Arizona republican., 1917-01-19
" the demand for fresh meats

The vital questions before this con-
vention today are: how we can devise
more efficient ard economical means
for the production of live stock; how
we can maintain and develop the
means for transporting this live stock
to market, with good service at rea-
sonable rates; how we can eliminate
speculation from the handling of the
feeding of live stock; how we can
improve conditions in the stock yards,
SO that, with the minimum amount
of waste and with the best operation
of a thoroughly free and uncontrolled
market, this live stock may be fairly
sold, without annoying delays, and
promptly delivered to the slaughterer,
who pays what it is worth.
Some might say that the duty of
the producer ends at this point. | do
not agree with those, but believe it
is our further duty TO take a keen in
terest in the distribution of these meat
products to the consumer, under such
conditions as will increase the con-
sumption of meat products and main
tain our people as virile, meat
eating nation. We must not forget,
in this connection that statistics show
that our meat supply per capita mas
iallen from 24S.2 pounds in 1899 to
2196 pounds in 1916. or a. decline IF
over " per cent.
Another problem confronting us is
now, through definite, constructive
plans co-operated in by the feeder,
the commission man, the transporta-
ton company, and the packer, the
price of live stock at the great cen
trail markets car be stabilized How
can speculation in meat products be
eliminated? 1t is possible to simplify
the means of distribution, and, owing
to the present very high prices of by
products, to supply dressed meats and
meat products to the consumer at re-
duced prices, thus increasing con-
sumption?
THE packers say that their interest
is in the volume of business, and that
they are making only S1.25 per head
on cattle slaughtered. The producer
and feeder are also interested in the
volume Of business, and it is to then
interest, under the most modern, sci
entific breeding and feeding methods
possible, to produce just as much live
stock as possible, provided the returns
for their labor and investment are
fair and equitable. Why? For the
reason that the more cattle, sheep, or
hogs produced on the land, the more
valuable that land becomes to the
community from q productive stand
point, and it's soil vitality, when hand
led in live stock, is renewed, strength
ened, and conserved The history of
civilization shows us that every ma
ton which has maintained itself as an
agricultural, producing nation
has preserved its greatness, and that,
when these agriculturists and stock
producers flock to the cities, then be-
gins that nations decline
Great problems will confront Amer
lea at the close of the terrific war
which is now devasting Europe
France, the Teutonic nations, Great
Britain, and Russia have all suffered
enormous agricultural losses, both of
men and of live stock, and, as ono
writer says. the demands of the
trenches for increased meat supplies
have not only used up the normal live
stock production, but have cut seri-
ously into the breeding stock of the
western nations. making u shortage
Of both meat products a certainty for
the immediate future.
AT the close of the war the energy,
the industry. and the power of the
millions of men on the continent of
Europe who are now engaged in des-
tructlon viii be turned into the chan
nels of industry. These men will have
learned the value of discipline, but
they will have to be fed. and for at
least a number of years n large share
of their meat products will have to be
imported. They will turn to the two
Americas for this supply. and in our
efforts 10 meet this demand we shall
encounter the competition of South
America. with its great stock produc-
ing countries-Argentina and Brazil
steadily increasing their meat sup
ste
ficiency in handling this supply:
steadily increasing their vast areas of
alfalfa pasturage, which wonderful
crop can be grown in Argentina more
cheaply than in any other country in
the world; steadily increasing their
packing house facilities, and growing
more and more powerful economic
competitor Of our nation in supplying
the meat products needed by Europe.
During the past year the exports of
meat products from Argentina have
greatly increased. over 80 ner cent of
these products are beef, and one effect
of the war is that the beef shipments
from Argentina are changing from
chilled TO frozen meat.
Il he'd hoped that our good friend.
Mr. Murdo Mackenzie, whose loyalty
to the work of this association has
remained mistaken despite his absence
in Brazil, might be with us at this
convention, that he might give us di-
rect information as to the present con-
dition of the livestock industry in
south America: but you will all be re-
joiced to know that he expects to re-
turn to America early in the spring.
and, | hope, will remain with us per-
manently.
1T is well for us to take time to
consider these new world wide condi-
tons confronting US. and by co-opera-
ton to increase our live-stock pro-
duction per acre: simplify methods
of distribution; increase the economic
efficiency of our marketing methods
eliminate waste and speculation. and
thus do our full share toward national
preparedness by being ready. not only
to feed the people of this country
without fear of foreign competition
and with ample tariff protection. but
also to supply such portion of the
meat products consumed by Europe. as
will not interfere with the meat
supply OF our own people.
Markets
AS those Of you who attended oui
! Do