The Elk Mountain pilot., 1913-10-16
Stock Numbers
are Decrease,

are OScYe2srs2S
For the year ending June 30,
1904, less than ten years ago, the
United States exported 593, 100 live
cattle worth an estimated value of
II, 256, ,O00. In the same period we
exportedapproximately 300, 900. 600
pounds of beef, valued at S26, ,S4i 600.
For the fiscal year ending June 80
last, our exports OF cattle amounted
to 6,O56 head valued ut S3l0, 900.
For the same period we exported 40,
600 pounds of beef, worth 1902 900.
We imported for that year 421 900
cattle valued at 6, 403 900.
To state it briefly we exported in
cattle and beef in 1901, 500, ,097 ,OC0
and in 1913 this trade has decreased
to a total of 5000, ,I99: In 1901.
we imported only $4,000 of cat
tie and in 1918 the imports bad
grown to SG, ,4o6, 179. So we are
now importing 100000 more
cattle than we are exporting both
cattle and beef.
This does not necessarily mean
that we are not producing as many
cattle as we formerly did, though as
n matter of fact the government
figures show a decrease of nearly
five million cattle in the past five
years, but the real trouble is the
rapid increase in population ard
the econsequenccincreasei in cousump-
tive demand. We have both an
increase demand and decrease sup
ply, which easily explains the
rapid increasing prices on cattle.
What is the remedy? The only
possible chance OF increasing the
supply is in the west. For years
the stock farmers in the middle
west have been blowing up their
pastur in order to produce gain.
The west has millions of acres Of
natural pastures which can he util
lied in connection with the cuiti
waited lands. SO it is to the west
that the people must look. for the
meat supply or the future. Cheap
cattle are thing OF the past and
the situation offers the greltestoppor-I
tunity for the west to cash in the
millions of acres of grass that today
are returning no revenue.
The open range proposition is a
dream of the past and it is up to
the west to develop the industry
upon new lines. TheNational West
ern Stock Show was organized for
for the very purpose of encouraging
and assisting in that development.
1t is trying to teach the stockmcn
the modern way and is demonstrate
ing the value of improved live stock
handled under the modern plan and
under western conditions. During
the past eight years, with fewer
cattle in the country, Colorado alone
has increased the annual output of
live stock over 340,OO0,000. 1t is
possible to increase the output an
equal amount in the next five years |
il the stockmen and farmers will at !
tend the Stock Show and study the |
practical lessons truglt there each
year. 1t is no longer proposition
of large herds of ten-dollar cattle,
but small herds Of hundred dollar
cattle, and that does rot mean scrub |
long horns, but hish-grade impro we'd
cattle. Even under present high
prices the man who handles cheap
cattle is having trouble to show
profit while the man handling the
we)l-bred cattle is getting rich.
The next Stock Show ut Denver
will be during the week of January
19 to "a and every farmer and stock
men in this section should make an
effort to attend as simple business
No up-to-date farmer
can afford to stay away.