Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 2 · column 2 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
The livestock industry is a great economic asset of the state. In 1949 the gross income from cattle and calves was $43,581,000; from hogs, $50,052,000; and from sheep $3,876,000; a total of nearly $100,090,000. To meet our growing livestock industry we ne^d more grass. Our best utilization of grass pasture is made by beef cattle. Beef cows in cow and calf herds, an increase of 20% in the past year.
There are 53,000 one- to twoyear-old heifers,'anu increase of 26% and 95,000 calves, an increase of 13% along with 116,000 steers showing an increase of 7 %. These percentage increases for the past year show rapidly the industry is progressing, and how important it is for us to grow and utilize our pastures to advantage.
The livestock of Virginia has increased in both number and quality. There are more Herefords in Virginia than any other breed of cattle but last year thje Aberdeen Angus State Association held ten public sales at which 634 head of cattle were sold at average olj $523, making a total of $331,215. Quite a nicte sum of money.
Virginia Aberdeen Angus breeders have used in the past 15 years no fewer than six international grand champion sires—a record not equalled by any other state. These six grand champion siresi were; Epponian 8th of Rosemere, Bandolier of Ankoa 6th, Envious Blackcap B 6th, Glencarnock Eric of Cremona, Wintonier 4th, and Price Sunbeam 249.
Another example of the quality of Virginia livestock was shown at the Eastern Stud Ram sale held at Staunton. The entire consignment of 116 head sold for an average of $212. All Southdown rams average $275 with a high of $790. The top selling Dorset ram sold for $450. The Hampshire ewes’ averaged $217, and the Hampshire rams brought an average of $314. All of these are records for sheep sales made at public auction.
Virginia does have quality livestock and with the pasture improvement program we can expect great things for he future of the industry. We have only to visit those states which have been denied an abundance of grass to realize how wonderfully- -nature has endowed us. John J. Ingalls once wrote a very beautiful tribute to grass which I would like to pass oni to £ou. It is called:
65.7%