DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT PREPARED FOR THE COMMISSION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE BRAZIL CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION For Distribution at the Brazil Centennial Exposition 1922*1923 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFTICB 1922 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES Supplementing Exhibit of the BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY at the BRAZIL CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1922-1923 V By JOHN R. MOHLER Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. Wide Diversity in Kinds of Live Stock in the United States. Of the many points of interest relating to live stock in the United States one of the most striking is the great diversity of stock kept. This is accounted for largely by the diversity in types of farming and in climate. The large population, including many nationalities, is respon- sible also, no doubt, for the many breeds and varieties found in the United States. Such a condition makes possible the satisfying of prac- tically every want or preference in the line of domestic live stock. There are five well-established .breeds of dairy cattle and as many breeds of beef cattle in addition to which several others are raised for both milk and meat. Both the lard and bacon types of swine are well represented. The breeds of sheep raised are especially numerous. Some are kept primarily for wool, others for meat, and still others for both wool and meat. Besides, certain breeds of sheep excel under farm conditions while others are specially adapted to the large ranges. Horses of many types are bred and raised. There has been particular interest in draft breeds during the last few years. The goat industry includes both milk goats and those kept for meat and browsing purposes. Varieties of poultry in the United States are so numerous that five separate bulletins containing altogether 124 pages are required to discuss their characteristics. To familiarize interested persons in Brazil with the breeds and types of live stock in the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture has furnished the Brazilian Centennial Exposition with a comprehensive collection of official bulletins. These contain many pictures of animals and discuss breed characteristics. Persons desiring copies of any of the bulletins for their own use may obtain them by applying to the United States Department of Agriculture. Live-Stock Improvement in the United States. In recent years special attention has been given to the improvement of live stock in the United States. Pure-bred animals of the various breeds have been brought to a high state of perfection and this work is 11318—22 3 4 UVE-STOCK INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. being continued actively. The best breeds of the Old World have been introduced, improved, and adapted to American farm and range condi- tions, and some native breeds have also been developed. Many pure- bred herds of the finest stock in the world are to be found in the United States. Improvement in the breeding of general farm live stock is being brought about by means of a systematic campaign for "Better sires — better stock." Farmers whose stock is not already pure-bred are urged to use at least pure-bred sires so as to improve gradually the qualitv of their animals. About 8,000 live-stock owners are participating in this work and have agreed to use only pure-bred sires for breeding purposes. Rapid Progress in Disease Control. The United States Department of Agriculture protects the live stock of the country from the introduction of foreign animal plagues and is working successfully to control and eradicate other diseases and pests. The United States is entirely free from foot-and-mouth disease (aphthous fever), rinderpest, and many other infectious diseases that ravage the live-stock industry in other parts of the world. Scabies of sheep and cattle and dourine of horses have been almost completely eradicated. After 16 years of systematic work the ticks that cause fever (tristeza or piroplasmosis) of cattle have been exterminated in 72 per cent of the area that was originally infested, and their complete eradication is confidently expected in a few years. Hog cholera is being brought more and more under control by means of sanitation and the protective serum treatment. The eradication of bovine tubercu- losis has been undertaken in recent years, and several thousand herds of cattle are now officially accredited as free from this disease. On the whole, the live stock of the United States is believed to be the healthiest in the world. Kxtensive Experiments Conducted. The United States Department of Agriculture has a live-stock and dairy experiment farm near Washington where investigations are con- stantly being made for the improvement of methods of breeding, feeding and managing live stock and poultry and working out problems in dairy farming. The department also has several other experiment farms in different sections of the country, and in addition each of the 48 States and the Territories of Alaska, Porto Rico, and Hawaii has an agricultural experiment station. These numerous institutions carry on investiga- tions and demonstrations for the development and improvement of the live-stock industry and agriculture in general under a great variety of local and climatic conditions. At the United States Morgan Horse Farm in the eastern State of Vermont the native Morgan breed of horses, noted for its stamina and endurance, is bred for the propagation of LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. 5 the best types. At another station in the western State of Wyoming horses suitable for western farm and range conditions are bred. Sheep- breeding operations at the United States Sheep Experiment Station in Idaho have improved the standard breeds for the production of mutton and wool in the range country and have resulted in establishing a new breed, the Columbia, which combines high qualities in a range sheep. Special attention is called to the records of high milk and butter-fat production made by dairy cows as shown in the exhibit. Very successful efforts have been made to improve milking qualities and to increase production by means of what are known as cow-testing associations and by tests under which cows attaining certain standards of production are admitted to special registry. The purpose is to eliminate cows of low production and to utilize for breeding purposes those giving a high yield. Magnitude of the Live-Stock Industry in the United States. Figures from the latest census (1920) give an idea of the magnitude of the live-stock industry of the United States. The numbers of animals in the country were as follows: Cattle, 68,764,086; swine, 61,984,798; horses, 21,472,772; mules, 5,810,641; sheep, 35483058; goats, 3*563,659. The State of Texas alone had 6,362,799 cattle, while Iowa had 7,945,620 swine. The number of chickens raised in the United States in 19 19 was 473,301,959, and the egg production was 1,654,044,932 dozens. The Federal Meat Inspection. The Government has a system of meat inspection under which all meat and meat-food products slaughtered and prepared at establishments engaged in interstate or export trade are carefully inspected to insure their wholesomeness. The live animals are inspected before slaughter and the carcasses and products are inspected at the time of and after slaughter. The inspection is performed by trained veterinarians and other experts. Good sanitary conditions and truthful labeling are re- quired, and the use of harmful chemicals and preservatives is prohibited. No meat or meat-food product is allowed to be exported unless it has passed this inspection. The Federal inspection covers about 64 per cent of all meats slaughtered in the country and much of the remainder comes under local inspection. The number of animals slaughtered under Federal inspection during 192 1 were as follows: Cattle, 7,608,280; calves, 3,807,568; sheep, 13,004,- 905; goats, 12,133; swine, 38,982,356. Typical Live-Stock Farm in the United States. For the purpose of acquainting visitors at the Brazilian Centennial Exposition with the extent and nature of the United States live-stock 6 LIVE-STOCK INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. industry, the exhibit material consists principally of large paintings of typical animals and scenes. One of the paintings, measuring 10 by 20 feet, portrays a live-stock farm including buildings, pastures, and wood- land in addition to the animals. The stock shown includes beef and dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and swine. Frieze Showing Breeds of Swine. Another portion of the exhibit portrays swine of the following breeds : Berkshire, Duroc-Jersey, Poland China, Hampshire, Chester White, Yorkshire, Tarn worth, and Spotted Poland China. The pictures are shown on a frieze, each animal being colored to show the typical appear- ance of its breed. A legend giving the name of the breed and sex of animals shown accompanies each picture. Popular Breeds of Sheep. A similar frieze shows typical sheep of the following breeds: Merino, Rambouillet, Shropshire, Corriedale, Lincoln, Cotswold, and Hampshire. Panel of Beef Cattle. Types of beef cattle raised on a large scale in the United States are shown by framed pictures on a panel. Both males and females of each of the following breeds are illustrated: Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen- Angus, and Galloway. Dairy Cattle and Their Records. A panel similar to that for beef cattle presents the breeds of dairy cattle, namely, Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, Guernsey, Ayrshire, and Brown Swiss. The legends give the production records both in milk and butter fat of outstanding representatives of the breeds. Summary Statement of United States Live-Stock Industry. A summary of the live-stock industry of the United States appears in the form of an open book on a pedestal in front of the principal painting. The text of the statement is as follows : Live-stock raising is one of the great industries of the United States. It supplies, besides meat, many necessities including milk, wool, and leather. Domestic animals are raised in all parts of the country, but production is most extensive in regions where pastures, corn, and forage crops are abundant. Farms vary greatly in size, but even on the smaller ones, contnining 100 acres or less, several kinds of domestic animals are generally kept. Cattle, swine, and poultry, together with horses, sufficient to work the farm, are a very common com- bination. Dairying is most extensive near the large cities, UVE-STOCK INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. 7 particularly in the eastern and central portions of the United States. Sheep and goat raising is practiced mostly in the less populated regions and where suitable pasturage exists. The last census (1920) shows that the United States con- tains nearly 200,000,000 domestic animals, besides more than 400,000,000 fowls. Cattle number approximately 68,000,000; swine, 62,000,000; sheep and goats together, 39,000,000; and horses and mules together, 27,000,000. The welfare of the live-stock industry is safeguarded by a strong sentiment for sanitation, disease control, and necessary laws to prevent the spread of animal disease and pests. Each of the 48 States has an agricultural college and experiment station; and live-stock growers have organized many asso- ciations for their mutual benefit. A great deal is accomplished also by hundreds of boys' and girls' clubs throughout the country. Members of these organizations devote themselves to raising pure-bred live stock. Numerous fairs, exhibits, and special live-stock shows give breeders the opportunity to exhibit their animals and to become more proficient in breeding and management. In addition to the statement, 60 uncolored photographs of horses, goats, and poultry are on display in the book. The illustrations are accompanied by suitable explanatory legends. Motion Pictures. The following motion pictures have been selected by the Bureau of Animal Industry for display at the exposition : "Out of the Shadows," a human-interest film showing the eradication of bovine tuberculosis. "Making the South Tick Free," a popular film explaining methods of combating cattle ticks. "Best Breeds of Swine," a film which shows types of American-bred swine suitable for improving swine in South America. "Great Dairy Sires and Their Daughters," a film which shows motion pictures of the five leading dairy breeds, including both sexes and sup- plementary pictures portraying methods used by the Department of Agriculture to improve the dairy industry. The purpose of all of the pictures is to impress upon those who see them the excellent quality of United States live stock and the practical methods used to improve it still more. o UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IMI1I IIIIIM 3 1262 08925 9898