New-York tribune., 1919-07-07
Beef Industry Crisis

Some or the particulars OF the SITUATION
are as follows:
The beef industry in the United States
faces most serious crisis. For a decade
before the outbreak of the war in Europe
farmers and ranchmen had been urged to
increase beef cattle production because the
industry was not keeping pace with the
growth of population The lowest ebb in
production was reached in the fiscal year
ended June so, 1914, when we practically
ceased to have fresh dressed beef for export,
but began to import it from the Southern
Hemisphere. The campaign for increased
production began to bear fruit with the out
break of the war and beef again gained VOL
ume in our exports. Prices rose and 1arm-
ers were encouraged to expand their beef
making operations. With the entrance OF the
United States into the war a vigorous and
successful effort was made to increase the
supply of meat for our army, especially beet,
by civilian self-dena Hotels and restau-
rants, at the request Of the government, re-
duced the size Of their beef portions and
regularly left beef off their menus. Private
families by thousands did likewise. Farmers
and ranchmen eXerted themselves to the ut
most at great risk in order that our soldiers
and sailors could have the best food that
skill and loving care could produce The re-
suit is history From an export of beef and
beef products of 151 100000 pounds in 1914
we exported 500, 100000 pounds of beef and
beef products in 191S-almost equalling the
great surplus of 1901, when our population
was 35O0O,00O people less than now. The
exports Of 1918 were treble the three-year
pre-war average.
The war is over In little while the
presence of American soldiers in Europe
will be a memory of noble sacrifices. We
must not forget that the principal use for
the beef which we shipped overseas in such
quantity was for the men in uniform Eu-
rope. short of food though it is, does not need
beef from the United States much as it
needs our pork The stocks of cattle in the
most of Europe have not suffered seriously
in numbers during the war. Indeed, outside
the areas actually overrun by the contendlng
armies, cattle stocks have fairly held their
own and in some even increased Stocks
of hogs and sheep have suffered much more
severely than have cattle 1t IS also well
known that Europe turned to South America
and Australia for beef and lamb as soon as
shipping conditions permitted. England and
Italy are now buying in those markets. The
United States, however, is the only large
pork surplus nation, and Europe, suffering
for fats with her stocks of swine greatly
reduced can consume our pork surplus read
ily. The beef and lamb awaiting market
on our farms and ranges must, therefore,
find its outlet not overseas, but at home.
In 1918, for the first time in many years,
the production Of meat animals gained
ground in the losing race with growth of
population This was made possible by the
earnest and patriotic efforts Of our live
stock producers, and unless beef and lamb
consumption is now increased to its potential
maximum, without needless waste, we are
in danger of throwing away the advance we
have made under war pressure.
Reason Alleged
The alleged reason for this situation a,
the stoppage of export for army abroad
and the failure of civilian beef consumption
to resume its normal status. The hotel and
high class family trade are not consuming
the quantities of choice beef which they used