16 



THE CUBA REVIEW 



Cuban cattle along the Vianks of a river. 



CATTLE RAISING IN CUBA 



By Consul Henry M. Wolcott, Habana 



Many inquiries have been received at the Hal)ana consulate general from Americans who 

 desire information as to the possibilities of success in the cattle-raising industry in this country. 

 Therefore it is opporttme to submit the following report prepared liy an American who for 

 14 years was directly engaged in this business under very favorable conditions in the eastern 

 end of the island: 



At the close of the Spanish-American war, Cuba was practically without cattle, and im- 

 portations commenced in 1899 from the United States, Mexico, South America, Porto Rico, 

 and some from the smaller West Indies; mostly grown thin steers were brought from South 

 America and female stock from other places. The thin steers weighing about 700 pounds upon 

 arrival, would gain 300 pounds on the good pastures here in five months, and the net gain per 

 head was about $10. The price of beef cattle from 1900 to 1904 was about 6 to 6^ cents per 

 pound on the hoof; cows, $60; bull yearhngs, $25, etc. 



About 1905 the country was overstocked with cattle; exportation is impracticable because 

 the supply is too small to properly fit out the refrigei-ator carriers for dressed meats, and the 

 grass-fed live cattle lose too much in transit. The price began to fall in 1905, and at this period 

 beef was selling from 3 to 33'2 cents a pound, cows $25, yearlings $8 to $12, etc. These condi- 

 tions continued, and at times there was no demand until all kinds of female stock was being 

 slaughtered daily, and in 1913 a scarcity was felt, and since then prices of all kinds of cattle 

 have gradually risen until present sales are at 6M to 7 cents for beef, $55 for cows, $25 for bull 

 yearlings, etc. 



