Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-17
L;ue Stock
and Meats Not Yet
Near Perfection,

Marked variation in methods Of
sections of the United States and in
methods of marketing different classes
OF animals in The country as q whole
has been found by specialists Of the
United States department Of agricul-
ture from survey of the live stock
marketing conditions of the country.
The three general methods Of market
ing found to be in most common use
are:
Shipping to the large centralized
markets, selling to local butchers and
packers, and the sale of farm prepared
meats to dealers or consumers. The
bulk of the animals from the central
states, it was found, Is sold thru the
centralized markets. while some form
OF local marketing predominates in the
extreme eastern, western, and southern
sections.
The great central markets handle
four fifths of the sheep and lambs,
tNo-thirds OF the hogs, and approxi-
mately one-half Of the beef cattle. For
local slaughter about one third Of the
beef cattle, one-eighth Of the sheep
and lambs. and one-twelfth OF the hogs
ere sold. Nearly one-third Of the hogs
ard about one-tenth of the beef cattle
and one-twentieth OF the sheep and
lambs are slaughtered on farms and
ranges. Relatively more sheep are
shipped in carload lots by owners than
any other class Of live stock. Cattle,
hogs, and calves follow In the order
named. In sales to local buyers hogs
lead, with calves. cattle, and sheep fol-
lowing in order.
The study discloaes that the time Of
buying stockers and feeders and the
selling OF finished animals is restricted
too generally to a few months OF the
year Should stock feeding operations
be better adjusted to market condi-
tons. a decided influence toward a
more even distribution Of the supply
would be the result.
Cooperative associations OF cattle
raisers are becoming an important fac
tor in marketing, the report shows.
Seven hundred and fifty organizations
which market cattle in q co operative
way now exist in fifteen states. Four
hundred and thirty OF these organiza-
t.tuS GRE ny iNS SStN" ShaPpAhS
associations. The greatest activity OF
this sort was found In Minnesota,
where els cooperative live stock ship
ping associations are located The de-
partment specialists declare that these
associations bring greater returns to
the farmers because Of the reduction of
marketing expenses and the realization
CT the prevailing prices at the GEN.
tralized markets, and that they are
also valuable because of their educa-
tional features.
Stoekyards and Packing.
The system OF centralized live stock
markets in the United states is the
largest single, factor in the marketing
OF meat animals. It is noteworthy
that this system is peculiar to the
ITni;ed States, no other country having
developed such markets for their live
stock. No, only is live stock sold for
slaughter at the centralized markets,
hut, a large proportion Of stocker and
feeder cattle also passes thru these
market centers-
The chief outlet for food producing
animals In this country. the study dis
closes. is wholesale siaughtering and
meat packing. Such industries usual
II are associated with the great cen-
traiized markets More than 1900
slaughtering and meat packing estab-
lishments were operating in the United
States in 1914 and turned out products
worth 1854. 7s5,424, The specialists
report that one OF the striking features
OF the industry Is the concentration OF
ownership. Packing establishments
f,uy directly from the producer In Cali
hernia to n greater extent than In any
other state or section. This practice,
which in the opinion OF the specialists,
" i'll continue to be important in those
parts Of the country remote from CEN
tralized markets, Is most characteristic
of the western group Of states in gen
cral There liz decided difference OF
opinion among producers. marketmen.
and packers as to the effects OF this
practice in sections supplied with cen
trail markets on the general market
prices OF live stock and on the pros
perity of cattle raigers.
Municipality owned or controlled
abattoirs are becoming increasingly