Daily Kennebec journal., 1923-01-20
Possible Now To
Raise More Beef

Washington, Jan. 1S- Although
there are actually fewer beef cattle
in the United States at present than
there have been in previous years, it
is now possible to raise more beef
each year than when there were. more
cattle. This somewhat contradictory
statement is explained by the United
States Department of Agriculture
which shows that a larger propor-
ton of beef cows are kept on ranches
and farms. and beef cattle are
slaughtered at an earlier age than
used to be the practice.
In a discussion of the American
cattle industry during the last IS
years, the. Yearbook of the Depart
ment for 1921, which has just been
published, described the growth and
changes of practice in the business.
The system of using younger cattle
! for beef purposes, the Yearbook eX-
plains, involves the use of more har-
vested feed per 100 pounds of beef
produced. since a larger proportion of
the gains in weight are made in the
| feed lot than was formerly the case
| when steers were carried four or five
seasons on grass.
While the total number of cattle in
the country has decreased in recent
years. the article states, the situa-
! ton is not as serious as might appear
since the number of cattle is greater
now than in any year from 1896 to
1917. Census sfigures for 1900 and
1920 show there has been an increase
in the percentages of beef calves,
heifers, cows and bulls, and a de-
crease in the percentage of steers.
especially aged steers. The number
of cattle in the country increased
100000 from 1914 to 1919, but
during the last three years there
has been decrease of 1000
600 head. However, the greater
proportion of cows at present makes
1t possible to grow more beef, eSpec-
tally if more of the calves, instead of
being slaughtered, are fed out, as
yoarlngs
THAT the country can readily re-
SpOnd to, quickened demand for
beef, was demonstrated during the
war when production was so stim-
ulated that during 1917 and 1918
combined more than one billion
pounds of beef were exported. which
was per cent. of our production
and % per cent. of the exports of the
world during the period" The Year
book declares. "Since about 1905
AIIlcTlCd anu AuStIdlld IdNS
been the chief sources of surplus
beef"
Americans are eating less beef per
capita than formerly, it is stated.
The consumption of beef and veal in
the United States decreased from 81
pounds per person in 1907 to 60
pounds in 1915. Between the periods
of 1907 to 1910 and 1911 to 1921
there has been a decrease in con-
sumption amounting to approximate
~ 20 per cent.
The article includes interesting in
formation to those engaged in the in
duS.ry, on the variations in demand
for different kinds of beef in various
cities and in changing seasons. High
class hotels. it is noted. want prime,
fat and finished beef, while the aver
age housewife wants beef involving
less waste. In warm weather the
principal demand is for steaks and
chops while the winter trade demands
more roasts and boiling meat. The
orthodox Jewish trade uses only the
fCreuuarters. while Gentiles. as rule. !
prefer hindqu2rters of beef. 81
A survey made in 1920 showed that
at that time nearly 80 per cent: Of the
beef produced was consumed in the
North Atlantic states. The next
largest amount. or "A per cent. was
consumed in the east north central
division. In other words, more than
So per cent. of the total consump-
ton of beef and veal occurred in the
territory east of the Mississippi and
north of the Ohio River and Mary
land The smallest consumption oc-
CURED in the South Atlantic division.
The survey of the beef cattle situ-
alton, leads to the conclusion. accord |
ing to the department experts. that |
the period of liquidation is over, and !
that when industrial conditions and |.
retail prices permit normal con- !
sumption of beef, cattle producers !
should be prosperous again.