The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1948-02-20
BY ROBERT E. l G

Washington - Cattle experts
say Americas beef production
factory" is operating at its
greatest efficiency.
These experts of the Depart
ment of Agriculture say the
number of beef COWS and heifer
calves-the producers of beef
is at a peak ratio compared
with the total of all cattle on
farms and ranches.
But beef production isn't meet
ing the demand because the cat
tie industry is in a declining
cycle of production. This cycle
of high and low production has
existed for more than 40 years.
The present declining cycle will
last several years longer If it
follows the pattern of those of
the past.
R. H. Roberts of the Livestock
Branch of the department, says
two things primarily govern
the marketing of beef.
/. The amount of available
feed. If feed is plentiful a
farmer may keep more of his
cattle at home. If feed is scarce
he is forced to market o
of them.
2. The demand for beef. In
creasing demands generally
causes prices to rise If the farm
er has beef available he will
market more than if the price
were lower.
Here's how the cycle of mar
keting has operated:
Starting from a low point in
1912, the number of cattle on
farms and ranches reached a
peak of .74,000,0 900 animals in
1914 six-year upswing.
Then there was a 10-year
downswing. In 1928 there were
57,322,0 900 animals. But it took
only six years to reach another
high, in 1884, of 74,369,000 an
imals. Then in four years, the
cycle swung down to another
low of 65, 249, 900.
The next upswing lasted sew
en- years. On Jan. /, 1945, the
nations herds were at the
greatest peak in history, st.
$4,000 head.
A downward trend set in, and
by Jan. l, 1947, there were 81,-
050,0 1000 head. Statisticians pre-
diet the total will be between
10000, 900 and $1,000, 900 head
when the 1913 count is COM
pleted.
Roberts says the two peaks
that came during the last year
of each of the two world wars
were created because war
builds a big demand for beef.
Cattlemen raise more cattle to
meet this demand. Meanwhile
prices rise and cause more cat
tie to be marketed. Thus herds
are reduced.
After World War I cattle
prices went from an average
of $21 a hundredweight to 81
in IL months during 1920-21.
Roberts says the cattle indus
try then was on a steer pro-
duction basis"
Between one half and three
fourths of the herds were steers,
male animals good for beef
production only. Steers general
~ have to be sold when from
two to three years old. Many
go to cattle feeders. who fat
ten them with grain and sell
them to the livestock markets.
After the first world war the
cattlemen had to market their
steers regardless of low prices.
Now, says Roberts, the cattle
industry is on a Cow and calf
basis.
On Jan. /, 1915. there were
l6, 456, 900 beef cows in Am
erican herds, greatest number
in history.
While the total number of cat
tie declined 4,532.000 from
l945 to l947, the number of
beef cows remained almost
unchanged.
Farmers and ranchers aren't
compelled to market these cows
and their calves as promptly as
they do steers. They may be
held several wears and used on
farms and ranches to increase
the size Of herds
Thus the cattle industry now
IS more flexible SAYS Rob
erts The periods between the