Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1918 — SCARCITY OF LIVE STOCK [ARTICLE]

SCARCITY OF LIVE STOCK

For some time now it has been apparent to those who have given the matter thought, that the country is threatened witli an alarming shortage in live stock —especially meat producing animals, though horses and mules are also showing a shortage. When the war in Europe first began, it was suggested by our agricultural department that our farmers and stock raisprs devote greater attention to increasing the number of meat animals. It was pointed out that the large foreign demand would make great inroads in our supply. This was the result, but not >all the result. The stimulated demand caused all who had stock to push them onto market at the earliest possible mnoment, with the result that thousands of head of stock went to the butchers when it should have been kept on the farms. . Stock buyers inform us that for the past year the average weight of hogs especially lias steadily declined, due to the fact that the heavy feeders have been practically exhausted and the lighter animals are being pushed onto the market. At a meeting of 'food administrators of a number of states recently it was the unanimous decision, after surveying the situation carefully, that a concerted effort must be made to increase the breeding of. hogs and, cattle, and each state represented in the eon-' ference was given its per cent of increase to be attained. But it is right at this point that the difficulty is encountered. The high prices have not only caused the fannnature animals to be sacri-

ficed but thousands of valuable females have also been slaughtered which should have been kept on the farms. There is not a particle of doubt that the country is alarmingly short* of breeders. There is but one remedy. No owner of hogs or cattle should sell or kill females capable Of reproducing their kind. This should be made an iron-clad rule on the farms and ranches of this country for some time tQ...come. Certain it is that if the past, or even the present rate off consumption of females is continued for another twelve months, the country will face something, little short of a meat famine. -• We are a meat-eating race. But meat must be grown, and the animals must have darns. The only way to insure the supply- is to conserve the females. This will have to be done, ev<n. at the risk ot even higher prices than now prevail. And, as prices now range, this will be no sacrifice to the farmers, but rather a' source of greater revenue, as all will see if they will look at the matter in the right light.