Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-06-04
IS PRICE OF BEEF
HIGH? RAISER, NO"
THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
, OF UNUSED PASTURE LANDS.
"Is the price of beef high?'

This question Is heard on all sides
today. The producer says, NO, con-
sidering the price get for my cattle" "
The consumer says, Yes" So there
you have it. But whatever the right
answer, the fact remains that prices
may 60 higher If there is not enough
beef to supply the demand for juicy
steaks and rib roasts with brown
gravy.
On the other hand. prices may de-
cline if an over-supply is produced.
What is the present situation? We
have today less beef in sight than
for several years, according to re-
ports to the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture, which is kept
closely advised as to conditions on
the ranges and in the markets. The
present price of feed stuffs. scarcity
OF farm labor, reduced numbers of
breeding animals. and a small mar
gin Of profits to the producer the past
year are all factors which tend to
limit production. and impress the i'm
portance of maintaining production
and producing beef as cheaply as
possible.
For an answer to this question. we
must look to mother earth. This is
springtime, the crops are planted, the
grass is growing, and the cattle are
on the green. This means. in its last
analysis. utilize pasture to the limit,
conserve roughages to the utmost.
and produce forages and feeding
stuffs which will make the most beef
at least cost.
The bureau Of animal industry of
the Department of Agriculture has
for several years been studying the
problem Of utilizing these feeds to
best advantage. In 1914 the depart
ment, in cooperation with the West
Virginia agricultural station, began
series of beef cattle experiments in
0renbrier county, West Virginia. to
solve beef production problems in
the Appalachian mountain region.
This station is located in the south
western part of the state. in the blue
grass area, and among the problems
undertaken are: First. most econom-
ical and satisfactory rations for win
tering beef; second, the influence Of
these rations upon the gains of
steers the following summer from
grass.
The results of the experiments ap-
ply not to West Virginia alone. but to
all states having similar conditions,
which. in fact includes the whole APP
palachian region, extending from
southern Tennessee to New York. 1t
Is within this general area that abun-
dant pastures. cutover and waste
land is found. producing abundant
pasture of good quality for beef pro-
duction. The summers are not too
hot. nor the winters too cold. The
water supply is plentiful. being pro-
vded by springs and small streams
tnat &ush ont Of the limestone hill
sides and down the valleys unpol-
luted by communicating influences.
The South, with its delightful cli-
mate and long grazing period of ap-
proximately 10 months of the year.
Vhere carpet grass. Bermuda and
other kinds almost equally as nutri-
uous abound over tho plains. the cut
over regions and waste lands of this
area. The Great Lakes region, prop
eriy termed "clover land" where
millions Of acres today are not COM
pietely utilized by live stock-all pro-
'ide abundant pasture that is well
adapted for beef production.
me West, with its vast plains. wide
pralries and the resources Of forests
ana streams, may be used by the
oeef producer to even better advan-
~ee' although over stocking is a fac
VT not to be overlooked.
VIII this vast area of unused pas
.are be used for immediate produc-
no; It's q more dtfhcult prop
tnan that. To use some OF 1t In
.o''es an expense not justified by
present prices of cattle.
Aae danger of overstocking. with
attendant loss in profit, is fire.
en''y emphasized, but the de-
eased returns due to understanding
=. aou'd be considered AZ we'll. When
-. humber OF cattle on q given area
!" Keep the grass short, that
-