The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-01
Tremendous Losses to Cattle
Men in Kansas.
Government. Must Act or Men
Face Ruin.
CONSUMER is NOT AFFECTED
Packers Waive Blame So 1t Is
Up to Retailer.
j. III. Mercer Gives Out Star
thing Figures Today.

Kansas cattlemen are losing an
average of $50 head on beef steers,
according to statement today by Joe
Mercer, state livestock sanitary COM
missioner. Mercer declared that con-
ditions in this state were such that
market their steers at production
costs. but were selling at losses rang
ing from SIS to SIS head.
Thousands of cattle are being re-
moved to Texas and southern ranges
where they may be fed at minimum
expense this winter, the state official
asserted. He said that herd owners
in the big cattle counties of Butler,
Greenwood, Chase. Lyon, Marion
Dickinson and other counties were
seeking relief from the present situa-
ton. In many cases the situation is
so serious as to threaten financial ruin
TO stockmen.
Mercer, who has returned from a
conference in Washington. declared
that while some relief was promised
by federal officials. nothing short of
general Sterilization would save feed
ers and producers. Mercer said he
would not seek to place the blame for
continued high prices to consumers
except thru inefficient methods of re-
tailers. He admitted that consumers
have received little or no benefit while
producers have lost millions.
Government Must Act.
Some method of government aid or
sterilization must come to feeders and
producers" Mercer declared, IF they
are to escape financial ruin. These
men answered the demands of, the
government for maximum production
and relied on statements that markets
would remain high for at least two or
three years beyond the duration of
the war.
zone trouble in the export business
has been in the shrinkage of value of
foreign money. The war finance board
has promised some relief thru lower
| transportation rates over. seas. But
unless foreign moneys are in some de-
gree stabilized by this country, 1 do
not see just how real relief can come.
I'm Greenwood. Lyon. Chase. Dick
inson. Marion and other big cattle
counties. feeders and growers are los
ing an average of $50 a head on their
cattle. This does not mean $50 below
a normal profit. 1t means $50 below
the cost of producing a beef steer.
The average is from S35 to as high as
SIS. 1 talked with one, shipper in
Kansas City the other day who told
me he had lost SIS head on his
shipment.
Sending Cattle South.
Many stockmen are seeking relief
from high price of feed by shipping
stock to Texas and the southern
! ranges. But unless better markets
are afforded, doubt If they can over
come losses on cattle already on
! hand
Mercer was asked to place the re-
| sponsibility for the present high prices
to consumers in view of producers
| losses.
II can't say just where II is Mer-
Ger declared. THE packers have pro-
duced detailed figures to show thai
| they have reduced the price of beef as
| the price of cattle went down. But
| the consumer hasn't benefited. The
. trouble may be in inefficient retail
methods"
Seine time ago Mercer suggested a
series of retail meat markets support
I ed by cattle men of the state. This
plan as well as general livestock condi-
lions will be discussed Saturday at a
big meeting of Kansas stockmen In
Emporia.