IMPORTS BY THE UNITED KINGDOM 



1913 1914 1915 



Tons Tons Tons 



Beef, Mutton and Lamb — 



Importations into United King- 

 dom from foreign countries. . . 447,433 407,856 374,534 

 Importations into United King- 

 dom within the British Empire 273,228 286,609 289,974 



720,661 694,465 664,508 

 Beef only — 



Importations into United King- 

 dom from foreign countries. . . 380,135 340,525 325,453 

 Importations into United King- 

 dom within the Empire 79,909 101,440 104,967 



460,044 441,965 430,420 



THE PRESENT OPPORTUNITY FOR CANADIAN STOCKMEN 



JOHN BRIGHT, Dominion Live Stock Commissioner. 



A study of the live stock situation of the world at the present time cannot fail to 

 convince any practical person that Canadian stockmen will have, in the immediate 

 future, an exceptional opportunity for profitable trade. The question as yet un- 

 answered is whether they will realize the situation in time so to conduct their operations 

 as to take the fullest advantage of it. This is a matter of the utmost importance, 

 not only from the standpoint of the individual farmer but also from a national stand- 

 point. 



While the national phase of the question may lie somewhat outside of the considera- 

 tion of the average farmer, the matter of personal profit may be depended upon to 

 make its own appeal. In considering the latter aspect of the case the stockman who 

 is convinced that an unprecedented opportunity is presenting itself to develop the 

 live stock business of Canada, should not lose sight of the essential factors that will 

 make such development possible. The most important of these factors are: — 



(1) The laying of the foundation now by conserving breeding stock; 



(2) Improvement in the quality of live stock products by intelligent breeding — 

 the use of good sires, the weeding out of all scrubs both male and female, consistent 

 adherence to one breed, early castration of calves and of lambs; 



(3) Improvement in the care and feeding of young animals and improvement in 

 the finishing of animals for market; 



(4) The providing of a steady volume of trade by remaining continuously in the 

 ranks of the live stock producers despite temporary and sometimes discouraging fluc- 

 tuations in price as governed by the world's demand for live stock products. 



Until the last two or three years, Canadian farmers have annually allowed useful 

 female breeding stock, particularly cows and heifers, to go to market in large numbers. 

 While the rising prices of meats have checked this movement of late years, it must be 

 admitted that, even yet, at certain seasons of the year, there may be seen on any of 

 our large markets females of good type and with many years of usefulness ahead of 

 them. The country cannot afford to lose such animals at the present time and the pre- 

 vention of their slaughter is one of the first and most important steps to be taken in 



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