Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-30
Increase estinated) ...... 5
Cattle Supply Dwindles.
$1,000

Sattle supply O"inGieS.
The year of 1919 was characterized
by a million decline IN the cattle
slaughter in the six markets at Chi
cago, Kansas City, Omaha ST. Jo-
seph. St. Louis. and Sioux City, a big
decrease in calf slaughter. and ex-
IRENE fluctuations in cattle receipts
and prices, the report states. The fall
campaign against the h. c. OF !. caused
a drop in cattle values, but not IN re-
tail beef prices. according to the re-
port, and there Is an impending short
dwindling supply Of cheap beef in
face OF an increased demand.
Mr.. HORNE says IN his report:
The continued low prices for pure
bred cattle until the middle Of 1918,
after the foot and mouth disease was
eradicated from this country. followed
by rapid rise. prove a revival Of de-
sire for general increase Of cattle.
High Prices for Seven Years.
Not until the beginning Of 1927
or later will It be possible for this
country to have a normal supply Of
beef steers ready for slaughter, pro-
obstacles such as droughts. failures,
financial panics. war. or disease cpl
denies to extend the time still fur
Their.
In the meantime also the popula-
ton Is growing at a normal rate OF
over per cent per annum. and while
we have an absolute decrease in the
number Of beef cattle in the country
since 1907, there IS still further
shrinkage Of 100 to 200 pounds per
head in the average weight Of those
sent to market, making an enormous
deficit in the quantity Of beef actual
ly available for food, which not only
explains the advance in beef prices.
but shows that a relative scarcity Of
beef must continue for at least seven
years yet to come.
Doubts Federal Reports.
u can not accept the cattle est-
mates Of the department Of agricul-
ture, according 70 which there are
eleven million head, or 20 per cent
more cattle in the United States on
Jan. !, 1919, than at the correspond
Ing time in 1914. The excessive mar
keting during the war period is no
indication Of over production, but
rather Of depletion. A cattle increase
during the last four years at the sew
en- principal markets Of 1000 900 head
or more than SO per cent, means rap
Id destruction. Even according to the
government figures, while there has
been an increase since 1910 of ap-
proximately 100000, or over 20 per
cent, in population, there has been an
estimated increase Of only ABOUT g.
000,0 head. or less than 10 per cent,
ncattle, together with marked de-
crease in their average weight, all of
which means tremendous decrease
in the beef supply relative to the pop
ulation"
Figures for Yards.
The report shows that since the
union stock yards opened for bust
ness 60o,o0o,oo0 animals have been
received and sold for the sum Of 3d.
400. 600, 900. The average number OF
animals handled daily Is from 10000
to 10000.
The wholesale slaughter Of breeding
stock TO supply the demand for cheap
beef is given as the chief reason for
the impending shortage of beef. Other
elements which have affected the mar
ket in the last year were the war.
scarcity and high cost of feed and
farm labor, and the general distrust
concerning future cattle values.