The Washington herald., 1921-08-18

June. 6fO,lOf 0.ol Ooe'ooo e'Vo
The larger number Of animals re-
ceived In June aud the larger av-
erage dressed weight. 81 pounds.
raised the total beef production
40, 00o, 900 pounds over May. At the
same time expots Of fresh beef and
veal continued very low, dropping
II, 900 pounds for May. The, total
exports Of fresh beef and veal con-
tinued very low, dropping $4,000
pounds for May. The total exports
months just ended was only $780,
900 pounds, compared TO 77.oo3,0o0
pounds In the first six months OF
1890. Storage stocks, also declined
about is per cent during the month.
June is the first month this year
that the total beef production has
come anywhere near to the monthly
level Of last year, and only the great
decrease In exports makes up the
supply for home consumption.
The shipments of stockers and
feeders gives some idea of the
pumber of cattle being fed for later
marketing. The total for 1920 was
reported as about 20 per cent less
than 1919. During this year ship
ments at no time have equaled
those of the same period last year
and the total Is about IS per cent
less. All this points to q shortage
of home grown beef within two
years.
Imports are not gaining greatly.
having increased from about 100000
pounds in February to 1.S5o.0oo
pounds in June. The total of inn
ports are not important, however.
as a supply, as for instance, 1,S0o,-
900 pounds in June against a pro-
duction OF 3s1 5000
The pork supply is in better
shape. The number OF hogs on
farms in June was less than per
cent below last year. The esti-
mated number slaughtered was
greater than a year ago and almost
equal to. 1919 for the six months
period. The exports OF fresh and
cured pork were mich reduced in
June. but lard exports were quite
heavy. The storage supplies OF
both cured pork and lard increased
during the month although the
number Of hogs killed was not in
creased.
Prices OF hogs cannot be credited
with maintaining the supply OF
pork. however, since the average
price Of medium live lTogs at Chit
cago in June was abou: halr that
OF year ago. or 1886 compared
to s15.1s per 100 pounds. At the
Same time hams were $3.50 COM
pared to 1915 per 100 pounds, and
bacon s27.s5 compared tc sIei3 n
year ago. Only the large supply
OF cheap corn has maintaiIei the
pork supply
The mutton market offers an ex-
ceptton TO the above in that the
number of sheep slaughtered dur
ing the last six months continues
large, a total OF 100000 this year
compared to 400, 900 last year.
I Exports Of fresh lamb and mutton
were very heavy for the first six
months, but have declined since
February. Stored stocks are being
reduced rapidly. however, from the
high level of February. Prices
have been better during June than
in early spring Notwithstanding the
! heavy marketings.
| Stocker and feeder shipments OF
sheep and lambs have been run.
ming far behind last year. For
the first six months only $50. 600
were returned compared with 1,s1e.-
OO9 last year. This is further rroof
that the liquidation of sheen ha,
not run its course. The number OF
sheep on farms on January 1 last
was 45.os7,ooo, the smallest number
since 1900.
The number of meat animals on
farms has come to the pre-war
level this year. The shortage. IL
any. will be in finished stun next
winter due 10 the smaller num-
bers of feeding animals going back
from the markets. A cheap and
abundant corn crop may take UP
all the slack however and the
meat supply will be we'll maintained
The per capita meat consump-
tion was lower in January than a
year ago. s.71 pounds as against
1911 pounds in 1920. By May there
had been a further decline to s.5e
pounds. With a return of normal
demand the decrease OF exports
may be offset by Increased con.
sumption. Higher prices for live
animals will be required to stimu-
late production to return to nor
mas levels next year.