Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-02-06
BEEF CATTLE
BRING GOOD sum
Two Hundred Head Shipped From
Bonners Ferry During Past Year
by Boundary Farmers
RETURNS TOTAL 100000
Better Grade Of Stock Needed Says
Experienced Stockman

II you were asked TO guess now
many head of beef cattle had been
shipped out of the Boomers Ferry
station the past season, what would
be your estimate? The Herald has
made little inquiry along this line
from those who have kept a close
tab of the cattle business in the
county and it has been learned that
approximately 200 head of fat cat
tie have been shipped to Spokane
and other markets from this sec
ton. 1t was also stated that these
would average about $50 a head to
the farmer, making a total of $10,-
10000 turned into the community
from this source.
This number of beeves turned out
shows a considerable increase ever
the production of any previous year
for some time past. 1t would indi-
cate that the farmers are turning
more generally to stoclSraising, which
would be mighty good thing for
the farmers and the county it. such
were the case. But it is reported
that some farmers have sold off
their herds and do not intend to
stock up again. On the other hand
others are engaging in the business
and are getting in a better grade
of stock. In discussing this matter
with Frank Zimmerman of the City
Meat Market, Mr.. Zimmerman said
the great need of the cattle raising
business in Boundary county at
this time was a better grade of
stock. with a very few excep-
tions," said Mr.. Zimmerman, "there
is not what one could call a real
good sire in the county, of the beef
strain. A number of farmers who
are raising cattle have a bull Of
very mediocre breeding and have
kept him with their herds from six
to eight years with the natural re-
suit that they are producing a lot
of young stock that shows all the
evils of in-breeding. In other words
and in plain language too great a
percentage of the stock raised local
ly is of the scrub variety.
what is needed" continued Mr..
Zimmerman, is the purchase by the
farmers of registered Durham or
Hereford bulls or others from the
recognized beef strain. These will
cost approximately $4,000 apiece.
Then change sires every three years.
In this way the evils of in-breeding
would soon be overcome and the
grade of stock produced would soon
be greatly improved. Another fac
tor in the local situation is that
the stock needs better care. There
is money in stockraising if it is
gone into right, but like everything
else it demands careful attention if
a success is to be made of the bust
ness"
Among those who have made a
good start in the right direction IL
raising fat cattle is Charley Early
living on Ball creek, and Elmer Des
Voignes of Copeland. Mr.. Early pur-
chased a fine White Face sire but
unfortunately the animal died. How
ever, he has the foundations for &
good herd and has turned out some
very good beef. 1t is said he ha;
made good money from his herd
Mr.. Des Voignes is specializing with
Herefords and is building up fine
herd of registered stock. He ha:
found ready sale for all his bull
calves and has also sold some fat
stock to the buyers. He also i:
making a success of the underta
king.
Mr.. Zimmerman stated that prac
tically all the marketable stock haC
been cleaned up in the county anC
hereafter they would have to shil
in cattle to supply their trade, which
indicates that there is a ready sail
for all the stock that can be raised