Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press., 1927-01-27
BY ]. A. MAXWELL
Newton County Farmer


Importance today than at any period
in Georgia's history.
The next few years will establish
her as a leading livestock producing
state, or see her succumb to more
progressive competitors. Since 1924,
the low water mark for cattle interest
and development in this state, com
paratively little has been done to
make for progress along these lines.
At the close of the live stock show
held in Chicago during the first week
in December 1924, the grand cham
pion fat steer, purebred Hereford
yearling, weighing $50 pounds, sold
at auction in Detroit for $1,330-
$1.4O per pound. At the same time
thousands of Georgia cattle on ranges
along the coast and northern parts
of the state went begging on Geor-
gia markets at from one and one half
to four cents a pound, depending on
grade, quality and condition. The
industry in Georgia has been until
now on the wane.
The reason is two-fold.
Under the one-crop system of
farming there has been insufficient
feed raised on Georgia farms and a
consequent comparative high market
value for all feed stuffs, offering little
inducement for the extensive raising
of cattle.
Limited market demands and low
prices for that which is produced has
given additional Encouragement to
the farmer.
The demand of the public for wes-
tern meats compels the Georgia far
mer to sell his produce at sacrifice
or to ship to western markets, suffer-
ing the loss incurred by freight and
the necessity of packing. Unfortu-
nately, right or wrong, the public
mind does not associate quality meats
with homegrown cattle. And the
public must be satisfied
The second cause of unfavorable
market conditions that exist today is
the low grade of stock produced on
Georgia farms. The over production
is among the scrubs, which, regard
less of their value or lack of value,
must find a market, which is general
ly below the cost of production, thus
depressing the market value of the
best grade of cattle.
The situation is serious, but can be
met by united effort, education and
intelligent direction along the various
lines.
There is no phase Of human en-
deavor that is not in the final analy-
sis salesmanship. Georgia must learn
to sell her wares. Georgians must
learn to stand behind Georgia, to un-
derstand that what is produced in
the Empire State of the South is or
cna be the best that can be produced
anywhere in the world; they must be
taught to demand the Georgia
brand" nd this applies to cattle as
well as to any other product in the
state.
And Georgia must be taught and
encouraged to raise not scrub, low
grade cattle but that which will hold
it's place with the best grades of quail
ity meats that are pouring into Geor-
gia from western states. In 1924
Georgia purchased from northern and
western packing houses 5,850,0OO
pounds of dry salt side meat alone.
Georgia's constantly expanding in
dustrial development is offering in
creasing market demands for live
stock products This state should
meet them She should be taught
that a man may be too poor to own
poor COW, many are; whereas a good
cow, properly cared for, pays her
own way. Georgia cattle should be
pasture raised and bred carefully with
an eye to selecting and culling. Then
she would see produced on her own
lands toothsome, marbled, tender
loins and steaks that vie with those
of any state.
This can be done with best results
through the organization of Stock
Growers association, cooperating in