St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1919-08-23
UNITED KINGDOM NOT LIKELY
TO IMPORT AMERICAN ANIMALS
Herds and FIocks Have Been Main
tanned Better Than Was Expected
But Average Weights Decreased
During Wal

meat, anu 0d1Ty anu Lie tACAU
of agricultural progress in the United
Kingdom since early spring, a conden-
sed report of its two foreign represen.
tatives in that country is made public
by the United States Department OF
Agriculture. The men are George A.
Bell, Of the Bureau OF Animal Industry
and Turner Wright, of the Bureau Of
Markets, who are still in Europe study
ing conditions in other countries.
Herds and flocks have been main
tanned much better than was expected
considering conditions which prevailed
during the war, but the average weight
of the animals has decreased in COM
parison with weights Of prewar times.
This decrease in weight is attributed
by British officials with whom the
men conferred to shortage of feed and
partly to a large percentage Of young
ANNALS.
There appears to be no serious short
age of horses for work purposes. More
might be used to advantage, but as
about 10000 army horses used by the
British military forces are to be re-
turned to the United Kingdom, impor-
tations of horses in any considerable
number from other countries are not
expected. In fact, many Of the British
Army horses are beng sold n areas
where the troops were stationed.
The fie1d-artillery horses purchased
in the United States for the British
Army were SO satisfactory that con-
siderable enthusiasm for Percheron
horses has developed. However, q
general feeling is manifest that tract
ors and motor trucks will be used
more extensively than in the past, thus
reducing the demand for horses.
Cattle in England were observed to
be thin in flesh, but that condition Is
expected to correct itself with the i'm
proving feed situation.
Breeding stock and good mich cows
were selling at high prices, but accord
ing to the report there is no prospect
of dairy cattle from other countries be-
ing permitted to enter the United
Kingdom. On the other hand, breed
ers are expecting a large export trade
in breeding stock. Some animals al
ready have been assembled for ship
ment to Belgium, France, and Serbia.
The number of swine in the United
Kingdom decreased materially during
the war, but there is enough breeding
stock available to increase that class
Of stock rapidly If the amount of feed
permits. The extent of pork produc-
ton is limited principally by available
feed.
The. number Of sheep has been de-
clining for several years, due partly
to blowing up of grass lands and part.
", it is said, to reduced mutton con
sumption. No material increase is ex'
pected in the number of sheep.
Before the war the estimated total
meat consumption in Great Britain
was 10000 tons a month. The PEG
pie have been accustomed to a restrict
ed meat diet, and even with the re
moyal of all regulations about $50,
600 tons a month are expected to sup
ply all demands until October. Ar
opinion was expressed that English
farmers show a tendency to turn t.
dairying instead of feeding cattle.
When adequate shipping is available
imports of beef by the United King
dom will be made, it is stated, large
" from Australasia, Argentina, ant
Brazil, where it a be produced at
/ lower price than in the United States
Pork and pork products very likel.
will continue to be in considerable de
mand in the United Kingdom, but il
smaller quantities than during tn
war.
F% OuCCI fdt1OAS Wy LA1C NOPAA lL10L ~
and the opinions of persons interview
ed lead to the belief that the suppl,
of dairy products, especially milk, i
unequal to the demand. It was tn
general opinion that much condense
milk would be imported next white
Although the United Kingdom norma
" imports dairy products, the increas
in those of condensed milk last year i
noteworthy, being about 100000 OF
pounds greater than for either 1916 Q
1917. The increase was about so pc
cent, most Of which came from tn
United States.
The report also contains statistic
which show briefly that the number {
horses and cattle increased slight
during the period 1%914-1918, wherea
sheep and hogs decreased very col
s%iderabIy. The net estimated loss j
these four classes of livestock for tn
period was 1,851,430 head, from a tot
of about 46,000,000 of stock in thos
classes.
The purpose of the Department {
Agriculture in sending the men abroa
to study and report on livestock col
ditfons is chiefly to keep in touch wit
foreign agriculture as seen from a
American point of view. The observi
lions in Europe are being continue,
and two other representatives of tt
department recently left for sfmils
work in South America.