PROCEEDINGS CORN BELT MEAT PRODUCERS' ASSN. 545 



suits in a much too large proportion of the supply coming at the beginning 

 of the week. This is especially true of stock shipped and accompanied by 

 individual producers and to considerable extent with that shipped through 

 shipping associations that have set marketing days. The worst offenders 

 in this respect are cattle shippers. In 1919 for ten leading markets 57.5 

 per cent of the total weekly receipts of cattle came on Mondays and 

 Tuesdays. 



To what extent these defects are susceptible of correction or improve 

 is a difficult question. It is possible that they are inherent in the con- 

 ditions under which live stock production necessarily takes place and 

 hence cannot be greatly changed. It may be arguable that the present 

 practice with all its shortcomings has developed as being the best adapted 

 to meet all the confusing conditions involved. But probably the most 

 ardent apologist for things as they are would not go this far. Practically 

 all admit the desirability of securing better knowledge of supplies; also 

 the evil effects of unequal daily distribution and of occasionally dispropor- 

 tionate receipts. It will be generally conceded that less fluctuating prices 

 over short periods would be a benefit. Of the various interests associated 

 with the industry those whose profits are least affected by these condi- 

 tions are the ones most inclined to doubt whether present conditions can 

 be improved. The situation is confused by the too prevalent tendency of 

 different interests to lay the blame on some other. This lack of harmony, 

 and the disinclination to give the whole question disinterested study, have 

 heretofore prevented any whole-hearted attempts at improvements. 



One thing is certain and that is that if any improvements are made the 

 initiation of any activities leading to them must come from the producers. 

 Equally certain it is that whatever beneficial changes shall be made will 

 only come as a result of trial and experiment and not through any theo- 

 retically evolved plans deemed capable of immediate cure. 



The central aim of any plan for the orderly marketing of live stock 

 should be to move the seasonable and yearly supplies of the different 

 kinds and classes of animals to market at such times and in such volume 

 that the total net returns to producers as a class should be the highest 

 possible and that this total should be distributed among producers of 

 similar kinds in the most equitable manner. Admittedly this is no small 

 undertaking. It involves a study and understanding of the live stock and 

 meat and by-products industries in all their respects, beginning with thb 

 conditions of animal production and continuing through the marketing, 

 utilization, distribution and ultimate consumption. The commodities to 

 be considered are quite varied in character, are produced under many and 

 dissimilar conditions and at greatly varying costs for each kind and class, 

 are marketed in many diverse ways and have their values determined by 

 a multitude of factors that control the consumptive value of their various 

 products. 



In view of this situation any attempt to formulate marketing plans to 

 include all sections of the country and calculated to bring the entire move- 

 ment to market within its scope -is an impossibility. The most that can 

 be hoped to include is the movement to the great central markets through 

 which the supplies from the surplus production region go to the centers 



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