,
Germany, France and all European
countries, as well as the United States
meat is scarce and dear, beef has be-
come luxury, and the people are
clamoring for legislation to give them
relief.
Looking to the regions of live
stock surplus, Australia is just recov-
ering from a severe drought and her
contributions must be moderate for a
number of years to come. Argentina's
live stock interest has been crippled
by three successive seasons of
drought followed by a "fQot and
mouth" disease. Having unfortunately
sacrificed too many of their cows and
heifers in an effort to hold the more
valuable steers during the drought
period this region is now short Of
breeding stock II will reulire' from