Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-08
IOWALEADS ALL
STATES in HOGS
WAR PROVES STIMULATION TO
PRODUCTION OF LIVE
STOCK.

Never in the history of the United
States has there been stimulation
both in demand and prices for live
stock to compare with that inspired BY
the world war.
Iowa is already leading the other
states in swine production and II
makes a showing in other live stock.
Com PARSONS of the present with
which are made by the government,
are not merely interesting but in some
cases startling. They show that Iowa
has kept pace with the rest Of the
country in the matter Of live stock
production.
Singularly enough horses and mules
are the only supply that show 70
duction in price over that at the be-
ginning of the war in Iowa, although
there is little falling of in the de-
mand. In 1914 when the demand for
Iowa horses opened in this country
animals that could meet the require
ments required by foreign armies
brought an average Of $118 per head.
They continued to drop in price until
last year the average price per head
was s1O7 per head. They are now
quoted at $104. There has been a
slight falling of in the number Of
horses in Iowa.
GOOD SUPPLY OF CATTLE.
In 1914 there we're in Iowa more
than 1.5S4,0o0 head Of horses and de-
spite the demand the number was in
creased in 1915, 1906, 900 head. but the
supply has dropped to 1,5s3,0oo head
the present year.
Mules which brought 1923 in 1914
are now worth an average of $116.
Mich COWS are increasing both in
value and number as the supposed
result Of the war necessities. The
average price Of Iowa cows in 1914
was $50 but the price has advanced
to ST, according to the figures OF the
United States department of agncul-
ture and it is safe to say that it
would be difficult to get good milk
producers at the prices quoted. There
were in Iowa in 1914, according to
the government report, 1850. 900 cows
and at the present time there are
1,405,00O.
PACKERS CATTLE ADVANCE.
In food live stock the changes in
Iowa have been still more surprising.
Packing house cattle have increased
in price since 1914 to the present
time f-2-l an average Of 500 per head
to s47.gO In 1914 there were In
Iowa 2,555,0 900 head Of cattle which
have increased the present year to
100000 due, it is believed. largely
to the meatless day program and the
response of the farmers in helping to
increase the food supply.
Sheep have jumped in price from
$3.50 in 1914 to 1880 the present
year. Notwithstanding the demand
for wool and meat the supply has
dropped from 1,249.0 900 in 1914 to
/ ,224,00o head in 1918.
SWINE MAKE GREAT SHOWING.
The most remarkable showing is
made by swine which have increased
in price 100 per cent. At the out.
break Of the war in 1914. hogs were
selling at an average Of $3.50 on the
hoof. Today the average price is
quoted at $24.20 and the prospects
are that the top has not been reached.
That the farmers Of Iowa have made
patriotic response to the govern
ments appeal for greater produc-
ton Of meat animals is shown by the
fact that in 1914 there we're in Iowa
approximately 6,T6,0o0 head Of swine.
Today there are 10,307 900 and it is
expected that spring litters will do,l-
BILE these figures.
Iowa has jumped to the front as
the greatest swine raising state in
the union. 1t is believed that the
Iowa farmer is going to maintain this