A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF OUR LIVESTOCK-FEED SITUATION 



A brief explanation of the over-all livestock feed situation for the United 

 States is that "livestock production has outrun feed supplies." 



As illustrated in Fig. 1 helmf, the production of feed grains and hay for 

 the five years from 1937 to 19^2 vas higher than livestock production. This allowed 

 farmers to increase the production of meat animals "by 57 percent from 1939 to 19^3. 

 In 19^5 the picture changed. Meat animal production continued to increase, averaging 

 1^4- percent higher than in 19^2, but grain and hay production declined by 13 percent. 



The net result is that on a per animal unit basis the prospective supply of 

 all feed concentrates for 19^^> excluding hay but including feed wheat, is less than 

 the disappearance in 19^3. Total supplies, when feed wheat is included, are not much 

 different, but it is estimated that there are 10 percent more livestock on hand 

 January 1, 19^^, than in the previous year. 



It has been suggested by national authorities that the rate of livestock 

 feeding be reduced to the 19^^-0-41 level, which was .89 ton per animal unit. In 19^3 

 the disappearance was .96 ton per animal unit, while the 1937-^1 average is .87 ton. 

 Some adjustments are obviously necessary and are being made, but farmers could go too 

 far in their reduction of livestock numbers and feeding operations. 



L. F. Stice 



Fig. 1. --Production of Meat Animals and of 

 Feed Grains and Hajj U.S., 

 (1910-11^ = 100) 



Percent 



150 _ 



195536 3T5o 39 ^0 kl k2 k^ 



Fig. 2. --Supply and Dis- 

 appearance of Feeds 

 Per Animal Unit 



Tons 



1,00- 



1937-^1 19^5 19^^ 



av. 



