( 128 ) 



production. The farm plant operated at a level during 1942 

 that is not likely to be exceeded for several years. 



Stocks of Grain and Animals Soon Exhausted 



On July 1, 1943 the United States had about 500 million 

 bushels of wheat in excess of normal stocks. This supply 

 would feed the equivalent of about 40 million people on 

 wheat alone for one year. The nearest approach to this diet 

 is that of the Chinese coolie, who consumes about ninety per 

 cent of his diet in the form of cereals. 



Canada has about 500 million bushels of surplus wheat 

 which might be imported and reshipped. This would also 

 feed 40 million people for one year. The stocks of wheat in 

 the United States and Canada together would feed about 

 80 million people for one year. After these stocks had been 

 exhausted, there of course could be no further contribution 

 from this source. 



There are large stocks of food in the form of cattle on 

 farms. If these stocks of cattle were reduced, they would add 

 to food supplies by that amount. However, reducing inven- 

 tories of cattle would be accompanied or followed by a reduc- 

 tion in the current production of meat and milk. Conse- 

 quently the liquidation of livestock would in itself make 

 little net contribution. 



Our excess stocks of horses might feed 50,000 to 75,000 

 for a few years. 



We Can Feed a Few Millions on Livestock Products 



The United States can feed people by reducing its stand- 

 ard of living. This is the method currently followed. If the 

 American people reduce their standard of living by ten per 

 cent that is, if they reduce their consumption of the highly 

 prized foods, meat, milk, and eggs, by ten per cent and sub- 

 stitute grain the nation could feed about 3 million more 



