The Delta independent., 1917-04-27
LIVE STOCK NEWS
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Oh. A. Lindgren, U. S. DEPARTMENT of
Agriculture Montrose COIol

A6fiCutuTe, MOutIOSe, SOlO.)
There is at this time great need
for the conservation of the supply OF
live stock in the United States. There
is an appeal going out to the farming
population to increase the acreage OF
cereals and other food crops 1t is
important that the meat production
side be emphasized also. Prof G. E.
Morton has recently Used an article
on the subject which is timely and
contains valuable information. The
article follows:
Colorado must realize that the state
and country are facing real food
shortage. Most farmers probably are
beginning to see that such a shortage
exists in cereals, but it is just as true
of live stock and meat products. The
severe winter and lack of feedstuffs in
many sections has resulted in heavy
losses of beef cattle and in thousands
more coming through the winter in
poor shape.
1.-The confinement of poultry caused
by weather conditions apparently has
resulted in extremely low fertility of
eggs. and poor hatcres. The high price
of all meat animals has induced many
to cash in on cows and old sows, thus
reducing the breeding stock available.
Everything possible must be done TO
counteract this.
The production OF cereals for di.
rect human consumption is necessary,
but care should be taken not to break
up too much alfalfa ground in the at
tempt to increase the cereal produc-
ton. Otherwise we will face another
shortage of forage next winter. with
a second season OF severe livestock
losses
In dry land sections the acreage
of forage crops should be increased
to the limimt. Increase in these sec
tions will not curtail cereal production.
as spring grains without irrigation are
merely a gamble which is not 5usti-
ficatIon under present conditions.
I'm order to care for the forage
crops in case OF drouth and to make
the fullest possible utilization OF them
II they come to maturity. pit silos
should be built by every farmer in the
arid section. The pit silo in great
many soils can be built simply by dig
ging hole in the ground. For per
NANCY this should be lined with a two
inch concrete wall, but under the
stress of circumstances this could be
delayed season II the pit is not snuk
too deep.
"In these sections cows should be
MIXED wherever possible, raising the
calves on the skim milk, rather than
allowing them to suckle their moth.
ers. The net amount Of human food
gotten by the production of butter fat
and the growing Of calves on skim
milk is far greater than where the
calves are grown on whole milk.
Care should be AIKEN to conserve
the milk supply near cities. because II
the supply of whole milk to cities is
diminished 1t means the extended use
Of costlier and less satisfactory food
for children. A dangerous situation
exists near Denver today. The cost OF
foodstuffs has been going up for years
and has shot skyward during the past
year. The price OF milk has not gone
up In Denver to the point that It has,
In every large city in the East As
result numerous herds of dairy cows
near Denver are being sold and scatter
ed out over the state. Their product
will not be lost to the state, but will
appear in the form OF butter, the use
OF which can be more readily des-
pensed with than can whole milk. I'm.
less the people OF Denver realize the
situation promptly and meet the dairy.
men on raise OF price to 10 cents
per quart. they will face a milk short.
age next winter and they will be com.
PEELED to offer that price and not be
able TO procure the milk
"Dairymen should not veal calves
from large bodied cows. Anything OF
large enough frame that will make
beef. even though II is dairy bred
should go into the rands of men In
the country with cheaper feedstuffa
who can raise these calves to matur.
ity for beef.
Veal at best is a wasteful meat.
very watery and lacking in nutrition.
Every householder and butcher should
discourage its use.
"The most encouraging phase OF the
meat situation is the sharp demand