The Washington times., 1914-06-10
SOUTH MUST RAISE
j. s. BEEF SUPPLY
Big Cattle Shortage Foreshad-
oWs Higher Prices Unless
Dixie Becomes Producer.

CHlCSS lHe SOAlH COITcS 10 tue lIOIII
and largely increases its production of
beef cattle, the people of this country
need expect no relief from the high
prices Of beef. This Is the force of an
article in the new agricultural year
book on the production of beef in the
South, by w. F. Ward, animal hus-
bandry expert of the Bureau of Animal
Industry of the Department of Agri-
culture.
Mr.. Wards article is intended to en-
courage beef production in the South.
At the same time, he makes it plain
that unless much more beef Is pro-
duced there the people OF this country
are going to find themselves from year
to year with lessened supply of beef,
relative to population. available for
consumption. To make the situation
worse, no relief can be expected either
from the hog or sheep supply. which
also shows a tendency to diminish In
proportion to the number of consumers.
Sees Greater Beef Shortage.
A greater shortage of beef in 1870
than now Is foreshadowed- Mr.. Ward
points out that in the decade from 1900
to 1910 the population Of the United
States increased q per cent At the
same time, there was q decrease OF 1876
per cent in the number of cattle avail
able for slaughter purposes. A de-
cline of exports of beef was newt
able. and there was a decrease Of prac-
ueally seven pounds OF beef per capita
exported because Of the increased home
demand.
AS 10 the prospects Of greater short
age, Mr.. Ward says:
IF the population increases in the
decade 1slo-ls2 in the same ratio as
In the previous decade. and beef cattle
do not increase in numbers during the
same period. there must be a greater
shortage Of beef than at the present
time. In fact, since 1910 the export
trade has decreased until during 1912
there was but one and one-half pounds
United States. The amount Of beef
exported as live animals and fresh, can
ned and picked beef during the year
1912 amounted to the equivalent of 197, AS
head Of cattle. while the number i'm
ported was 31S,372 the majority of which
came from Mexico. In other words, this
country has. at least temporarily, ceas-
ed producing as much beef as Is oe-
manded for home consumption, for the
imports for 1912 were over one and one
half times greater than the exports"
Worldwide Shortage.
Mr.. Ward point out that there is a
worldwide shortage OF beef. and the
question of producing enough to supply
the demand is now recognized as of
worldwide Importance Argentina has
been looked on as a rival of the United
States, but its supply Is not as great
as IL was in 1908, according to figures
quoted by Mr.. Ward, who does not SEE
any large supply In any foreign country
available for importation to the United
States.
That higher prices should result from
the decreased production OF beef cat
tie and the increased home demand, ac-
cording to this article, was inevitable.
Coming TO the question & Of meeting the ne
hope of relief unless 1t be from the
South. He says:
4 Look to the South.
There is an urgent demand for more
cattle. but where are they to come
from? Not from the corn belt. where
ths land is worth from SIS to son per
acre, and corn has advanced from 2o
to 90 cents or more per bushel; not from
the ranges Of the West and Southwest,
for the supply of cattle from these sec
tions is decreasing yearly, and the large
ranches are being cut up for the home
steaders and the small farmers, who
arc not giving their attention to beef
production"
He then points out the advantages Of
the South. His statements make II
plain that the South has largely neg
iccted the beef industry. They are in
tended TO encourage the raising OF more
beef cattle in the South. Enormous
sums ere being expended by tht; Fed
eral Government on the eradication OF
the cattle tick in the South, and the
purpose of this movement is to help
along the production of cattle fer food
purposes.
The work OF eradication and disinfec-
ton is being hurried on in every state
OF the South, costing something less
than SO a square mile eradication of
the tick will eliminate loss from Texas
fever and encourage farmers to buy
good stock for breeding purposes.
In respect to weather pasturaGe and
otherwise, the South offers many ad-
vantages as a place FOR raising live
stock Whether The increased beef sup
ply will materialiZe in actual practice,
however, is another question which can
be determined only by the develop
nents of the future.