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Show Big Improvement In Beef Production Los Angeles, October 12, 1936 Remarkable improvement is being made in beef catlle production in the western states. In fact, that improvement during the past ten years has been more pronounced, in the opinion of men who have been intimately connected with the cattle business over a long period of time, than in the previous previ-ous twenty-five years. Two factors are mainly responsible respon-sible for the vigor with which cattlemen cat-tlemen are improving the average quality of their herds. Most important im-portant consideration is that buyers buy-ers and especially buyers of beef oyer the retail counters are demanding de-manding better quality meats. The other factor, in my opinion, is the development of good livestock shows in the western country. Particularly are those shows which carry a strong fat stock division valuable in carrying on the important im-portant work of livestock improvement.. improve-ment.. Back in 1934, when the government govern-ment agencies were buying drouth-stricken drouth-stricken cattle, the cattlemen took advantage of their greatest opportunity oppor-tunity to cull out the less desirable breeding animals. Of the millions of cattle purchased by the A A A, a very large percentage represented represent-ed the cull animals of the herds in drouth areas. So in this respect, the 1934 drouth was not an unmitigated un-mitigated evil. But most important of all is that there is a widespread demand for good beef and a growing price differential dif-ferential between the various grades. Beef cattle breeders have been quick to sense the improved demand for a better quality product. pro-duct. Competition of increased quantities of beef from dairy herds has brought about an abundant supply of mediocre beef. The cowman cow-man has decided to take his product pro-duct out of direct competition by producing a greatly superior product. pro-duct. The broad demand for purebred beef bulls indicates that further improvement in beef herds is yet to come, for the real foundation of better quality beef rests in the use of the right sort of breeding bulls. Those who visit the Great Western West-ern Livestock show, December 14 to 19 at the Los Angeles Union stockyards, will have opportunity to witness the progress being made in better beef production and the kind of bulls that are being used to bring about still better beef. Many of these high quality bulls will be offered for sale. |