Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-05
Reducing Dairy Herds.

We believe the most serious menace
growing out Of the prevailing high
prices IL the tendency in farming dis
tricts to dispose Of live stock. par
ticularly Of cows and calves. With
prices Of feed Jumped 30 per cent. and
without a corresponding increase in
prices OF dairy product, many dairy
men are discouraged and are reducing
their herds Cows are going to market
at an alarming rate. Consumers are
confronted with an immediate short
age and conditions to follow that are
dificult to estimate. Years are re-
quired to build UP herd. and a short
sge Of dairy products in the next few
months would mean unheard-of prices
and hardships to consumers. to last
indefinitely.
We cannot too strongly urge owners
OF cows and heifers to hold them. in
spite Of the cost.
On Thursday the Dairy Bureau
Of the Massachusetts, Board Of Agri-
culture issued communication
to the dairymen Of the state warning
them mot to sell out simply because
grain is high in price" The price Of
milk and tho prices Of COWS will both
be high. the bureau says. Farmers are
advised to raise crops in rotation to be
fed green during the summer. to raise
larger crops for winter feeding. and
to buy less grain. The stock Of dairy
cattle in the United States is lower
today in proportion to the total popu-
lation than 1t has been in so years.
We are in receipt Of a letter from
tho New England Milk Producers AS
ISOLATION. calling mass meetings in IS
counties of New England to discuss a
situation that is rapidly becoming
moro serious. Business men and fin
ancial institutions are invited to be
present and help to solve the prob
lem. These meetings are being hastily
arranged for Monday. May I, details
being left to the heads Of county or
Canizations. Producers will be ex-
pected to state plainly and uneouiyo-
cally the present situation, what may
be expected OF them in the production
OF milk II existing conditions contin-
TIC and the general result on dairy
products II no change can be expected.
Reports to the Boston headquarters
OF the association are to the effect
that many producers all over the ter
rtory are discouraged by the grain
prices and outlook: that hundreds Of
cows are being sold for slaughter:
that calves are being disposed OF. in
stead Of being held for renewal Of
herds. and that the production of milk
VIII be greatly decreased during the
next few months: to so great an ex.
tent. In fact. that the supply will be-
wholly inadequate to fill the demand.
Dairying is New Englands largest
single industry and its great import.
ance 10 not to be questioned. Yet. at
TINS particular time. when every gov
ernmental effort is being made to con.
serve and increase the food supply of
tho nation. the situation in regard 10
this most important branch is rapidlv
becoming pecarious. 1t is with the
idea OF learning the unvarnished facts
and OF securing evidence which will
furnish light on developments of the
future that the mass meet.
ings have beeen called.
As an adequate supply of milk and.
other dairy products is a matter Of the
utmost importance to the public. il is
proposed to make the meetings COM
-munity affairs. Some solution Of the
problem must be found If disaster
would be averted. More grain and
cheaper grain is the solution of the
problem, but where an increase in
supply is coming from or how the
price is to be decreased are the first
questions.