Gilpin observer., 1919-05-01
DAIRY PROFITS BIC
Splendid Returns From Farms In
Western Canada.
Production Of Butter and Cheese, Com
mandlng Highest Prices, lncreasss
Steadily II Livestock Raisers
at Height Of Prosperity.

Dairying is rapidly approaching one
Of the first positions in Western Can
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 milch
cows per farm Is SO. The total pro-
duction Of creamery butter In the
provinces in 1918 was 100000, as
against S,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-
ton of butter has increased from
2,bOO,OOO pounds and of cheese from
$3.50 pounds to $50, 900 pounds. When
1t 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, 1t will be real
lied that the increase in dairy produc-
tion has been remarkable. During the
past four years the price to the pro-
ducer increased 70 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 $231.06; at Calgary 7S4 head
were sold, bringing an average price of
$26a.1S; while at Lacombe 179 bulls
brought an average of $191.34. Sales
in Manitoba few days ago gave fully
as good an 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 1t.
As evidence of this we find that at a
| sale recently held at Carman, Mani
t0ba. 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 establishment Of creameries
and cheese factories throughout the
entire West is on the increase, and 1t
will only be within the period of a
very few years before Western Can
ada will occupy position in the first
ranks in the dairy production of the
continent
There Is complete government su-
pervision 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.
| 1t may well be said that the dairy
industry in Western Canada is rapidly
coming into its own. At present 1t is
most industry of the country-the
growing Of grain, but while an adjunct,
1t is 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.
The reports from government sources
are that the present year will show a
great increase in immigration over the
past four or five years. The man who
has made a tour Of inspection Of the
country will give you the reason. He
will speak Of the fertile soil. Of the
good crops. Of the attractive climate,
of compliance with the law. the splen-
did school system, the almost perfect
social conditions that prevail. He will
have visited settlements composed al
most solely of Americans. who have
built up their homes and villages. who
have brought, and are applying. to-
day, their experience In economic land
culture as applied to large tracts with
the result that he obtains yields on
$50 an acre land equal to that former
ly produced on land that he had sold
for 5000 an acre. The story of his
success he has sent back to his friends
In his home state. They In turn follow
him, and SO 1t goes on, and immigra-
ton to Western Canada increases
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