Fergus County Democrat., 1915-12-30
THOMAS SHAW
ON LIVESTOCK
NOTED AGRlcULTURALisT TELLS
FARMERS NOT TO DEPEND
ON WHEAT ALONE.
MORE MONEY IN MIXED FARM|NG

If ever there was an opportune time
for the farmers on the prairie to in
vest in livestock, that time is now. The
northwest never produced a crop like
that OF the past season. While the
price of wheat is less than was ex-
pected, it is relatively good compared
with the prices paid in recent years,
with the exception of 1914. While no
doubt much of the return will be
wanted in other ways, surely some Of
it can be spared for making begin
ming in livestock by those who have
not had any. The one obstacle in the
way is the high price which the stock
commands. 1t is not SO high, however,
but that the farmer who has been fav-
ored with big crop of wheat may
not spare from the proceeds enough
to pay for couple of cows, or few
brood sows or small band Of sheep.
This will call for some fencing, but
the amount called for need not be
large. A beginning will thus be made.
The stock will soon increase, and ere
long the farm will be stocked to its
| full capacity.
| If the question is raised which kind
Of stock should be purchased, the an
swer is that circumstances should de-
termine the investment, where there
is a family, cows should be bought.
Where there is no family sheep or
swine may answer the purpose better.
Another man may prefer to raise
horses from the brood mares which
are used in doing the work of the
farm. The natural tastes of the indi-
vidual should govern also, at least to
some extent. :.
| The danger is on the part Of those
who invest in stock that they will
want to purchase more than they
should. The American farmer seldom
wants to begin in small way, and
there is merit in such an ambition, but
like an unruly steed, 1t should be firm
ly kept in place with bride and bit
It would be great mistake for one to
| 60 largely into keeping livestock who
is not well versed with the same. The
person also who does not live on his
farm and who cannot give it close per-
sonal supervision should also 60 slow
ly with livestock investment
! II the claim is true and it certainly
is, that the areas now devoted to the
|
better return when farmed on the
mixed farming plan, why should it not
be thus farmed, and why should not
the farmers generally being to farm it
thus. A few animals on the farm
may carry the farmer through in q
year when the grain crops are failure.
In nearly all areas of the northwest,
a cow can be carried for a year in
| good form on the produce of three to
four acres of land, should the products
grown be winter rye for pasture, and
corn and alfalfa for fodder This can
be done on almost any dry land farm.
The cream from that COW should be
worth SIS per year in the average mar
ket. Her calf well raised should be
worth $50 in good market at one
year old The return from the COW and
calf for one year should be $125.
| The two should be kept during that
year on the produce of five acres. This
would mean a return of $25 an acre.
OF course the labor must be taken
into account. The man who can do
that can live and make some money
on the dry land farm.
But should it be objected that the
farmer and especially the beginner in
northwestern areas where the markets
are not well adjusted cannot get these
prices, which is probably true. Then
let deduction be made Of 20 per cent
or one fifth of the whole, the return
from the five acres is 5000 or $50 an
acre. Now If the dry land farmer can
get return of $40 an acre for his
labor, where has he any ground for
complaint. Even though it took seven
acres to feed the two animals there is
still $14 an acre, and it is sure thing.
Twenty bushels of wheat per acre in
dry areas is not sure thing nor are
II bushels always sure. | have seen
corn in the northwest during recent
months, one acre of which had
enough of food nutrients in it to feed
a COW for year.
; THOMAS SHAW.
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