Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-09
Meat Animals ON the Farms

some very interesting hgures are found in the
Monthly Crop Report of the Department of Agri-
culture, particularly those having to do with the
number OF animals on farms in the United States
at the beginning OF the year. Horses on farms on
January /, 1917, number 81 10000, decrease for
the year OF 33000 but the price has advanced more
than dollar head, the average farm value OF
horses being now $10294 Mules have increased
in both total and price, the number being 463000O
and the farm price $1l8.32. Mich cows show SINH
lar gain, numbering 22,768000 and valued at
$500 as against 1882 year ago. Other cattle
continue to increase in both numbers and value
the count showing increase of million head
during the year and an advance in average farm
value from 1888 to $35.88 per head, the total
number on January /, 1917 being 4O,8lo,0OO
Sheep decreased slightly in numbers but advanced
nearly " per head in price, numbering 4S,4S3,000
and held at STA apiece Swine also fell off in
numbers by $4,000, but went up in price, the total
being 67,453000 and the value $1173 The total
value OF all farm animals on January was $685.,
100000, an increase of II per cent for the year
Nebraska's share in this is imposing, the total
value of animals on farms in the state at the first
of the year being estimated at 1921 ,795,OO0. The
presence of the automobile and the drain Of war
are suggested by the fact that the number Of
horses in the state has fallen steadily at the rate
of 10000 year for the last three years. but the
total is still respectable, the state ranking sixth
in the union with 1,0l800O horses Waited at $685.
10000 Nebraska is not much Of mule state,
ranking fourteenth, with $4,000 mules, valued at
1l,872,00O on its farms Some advance in dairy
ing is indicated by the fact that the number Of
mich cows has increased 5000 in three years,
the total now being $4,000, valued at $45968000.
Nebraska ranks twelfth in the Union In this re-
spect When it comes to other cattle the state
lists third, with only Texas and Iowa leading; the
total for Nebraska being $4,000 animals, their
value being put down at $l04,06l 900, an increase
of 100000 head and $33,0O000O in value in three
ClA~x~ -. Il. IT,
with farm value Of $2ss8,0O0, being found on
January |, but this value is almost double what IT
was three years ago. Twenty-seven states have
more sheep than Nebraska. Only Illinois and
Iowa raise more pigs than this state, the total for
Nebraska ssa ao being put down at ooo an increase
OF l,7OO0O0 in three years. The value Of these
animals, $6Q,326,00O is an increase Of $22OOO,0OO
over the figures Of three years ago.
These figures are eloquent, both of the farm
ers prosperity and of the potential food supply in
the United States In total value horses increased
mich cows increased $66, 100000 other cattle in
creased $l30,858,00O, sheep increased $o4,47O,0OO
and swine increased SCI, $50 900. The total in
crease in value Of farm animals for the year is
1864 $4,000.
The number of animals not on farms-that is,
IN cities or villagesis not computed annually, but
In 1910 the census return gave their numbers as
follows Horses, 3,l83,0O0; mules, 10000; cattle,
10000; sheep, 9l,000; swine, l28S,0OO The
same census also reported 10000 asses and
burros on farms and 10000 not on farms, and
29ls,000 goats on farms and $4,000 not on
farms.
In the increase of 100000 mich cows and
10000 other cattle during the year, when temp
tation to sell enhanced by steadily increasing
prices, is found the answer to the warning sent
out several years ago against the slaughter of the
young animals. Breeders are reapng reward
from efforts to conserve the cattle supply The
growth OF the dairy industry, too is reflected in
some degree in these figures. A steady increase
In the number of mich cows is noted through the
years since the census Of 1870 when the count
was 2O,62S000 for the country Over two mil
lion more cows are now producing milk for the
uses Of man, notable addition to the sources sup
ply Of food within eight years. Other cattle are
somewhat below the total of 1910 but show ma
fallen of 4oooooo head IN the eight years but but
swine have increased at the rate Of more than
million year.
Imports of cattle have increased from 10000
in 1904 to $4,000 IN 1916. Exports have decreased
from $4,000 head to 1900 head in the same time
The banner year for importation was in 1914
when S72, 600 head Of cattle were brought into the
country from outside Sheep imports are about
the same, 10000 head in 1916 and 238,0OO in 1904
Exports have dropped from 30l 900 head in 1904
to $1,000 in 1910. Swine exports were 5000 head
m 1904 and 1900 head m 1916. Exports of meat
have not increased as might have been anticipated
as a result of the war to the extent the public
has been led to believe. In 1904 the total exports
of meat amounted to 1,815 900, 900 pounds in 1916
the total was l,o55, 100000 pounds. In 1906 the
high water mark for expectation was reached,
when 2,206,000000 pounds of meat went abroad,
and the lowest year of the group was 1910, when
shipments fell off to 1037,OOO.O0O pounds. In
the meantime. importation of meats steadily
mounted, growing from 100000 pounds in 1904
to 23o0O0,000 pounds in 1915, dropping then to
l0l 100000 pounds in 1916
This report indicates, if anything that no seri-
GUS shortage in meat supply exists in the United
States and that our shipments to Europe or else
where have not risen to abnormal figures as the
result of the war.