The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-17

submit the following on the livestock
and feeding situation.
/ have recently returned from the
international Livestock exposition at
Chicago where was called primarily
to superintend the students judg-
Ing contest OF the international Live
stock exposition, a function which /
have carried annually since 1905.
While in Chicago had the OPP
portunity OF meeting and talking
with many prominent stockmen, who
have studied the future of the meat
stock and heavy horse business. 1t
was generally agreed that there is
q shortage and that future prices
for meat stock are likely to rule
high. That they believe what they
say is indicated by the high prices
which they paid at public auction for
high class breeding stock.
also had an opportunity to
examine the receipts and slaughter
records OF the Chicago Union Stock
Yards Co. with their statistician, as
has been by annual custom. These
figures show that heavy sales and
slaughter have occurred among
young meat animals and among the
female breeding stock. Their figures
Indicate q greater probable shortage
than the government records do.
Soft corn in much OF the corn belt
is causing the feeding out and quick
marketing Of a large number OF light
hogs. Much of the 1917 corn crop
will not do to bulk even in compare
lively small amounts and must be
fed out almost as quickly as 1t is
husked in the field. In consequence
much of the hog population has gone
to market carrying one-half to two
thirds ~ ffa Rnru1nI wuafoht and enn
amount Of visible prospective pork is
reduced by the amount that these
pigs are short in weight.
All reliable sources OF information
that have been able to consult indi-
cate a shortage OF meat stock now
and a scramble for breeding stock
at the close Of the war. With these
facts in mind IL would seem to me
that this Is one Of the poorest times
10 sacrifice livestock for North Da-
kota farmers. The two short wheat
crops OF 1916 and 1917 are evidence
that we should depend on livestock
to a greater extent in the future than
W. have been doing in the past.
Our country needs the meat stock as
we are constantly reminded by the
suggestion Of 'smeatless days" cave
the fat" shortage Of hides and wool,
etc, and there is good reason TO be-
lieve that future prices win make
the production OF livestock profit
able.
It is time to think very carefully
where and what feed can be secured
to the best advantage. The straw
crop this year, while scarce, is bright,
well cured and good for feeding as
straw goes. A little laxative grain
feed given to stock which are less
AEmN. n
other weak stock will help to get
health and with more thrift than can
be done without supplying this addi-
tionsl feed and in many cases IL may
be necessary to give them such gain
to get them through alive. The weak
ones that need help should be
promptly separated from the larger
stronger members of the herd before
they grow poor, pinched and dis
couraged. Bran or oilmeal have the
laxative effect as a feed which / have
Those who have roots or
silage stored, of course, have cheap
feed of their own production at hand
which viii take care Of this difficulty
with the straw and hay ration.
This Is a good time to give alfalfa
hay to brood sows as a means Of
saving grain feed. as well as to keep
them thrifty, wen exercised and
vigorous.
A keen watchout and good judg-
ment in feeding and handling your
different beasts is what counts in
getting them through the winter.
Make their shelter as comfortable as
Il is possible to do. and feed accord |
ing to the individual or group re-
Be sure to attend TO the
items Of feeding. housing and
exercising which will keep them
and vigorous. Have their
warm, but be careful to /
keen them dry. Listen to what your 1
wives and mothers say. They know
by q sort Of motherly instinct what
animals need. They will propose
some impractical things to be sure, l
b11f they will notice features and
suggest ideas that will help liz YOU /
viii encourage them to- look your
stock over with YOU.
The whole country Is interested in
The future livestock supply. The
.meatIess day slogan has no other
and It Is well known
that dairy cows provide more human
food from an acre OF crop than any 4
,ther class Of farm animals. Pork
products are especially adapted 70
government needs and the heavy
future requirement Of wool Is a prime
actor both In price and necessity.
II you must ship In feed your bank
r. and business men are very short
sighted III they are not willing 10 4
aeIu Won do 80 at the very lowest 4
possible price. Their future as well
n yours depends upon IT, Feed is
gerv high and the shipping charges
viii necessarily Be heavy on account
" the distance IL VIII come. But -
Win. in my opinion, pay better 20 buy
ma ship In feed than to sacFihce
breeding stock and young animals
,oth Of which viii be ready 20 grow
nto money next spring ~ you can
ret them through the winter. As
.aid Ia en- earlier paragraph all re-
table Information indicates q short
ZEE Sc meat stock Pige run into
lnmbers rapidly bat I do not look
~ fun number Of brood gOWg next
.nrfr~ which shenld mean year %