Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1919-05-02
DAIRY PROFITS BIC
Splendid Returns From Farms in
Western Canada.
Production of Butter and Cheese, COM
handing Highest Prices, Increases
Steadily - Livestock Raisers
at Height of Prosperity.

Dairying is rapidly approaching one
of the first positions in Western Cam
ada agriculture. This does not apply
particularly to any one of the three
Western Canada provinces, as they all
participate in the distinction.
A report recently published by the
Alberta Department of Agriculture
shows that in 1918, in spite of adverse
conditions of labor and the high cost
of feed, there was no decline in the
industry. 1t will be interesting to
know that the average number of mich
cows per farm is SO. The total pro-
duction of creamery butter in the
provinces in 1918 was 100000. as
against 8,944,OOO pounds in 1917.
No better evidence of the growth of
Western Canada can be given than by
the fact that in ten years the produc-
tion of butter has increased from
100000 pounds and of cheese from
$3.50 pounds to $4,000 pounds. When
it is known that in the production OF
grain so much energy was placed, and
through which bank deposits were
increased, homes made comfortable,
farms carefully titled, it will be real
lied that the increase in dairy produc-
ton has been remarkable. During the
past four years the price to the pro-
Queer increased Is per cent.
Further evidence of the great inter-
est taken in the dairy and livestock
industries is found in recent bull sales.
At Edmonton the average price of 141
was $231.O6; at Calgary 784 head
were sold, bringing an average price OF
$269.13; while at Lacombe 10 bulls
brought an average of $191.34. Sales
in Manitoba a few days ago gave fully
as good IN average, or better. The
sales were attended by farmers from
all parts of the country. The high
prices paid show that good stock was
required, and, no matter the price, the
farmer had the money to pay for it.
AS evidence of this we find that at a
sale recently held at Carman, Mani
toba, buyers were present from all
parts of the province, besides some
from Saskatchewan points. Five head
of Herefords brought $500 each. A
Shorthorn bull was sold for $500 and
registered Shorthorn cows brought
$500 each.
The establishments of creameries
and cheese factories throughout the
entire West is on the increase, and it
will only be within the period of a
very few years before Western Can
ada will occupy a position in the first
ranks in the dairy production of the
continent.
There is complete government SUI
pervisions over creameries and cheese
factories. The government takes care
of the sales, looks after the manufac-
turer and employs as heads of the in
stitutions highly paid and efficient
managers.
It may well be said that the dairy
industry of Western Canada is rapidly
coming into its own. At present it is
but an adjunct to the parent or fore
most industry of the c0untry-the
growing Of grain, but while an adjunct,
it is a highly important one. The price
of farm lands is gradually increasing,
but not in the rapid proportion that
has been shown in other countries.
This rise in price does not materially
increase the cost of production, nor
lessen the profits that may be derived
from an acre Of wheat, oats or barley.
The advance in the prices of these
grains has more than doubled the use
of tractors has lessened the cost.