San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-02


followed in 1920 by the sale of most
of the available calves, due to coa-
tinued high prices, and then later De-
cause deflation and loan collections
forced sacrifices, thereby depicting
breeding stock to point where the
cattle industry is threatened with
virtual extinction, is traced by John
X. Rosson in letter from him whlcn
CSSrles w. Hobbs of San Angelo, read
before the Sixth District, Texas
Bankers Association, in convention
here a few days. ago.
Mr.. Rosson is president and gen,,
eral manager of the Campbell ana
Rosson Livestock Commission Com
pany of Fort Worth. and for 80 years
has given the livestock business his en-.
tire attention. Because he is so well
posted on the subject, Mr.. Rossor
was invited to address the bankers
here on the subject of the future OF
the livestock industry, but was pre-
vented by previous engagement from
accepting.
Speaking on Enhancing the Stock.
man and the Livestock Industry
Mr.. Hobbs. vice president of the San
Angelo National Bank. closed his adj
dress by reading Mr.. Rosson's letter,
WHICH 1OllONs.
War Prosperity Was Fatal.
"For more than so years i have
given the livestock business careful
study and consideration and have
come In daily contact with the pro-
Queer and the business, having been
actively engaged in handling cattle
during this entire period. :,
beginning with the war period
we had great demand for Gamer
stock. This brought a very large
per cent of the available cows in eau
ner and cutter condition to market,
as well as rough, inferior common
quality steers. which sold from q cents
to s cents per pound. But few of us
thought at that time we were under
mining the foundations Of the cattle
business.
after the war. and during the fall
of 1920. range conditions were extra
good, calves got very fat and brought
better prices than they had in many
years. Most of our Western calves
during October and November, nettel
around $50 per head-more money
than the producer noped 10 ger for
them the following spring as yearlings
So they came to market, were cashed
and put in the bank.
an 1921 financial conditions were
very bad, stockmen in Montana. Da.
kota and the northwestern section OF
the country could not get financial
assistance and did not come TO Texas
to buy steers that spring. The ranch
men of our country were unable to
secure additional loans on their cat
tie, but in many instances were al
lowed to market their calves and take
part of the net proceeds to pay over
head expenses. This brought very
large per cent of the calf crop to
market, and as the same condition pre-
vailed in 1922, calves were again eX-
cessiyely marketed and during 1875
there fas a greater per cent of calves
marketed than either of the previous
years. During these four years of
heavy marketing of calves we were
diminishing our steers, which should
be on the ranges at the present time,
and a great many of our ranchmen
failed to put their best heifer calves
into their breeding herds, which is be-
ginning to make our breeding cattle
have an old appearance.
Shortage of Hearings and Twos.
"This year we have fewer steers
for sale for grazing in Kansas ana
Oklahoma and yearlings and twos -
go to the Northwest, than we have
ever had before, and, in my opinion,
before the end of 60 days this short
age will be apparent, and to great
or extent than most of us have ever
dreamed of. When this condition IS
fully developed and becomes reality
our federal government may use some
drastic means in providing n way TO
finance the legitimate producers who
are entitled to such consideration.
az have had this matter up
personally with Henry &. Wal
lace. secretary OF agriculture. who
concurs i'm the thoughts and sug-
yestipns / have prompted along
these lines for some time. My
further opinion is that when the
cornbelt feeders go TO market
this fall TO get aged steers for
their fed lots they will not be in
the market. nor i'm the country,
and they will have to turn their
attention TO feeding calves almost
exclusively. This. OF course,
will reflect very favorably upon
the COW. which is the foundation
of the cattle business; and. in my
opinion, q cow that produces an
nually a S25 calf as an invest
As soon as this steer shortage is
assured. and known to be a fact,
then the banks and trust COM
panies that handle cattle paper
will provide a means OK looking
after the producing COW.
II am reliably Informed that in
South Texas there are not more than
one-third the steers there usually have
been at this season. Conditions are
very favorable for steers to get fat AMI
come to market through April and
May. This will leave a wide gan N
the fat cattle market between june
and September, and prices should be
unusually good.
Suggests Livestock Inventory.
81 would like very much to see the
wes' IN bankers in the producing
sections of Texas get out a systematic
inquiry as to conditions surrounding
their steer business and see where
thew stand. You will find that my
assumptions are practically correct as
10 numbers and general conditions sur
rounding the business.
II regret exceedingly that / can
rot be with you TO speak these words
from the rostrum to those attending
your meeting. that you or any of tn"
attending bankers might ask me any
questions that might come into their
minds from the suggestions / have
made. as / feel competent to answer
any of them from Investigations ard
study l have made OF the business.
for the purpOse of rendering every as.