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Show sj Lo. Angeles, November 27, 11)33 While some reduction in numbers of hojrs and lambs is expected during the next year, there probably will Iv an increase in numbers of cattle slaughtered, making the total volume of meat to be marketed in 1934 pro-ably pro-ably greater than during the past year. This opinion is expressed by the United States department of agriculture. The increase in cattle supplies is line almost entirely to the gain in p.unbers of dairy cattle, and not because be-cause of increased numbers of strictly strict-ly beef cattle in the western range country. As a matter of fact, numbers of beef cattle in California amf Nevada are far below normal, in the opinion of observers in these state.-. Drouth conditions are largely responsible, re-sponsible, although some of the decreases de-creases has been brought about by difficulty in financing. The immediate future improvement of the livestock business depends more upon increased buying power than upon any program calculated toi leduce numbers of animals. Those who have faith in the recovery of this nation's industry and business should have equal faith in the live-.-tock business, because supplies cfi livestock certainly are not burdensome burden-some under anything like norma! payrolls and normal buying power. When we consider that there are still thousands upon thousands of people out of employment ami the very people who are the best customers cus-tomers for meat it is nothing short of remarkable that the demand for meat continues as broad as is the case. Another angle which deserves study from those who would encourage en-courage stockmen to further reduce their flocks and herds is the possible possi-ble market for American meat food and animals from Russia. There are n-,any students of markets who believe be-lieve that Russia alone could consume con-sume our entire surplus, both of i meats and livestock. Certainly, this writer can not concur con-cur in any program which would call , for reduction of swine and beef cattle numbers in the far western states. California is producing only around i twenty-five per cent of the pork actually consumed within the state and production is relatively small in other states west of the Rocky mountains. California's beef cattle population is considerably less than j normal as shown by the large propor-i propor-i tion of California cattle slaughter ' that has been supplied by other states during the past year. Lifestock producers in the extreme ' west, because of the fact that pro-, pro-, duction is far below requirements of ! consumers, are and have been receiv-i receiv-i ing higher prices for the cattle, hogs I and lambs than is the case in any other part of the country. It would . be economically sound for western livestock producers to consider a program pro-gram to increase production rather than to spend millions of dollars annually an-nually in bringing in stock from ; distant states. ; o |