The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-01-10

The livestock industry in the
Southern states is progressing at a
rapid rate. Some of the things beef
cattle extension specialists of the
United States department of agricul-
ture are doing to encourage a COM
bination of livestock production with
cotton growing are described in recent
reports from the field. AS result of
their activities thousands of pure-bred
cattle are being shipped into every
Southern state and carloads of fat
stock are being sent to livestock mar
kets from farms where cotton for
merly was. grown exclusively.
During recent month the special
lists visited 154 farms in lib counties
In the states of Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina and Tennessee. and
Travelled .32,587 miles to give specific
instructions to farmers and to con-
fer with other extension workers on
beef production. They attended ten
meetings, held twelve demonstrations,
and through their efforts a total of
129 pure-bred bulls, 324 pure-bred
cows, and 1905 grade cattle were
placed on farms in the different
states. During the month also a gem
eral conference was held at Memphis,
Tenn, which was attended by state
and federal representatives of the de-
partment of agriculture, directors of
state experiment stations and extern
sion workers, state agents, yeterinar-
ians, and others interested in promot-
ing more and better live stock in the
South.
Assist In Livestock Shows.
Among the many duties of the beef
cattle specialists is to assist with the
livestock work in connection with
livestock shows, and county and state
fairs. They assist breeders in max
ing selections Of feeding animals for
shows, in arranging judging contests
and demonstrations, and in securing
better classifications and premiums
for worthy exhibits, all of which has
been the means of arousing interest
and making livestock exhibits more
attractive feature at the fairs.
The beef-cattle specialists from Ar
kansas made an exhibit at the tri-
state fair held in Memphis in which
was shown the best methods of feed
ing and raising live stock. Improved
cattle-feeding sheds, feeding hunks
and silos were shown together with a
number of instructive placards giving
such information as suitable fattening
rations for 1,000-pound steers, and
wintering rations for the breeding
herd. Farmers were urged to Gull
their breeding herds at this time Of
the year and dispose of all inferior
animals. Arkansas farmers, particu-
larly in the rice-growing sections
where there is abundant pasture ana
plenty of straw, have been good buy
ers of cattle from the drought area
in the Southwest.
Plenty of Feed Available.
There are extensive areas in Flor
ida that are not now being used which
would Craze a large number of cattle,
the extension specialists say, though
the farmers are fast awakening to the
possibilities of the livestock industry.
It is reported that the holdings of one
company alone would carry 10000
head If completely utilized.
Reports from Georgia say that pas
lures are good and feed is plentiful,
particularly velvet beans. and that un-
doubtedly there will be large num-
Der of cattle fed in that state this
year. The specialists are continually
being called upon to locate feeder cat
lie for farmers in both Georgia and
Florida, and several large shipments
have already been made from the
Southwest and other sections. It is
estimated that 100 carloads will be
brought into Georgia alone from Tex
as this fall.
Feeding demonstrations are being
arranged on IL to 10 farms in differ
ent sections of Mississippi. and plans
have been made to conduct them
through the cooperation of county
and district agents. Special attention
will be given to demonstrations in
pasturing velvet beans, and velvet
beans and corn.
Pure-Bred Stock in Demand.
Orders have been placed for more
than fifty carloads of breeding stork
to be shipped from the Southwest to
North Carolina and the total number
purchased will undoubtedly far ex-
coed this number. There is also
much interest in the purchasing of
pure-bred bulls, and extension special
lists are planning to hold several con-
signment sales in the state in an eff
tort to meet the demand. AS means