Cattle, Sheep and Swine Feeders' Association. 417 



Since the dawn of creation man's first need was food, and 

 the lack of it has led him to conquest in every field. When his 

 wants were supplied in plenteous quantities and at fair exchange 

 he had little else to disturb the even tenor of his way, but when 

 the conditions imposed in supplying his primitive needs seemed 

 burdensome or unfair, he then began to inquire the cause and 

 seek the remedy. So out of mankind's first necessity we enjoy 

 the splendid civilization of. today. And through it all we can 

 discern a serene and beautiful Providence which has shaped the 

 affairs of man. It has given to every race and generation its 

 own talent and has ordained that only those who are able to 

 combine the virtues of all shall endure. 



In the general readjustment of the affairs of the world today 

 we find that the supply of meat-producing animals is growing 

 lamentably less each year, and this through no malicious intent 

 of the individual producer to boost the price to the consumer. 

 Rather is it the result of a long train of events beginning back 

 a decade or two and leading up to the present time. Close 

 observers of conditions surrounding the live stock industry, 

 especially that phase of it which we represent, are inclined to 

 take a pessimistic view as to the future. The change in our 

 country from a creditor to a debtor nation as regards meat pro- 

 duction is becoming daily more and more a matter of stern 

 reality. It may interest some of you to know that in our own 

 State our herds have suffered a significant depletion. In 1890 

 more than two and one-half million cattle were on our pastures 

 or in the feed lots. The same number of hogs were here to 

 assist in paying off our mortgages, but today one million less 

 cattle and one-half million less hogs are here to help raise the 

 income tax. Government figures indicate that there are two mil- 

 lion less cattle, five million less hogs and two and one-half million 

 less sheep in all of the states than there were the preceding year. 

 This alone tells the story, and when we consider the rapid in- 

 crease in population the question naturally arises, "What are 

 we going to do about it?" The suggestions made for replen- 

 ishing our depleted herds. are almost as numerous and entirely 

 as vague as are the provisions of the income tax or the regional 

 banking law. No two are agreed on the same proposition of 

 replenishment. On the other hand, the vast army of consumers 

 are of one opinion, that they must buy cheaper meats. The 

 daily press is filled with unreasonable tales of the fabulous 

 profits of the farmer and Ihe stockman. Those who have 



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