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Show THE LIVESTOCK SITUATION Market observers are ot the opin-creased opin-creased cattle production. For several sev-eral years, since the peak-producing years of 1918-1919, there was a decrease de-crease in numbers of beef cattle in the United States. One authority now points out that the cycle of production pro-duction has definitely turned upward, up-ward, pointing to the latest government govern-ment census figures as an authority. These figures show the present cattle oppulation at 58 milion head, as compared with the record number of 70 million in 1918-1919. However, these totals referred to comprise beef and dairy cattle numbers combined and it is doubtful to students of the market in this part of the country as to whether the trend actually -has turned towards increased production of beef cattle, it being pointed out that the larger number of dairy cattle cat-tle actually make up the increase shown in the Government's 1930 figures fig-ures as compared with 1929. On the other hand, even though the numbers of cows of breeding age on farms and ranges remained stationary, sta-tionary, the fact remains that the cowman is constantly turning off his stock at younger ages. The southwestern south-western cowman sells his calves and yearlings and there are' mighty few aged steers now left for sale in any part of the country. Besides, the average cattle feeder through the use of concentrate feeds and minerals, is able to put on gains in quicker time than possible under the old system to turn all of his cattle on ranges in the west now makes an attempt to turn all of his cattle each year, instead of holding over the critters that fail to fatten on grass. He is able to do this through the use of concentrates such as cottonseed cake and grains. It, is certain that cattle are being marketed at younger ages without sacrificing weight. As the cattle feeder feed-er becomes more efficient in utilizing available feeds, we find that the yearling and 2-year-old steers now weigh at marketing time almost as much as the threes and fours did a few years ago. So when we compare the number of breeding cattle now with a few years ago, there is not the decreased output of beef that would seem apparent. ap-parent. But the -cattle business has been profitable for all good cattlemen during recent years, particularly where feed and water have been normal. nor-mal. The profits derived from one industry always attract others and cheap money is also an important factor. Evidence of this fact is found in the trend towards lamb production. produc-tion. So, we may expect to see a gradual increase in beef production for a period per-iod of years. It is difficult to believe that there will be an over-supply of beef for some years to come, yet the cowman apparently must resign himself him-self to a lower scale of values than has prevailed during the past two years. i ; ! i j '3 There should be no decided down ward trend in beef values because it takes time to rebuild breeding herds. But there will be a need for even more efficient operation of cattle herds. As we come into a period of lower prices, the individual range producer must produce a higher percentage per-centage calf crop, through the use of proven bulls of good type and good bone. The difference between a 50 per cent calf crop and a 75 or 80 per cent calf crop represents a very decided reduction in general overhead over-head expense. |