The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-12-29

NHT6DaT60
ment of Agricultural
On sections where live stock produc-
ton is incidental to other systems of
farming and more especially in dairy
districts where most farmers have only
a small number Of animals to sell at
one time, there is a considerable
amount of stock in excess of local de-
mands which must be marketed in less
than carload lots. In some localities
farmers live stock shipping assOcia-
lions, one of the newer forms OF or
ganized cooperation have proven OF
great benefit to stock raisers and
dairymen. The plan Of several live
stock raisers combining to market a
carload of stock has been more or less
common for many years, but it is only
within the past eight years that asso-
Citations have been formed for this pur-
pose. At present there are approx
mately 500 organizations in the various
states that are shipping stock in the
cooperative plan. About 200 of these
are in Minnesota, where the first one
was organized, and the remainder are
divided among the following states in
numerical order: Wisconsin, Nebras-
ka, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Kansas, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and
Ohio.
Advantages of Shipping Associations.
Several advantages are derived by
farmers from cooperation in market
ing their stock. Foremost among them
is the greater net return to the farmer.
He receives the actual market price
for his stock, less the cost of market
ing. Returns from thin stock, calves
and lambs shipped in this way often
are surprising, as it is on these classes
of stock that the local buyers ordf-
narily make their largest profits, 100
per cent being not uncommon.
The economy in time and labor spent
in collecting and delivering stock for
shipment is an important feature of
the shipping associations. Usually
there are several buyers operating in
a community, driving about from farm
to farm dickering with the farmers for
their stock. Wherever the farmers
have organized shipping associations
the business of local buyers has been
reduced and in some cases entirely dis
placed. One association manager often
is enabled to ship the stock from the
same territory formerly covered by
several local shippers. 1t is reported
from one county in Minnesota in which
shipping associations have been organ
lied that seven association managers
now are shipping the stock previously
purchased by "a local stock buyers. a
similar condition exists in numerous
other localities.
Through these associations the farm
er usually can market his stock when
it is ready and does not have to wait
until local shipper is ready to buy it
Further, he is reimbursed for animals
killed or injured in transit, whether
he consigns one head or a carload OF
stock. This is made possible by the
fund set aside for that purpose. An
other advantage of Importance is the
consideration received at the central
market, due to the volume of business
handled through the association.
How to Organize.
The simple form of organization that
suffices for such associations is one
of their leading features. In the frs
place, practically no capital is re
quired. since payment is not made tt
members for stock shipped until the
returns are received from the market
To organize it is necessary only thai
the farmers Of a community meet to
gether, adopt a simple constitution anC
bylaws and elect officers and a board
of directors, who in turn appoint &
manager.
II - hT,Ci
ness it is not necessary for an asSocia
ton of this nature to incorporate IN
der the state laws, it is advisable t.
do so as protection to the members
| If not Incorporated the organizations
as such, cannot sue or be sued, and il
case of the loss of stock from railroad
wrecks or other cause the manage
could not enforce claims for the asso
citation, but each shipper would b.
compelled to present claims for hi
own losses. The cost of Incorporating
is comparatively smaIl-usually no
more than SO.
Officers and Management.
Wherever agreeable to members 1
is considered advisable that the OF
| fee of secretary and treasurer be he'll
by banker or other business man Il
the town in which the organization
operates instead of by farmer locat
ed several miles out Of town. Bank
ers usually are somewhat familiar wit
the livestock business and are cor
veniently situated and equipped to PEI
form the duties of the Ceice.
Some associations recommend tina
a clause be included IN the bylaws t
provide for the assessment of damage
Rations of Pigs