Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-05

fewer and better animals. That will
increase his profits by reducing his
costs. In the inspiration which II
gives to this program, this exposition
is serving the high practical purpose
for which 1t was intended.
Set World Records.
Sheep and wool growers are in
more favorable position than pro-
ducers of either cattle or hogs. Sheep,
lambs and wool all made a quick
recovery from the price collapse of
1921, due in large part to the emer
gency tariff. The world is short of
sheep and of wool, and their prices
are decidedly better than those of
other farm animals But these con-
ditions seem to justify the warning
that the sheep and wool industry Is
strikingly subject TO alterations of
high production with low prices, and
low production with high prices
Producers may we'll guard against
assuming that a present prosperity
will continue If they too greatly ex
pand their production.
I'm a broad view. ] think we will
find general agreement that if our
live stock industry were as efficient
IN marketing as it is in producing,
its results would be far better. This
exposition has been an annual exhibit
of the best methods and results in
production. Costs OF raising stock
have been lessened and the fattening
period shortened. A quarter century
ago fat yearling steers were unknown
on the market. A litter Of pigs MAX
ing from one to two tons OF pork
in six months was unheard of even
Il few years ago. American farmers
have won nearly all the world high
production records. But on the side
Of efficient marketing there has not
been corresponding progress. II
this exposition, or some other insti-
tuition adapted to the purpose, would
devote the next quarter century to
the betterment of marketing methods
and would do it as effectively as the
work of improving production has been
done, most of your problems would be
far on the way to solution.
Public Needs Educating.
If we will consider the certainty
Of continuing increase in the coun-
try's population, we must realize that
the industries which furnish the Ma
tion's food are certain OF con-
tinually expanding market. In the
long run, their position should be
sound and secure But to assure this,
and especially TO bring relief as early
as possible from conditions OF the
present, there must be close atten-
ton and well directed study of
mark citing. Producers must learn to
help themselves. They must learn
what the market wants and when
it wants it. They must learn TO in
terpret demand.
Consumers also must be better in
ha a
an inexpensive cut from a choice ami
NAL is better than a high priced cut
from an inferior animal. When such
knowledge is generally disseminated
and acted upon there will be suffi
Client premium on the best meat to
Justify the farmer in producing It.
The International Is this year putting
on demonstrations with the particu-
lar purpose Of diffusing this kind Of
Information among consumers. I am
convinced that there is today a wider
field for useful service to the live
stock farmer in educating the house
wives of the country in buying and
utilizing their meats than in encour-
aging the farmer to further eXpan-
sion of production. But the ideal ad-
justment would contemplate well d.
rected campaigns for wiser proGuc-
ton, for more efficient mark citing and
meat products.
Cites Cooperative Marketing.
LAS regards cooperative marketing
of live stock. an astonishing measure
of progress has been accomplished in
recent years. The Department of Ag-
riculture states that 1,547 live stock
shipping associations are reporting to
il. Their membership numbers almost
nm ha
tions serve in marketing their stock.
1t is estimated that they handle S162,-
10000 of business annually. There
are p cooperative sales agencies at
various terminal live stock mark cts,
owned and controlled comparatively
by farmers. They handle stock on a
commission basis and periodically
distribute TO the shippers the &C
emulation of their commissions in
excess Of expenses. Last year these
selling agencies handled over 10, 000,-
600 head of stock and returned over
100000 of excess commissions.
The significance of such a large
cooperative marketing movement is
the more apparent when il is observed
that the first Of the cooperative ter
ninal- market selling agencies for
live stock was established only so re-
Gently as 1917. Most of them have
bHen created since lSGU. i ne farmers
marketing associations have largely
developed within the same period. At
present between so and so per cent
of live stock handled by'fsrmers' ship
ping associations in the corn belt
states is forwarded to the Co-opera-
tive selling agencies at the terminal
markets The tendency is toward
larger local organizations which pro-
vide sufficient volume of business to
justify the employment of skilled
managers and to permit the econo-
mics Of operation on large scale.
Standards Arc Essential.
An essential preliminary to eff
ficient cooperation in marketing is
the establishment of standards and
the education of live stock producers
to understand and appreciate the
value of these. The consumer is al
ways willing to pay more for what