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plies at a time when we are faced with a shortage. The ex- 

 pansion in the numbers of livestock, which began in 1937 

 and continued into 1943, was due to a succession of good 

 crops. Most of the abundant supplies of livestock in 1943 

 were a product of six years of the co-operative efforts of the 

 farmers, the seedsmen who developed and multiplied hybrid 5 

 corn, and the weatherman. Their combined efforts more than 

 counteracted the efforts of the restrictionists. 



The nation can plan for increased livestock production 

 based on low grain prices as long as the grain does not run 

 out. For continued expansion it is necessary that the expan- 

 sion of feed crops keep pace with the increasing numbers of 

 livestock. Livestock production is more than merely a prob- 

 lem of the number of sows that can be bred and the number 

 of chickens that can be hatched. Because of the limitations of 

 acres of farm land, farm labor, and machinery, the amount 

 of multiplication that is possible in the production of feed 

 crops is insignificant in proportion to the possibilities of in- 

 creasing numbers of livestock. When livestock numbers do 

 not expand or contract in proportion to feed supplies, there 

 is likely to be trouble. 



Low Ceiling Prices Caused High-Protein-Feed Shortage 



One phase of the livestock expansion program has been 

 the maintenance of low prices for the high-protein feeds in 

 order to make livestock production profitable. The high- 

 protein feeds for animals consist of tankage, meat scraps, 

 and oil meal. The high-protein foods for man consist of meat, 

 milk, and eggs. Our policy of maintaining cheap protein feeds 

 for livestock was similar to our policy of maintaining cheap 

 protein foods for man. In the early stages the same method 

 was followed. Low ceiling prices were maintained, and ra- 

 tioning was not attempted. 



A shortage of high-protein feeds for livestock developed 



