The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-03-26
LEONARD SAYS CATTLE
HOGS AND SHEEP
MAKE PROFITS

Arthur G. Leonard, president OF the
Union Stock Yard and Transit Com
pany, OF Chicago, takes very hope
tul view of the outlook He advises
the southern states to go in heavily
for cattle, hogs and sheep. Mr.. Leo
nand says that the world is in the
grip of meat shortage whose dura-
ton is apt to be ten years or more,
and that certainly it will not be less
than five. His article, while written
especially for the southern states is
applicable to the west. His state
ments are of interest to us all. The
FACTS and figures which he presents
and the views which he has should be
of interest to the people of Idaho and
readers of The Tribune.
A resume of the article written by
Mr.. Leonard follows
Easy" money and chance to ex-
tremendous influence on the market
are within the grasp of the small
farmer All he has to do is to let the
waste from his acres support a few
head of live stock, which he will sell
at huge profit.
From the point of view of the
stock raiser the market today pro-
misses rapid improvement. The de-
mand is long and the supply short.
There is at present a surplus in the
packing houses, but it is due to alb
normal conditions. 1t will be dispos
ed soon. Stock will sell high this
summer, and fed cattle will be in a
great demand
The foot-and-mouth disease, which
has been serious menace to the in
dustry, is we'll under control and its
complete eradication is in sight. H.
linois, the worst afflicted of any state,
has now but three cases. With the
lifting of guarantees there will be a
rush to fill up empty feed lots, and
there will be consequent demand
tor feeders from the west. This de-
mand will be increased if the heavy
drop in the corn market of the past
week holds, for when corn is cheap
1t is more profitable to feed it than
to sell it.
Opening for the South.
The south has at this time the
greatest opening in the world to de-
velop a profitable cattle industry. 1t
has only to take advantage of condi-
tons. The south has the climate, the
grass, the water. 1t has everything
needed for an ideal cattle country.
Years ago it was the source of Amer
ica's meat supply. 1t ceased to be so
only when the opening up of the
west, with its vast free ranges, made
cattle raising there SO cheap that the
south could not compete Condi-
tons in the west have returned to
normal and the south again stands an
equal chance in the markets. Farm
ers are waking up to their opportunity
and l look to see the south in few
years advancing by leaps and bounds
IN the production of cattle.
The small farmer, too, is facing a
wonderful opportunity. The waste
from a 4O-acre farm will grow a beef
or steer or several sheep or hogs. 1t
would cost the farmer little to get a
few head, and it would cost him little
to keep them. A sheep, for instance,
will pick up its living unaided through
a large part of the year. What the
animal sells for will almost be clear
profit. If farmers generally through
the country take to the plan the ag-
gregate output from their farms will
help enormously to restore the market
to the point where demand and sup
ply balance.
$500 From Outlay of $500.
The possibilities fon raising stock as
a side line were brought forcibly to
my attention few years ago when |
had the chance to see with what sue
cess farmers in various parts of Eu-
rope did it. | came home and investi-
gated here, and became convinced
that the American farmers had as
good chance as any to pick up easy"
money.
One of the banks at the stock yard
became interested in the idea and be-
gan campaign among the farmers,
emphasizing the possibilities Of sheep
raising. 1t was Shown almost beyond
dispute that with an initial investment
of $500 a farmer could clear 500 in
three years. Since that time mutton
like other meats, has gone much
higher, and profits that were then
possible could now probably be in.
creased IS per cent
World Meat Supply Short.
Back of the market as il is toda,
and influencing it without regard &c
conditions that cause temporary fluc.
tations is the great fact that the meal
supply of the world is short. Cattle
sheep and hogs cannot be had in suf
hcicnt numbers. 1t needs only a SUI
perhcial glance at the situation to un
derStand that the supply, once il be
comes seriously depleted, as it i.
now, can recover only after severa
years. Deficiencies in hogs and sheer
can be made up fairly rapidly, bu
where, as now, there is shortage O
breeding as we'll as feeding animal.
among cattle raisers, it is plain tina
several years must elapse before tn,
conditions normal with reference t.
population can be restored.
A variety of causes accounts for tn,
scarcity of cattle. South America ha
had its terrible ravages from the foot
and-mouth disease. Mexico has ha,
tie ravOlutinue EuroOa boe 80 -.