1909.] Demand for Live Stock in Colombia. 



4fi 



Oxen are much used as beasts of burden, and it has been 

 suggested that some Indian breeds might be serviceable for 

 this purpose. 



Sheep do well on the hills about thirty miles to the north 

 of Bogota. This is the region of the salt mines, and the 

 mutton is almost equal to the p re-sale mutton produced on 

 the marshes of Normandy. It is probable, however, that 

 the breed could be improved. Pigs have been introduced 

 from Europe by a German resident, and this is a matter 

 which deserves more attention than has yet been given to it. 



The cattle business requires a large capital, but when 

 properly managed it is extremely profitable, especially 

 perhaps in the Tolima. The breeding is generally in the 

 hands of cottiers with only a few acres of land. These sell 

 their young stock to the smaller landowners, who, in turn, 

 pass them on to the large proprietors to fatten for the market. 

 The cattle were generally driven off in the Tolima during 

 the Civil War, and there was simultaneously a great diminu- 

 tion in the population. Since the re-establishment of order, 

 however, there has been a marked recovery. 



The American Consul at Cartagena states (U.S. Cons. 

 Reports, No. 3,376) that inquiries have recently been made 

 in Colombia with a view to the export of cattle to the United 

 States and England. It appears that the shipment of cattle 

 from this Republic has hitherto been confined to Cuba and 

 Panama, but the prevailing tariffs will lead Colombian 

 cattle-growers to welcome a new market. There are at least 

 30,000 head of cattle in the Cartagena district available for 

 immediate export, and at least 100,000 could be supplied 

 within a year. 



A further report from the same source (No. 3,402) states 

 that at the present time cattle-raising forms the principal 

 industry "in the Sinu Valley in north-western Colombia, and 

 the number of cattle is estimated at from one-half to three- 

 quarters of a million. It has not been unusual for 100,000 

 beef cattle to be exported annually, and in some years this 

 number has been exceeded. Little effort has been made to 

 develop a dairying industry, although the country is 

 naturally suitable. It is mentioned that there is probably 

 an opening for dairy and agricultural machinery, as well as 

 for cattle foods and remedies. 



