Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-02-05
War and Live Stock.

Il w. ~ s>sNO S~ODees
The worlds productions OF hides
wool and animal food products was al
ready strained to meet the demand
when the war began. Now the suppl,
is far from sufficient.
The need Of animal products and th
shortage Of feeds and labor has causes
heavy slaughter of all Glasses Of live
stock, In both Europe and America
The Federal Food Administration ca
Inmates the total decrease in cattle a
2S. .OO0, 900. sheep at "a. SOC, 900 and hog
at 81. .425, 900. The slaughter OF poultry
has been enormous, probably not NOR
than one half of the poultry population
Of this country remaining, the stocks o
Europe greatly depleted and with whole
areas swept clean Of any feathered In
habitants.
The European demand for our anima
products will be continued long after
the advent of peace. For years to come
We may look forward to high prices or
meats, fats, hides, wool and all animal
products. Our problem then, is mol
only to supply our armies and allies
now, and for the duration OF the war,
but we must also prepare to meet the
great demand for breeding stock which
will come with peace.
Our herds and focks cannot be In.
creased in single night or in q single
year. A few moments of slaughter de
pletss herds which require years and
years of patient breeding and feeding to
replace. Our stock keepers will beyond
any doubt, serve their own interests In
laying the foundations of larger and
better herds and focks now, and they
will also serve the nation and the well
fare of humanity for years to come II
the best strains Of cattle, sheep, swine
and poultry are conserved and propagat.
ed
This increase in herds must be &C.
complished and 1t should be done with
profit to the producers. Economy of
production is the keynote Of success,
and for the present, at least, 1t hinges
on minimizing the amount Of purchased
grains and the production on the farm
of more high grade roughage and fodder.
It is we'll to foresee that after the war
Europe, with lessened herds, and
pending their recuperation, will require
less fodder and pasturage and, so, will
produce more bread, grains and foods
and import less OF them. The greatly
increased production of cereal grains
in this country can then no longer be con-
linued, because the foreign market will
have disappeared unless livestock pro-
duction is now fostered SO that surplus
grains may be marketed in the form of
much needed meats, hides, wool and
other animal products. In other words,
with the close of war and the return Of
armies and munition workers to the
farms and industry, Europe will be long
on feeds and short on stock. We, too,
ioill be long on feed and short on stock un-
less corrective measures are taken at
once to replenish and invigorate our
live stock industry.
The next few years to come are to be
banner years for livestock breeders in
America. The demand for stock now
is far in excess Of the supply. This con-
dition is being Intensified every day.
Cattle, hogs and sheep are now bringing
unprecedented prices and, with the close
of war, and the coming of buyers to
purchase breeders for replenishing the
stock of Europe, prices on all grades Of
livestock are bound to soar still higher.
The demand for registered cattle, es-
pecially dairy cows, will be tremendous,
even in excess of the fondest hopes Of
pure bred enthusiasts. Now 10 the time
to prepare for the markets that are to
come. 1t is only the breeder who has
the stock that can sell 1t.
FRANK ADAMS.
81. N. TUCKER.
L. E. MCINTYRE.
ALTON POPE.
E.. W. MORTON.
Public Safety Committee on Live
stock Production and Feeding.