1941: Horses And Mules

Despite the demand for mechanized equipment for our armed forces and the resultant shortages in metals, mechanization continued to replace horses and mules on United States farms. A factor contributing to the emphasis on labor-saving machinery was, of course, the decline in farm labor due to the draft and to the attractive wages paid by our industries. The number of horses on farms Jan. 1, 1942, was 9,856,000 head, decline of about 4 per cent compared with a year earlier. There was also a decline of $3.46 in the average value per head and the total value of $638,757,000 was the lowest in over 40 years.

1940: Horses And Mules

Mechanization, improved transportation facilities, and farm labor problems all contribute to the continued decline in numbers of horses and mules in the United States. The number on farms on Jan. 1, 1941, is expected to show a further decline of about 500,000 head, or about 3 per cent, from the 14,900,000 head on hand a year earlier. This decline has continued every year since 1916.

About 70 per cent of the total, or roughly 10,000,000 head, consists of horses. Iowa is the leading state and on Jan. 1, 1940, had 752,000 head. Other leading states and their numbers on that date were: Texas, 679,000 head; Minnesota, 635,000; Illinois, 628,000; and Missouri, 524,000 head.

The Dec. 15, 1940, farm price of horses was only $69.10 a head, compared with $77.10 a year earlier.

Numbers of mules have been declining less rapidly than horses. On Jan. 1, 1941, there were about 4,250,000 head on farms, compared with 4,321,000 a year earlier. About 80 per cent of the mules are located in the southern states, as they are better able to withstand the heat and are also lighter eaters than horses. The decline in cotton acreage due to the loss of export markets has, of course, reduced the use of mules in southern farming operations.

Texas leads in the number of mules with 659,000 head on Jan. 1, 1940. Other leading states on that date were: Mississippi, 361,000; Georgia, 334,000; Alabama, 319,000; and North Carolina, 305,000 head.

Mules were selling on the farm at an average of $87.30 a head on Dec. 15, 1940, compared with $97.20 a year earlier.

1939: Horses And Mules

The mechanization of agriculture and of the short haul transportation facilities has resulted in a steady decline in the number of horses and mules ever since 1915. Numbers on Jan. 1, 1940, are expected to show a decline of about 3 per cent from the 15,182,000 head on farms the previous year and compare with 19,124,000 head on farms only 10 years ago.

Horses constitute about 70 per cent of the total. On Dec. 15, 1939, farmers received an average of $77.10 per head for their horses, compared with $79.80, the previous year, and $70.23 per head, the average for the 10 years 1928-37. Iowa leads in number of horses on farms with 783,000 head on Jan. 1, 1939, followed by Texas with 679,000, Minnesota with 662,000, Illinois 661,000, and Missouri 524,000 head.

Numbers of mules have not declined as rapidly as have horses, but since 1925 have followed the same general downward trend. Numbers on farms Jan. 1, 1939, were only 4,382,000 head, compared with 5,382,000 head ten years earlier. Fully 80 per cent of the mules are located in the southern states, where they are used primarily in the cotton fields. They withstand the heat better than horses and eat less.

The production of mules is not as general as horses, and they bring a somewhat higher market price. On Dec. 15, 1939, mules were selling on farms for an average of $97.20 per head, or about the same as a year earlier.

Texas leads in number of mules with 687,000 head on Jan. 1, 1939, followed by Mississippi with 361,000, Georgia 337,000, Alabama 316,000, and North Carolina 310,000 head.

1938: Horses And Mules

The number of horses on farms in the United States has declined steadily from the peak of 21,431,000 head in 1915 and, on Jan. 1, 1939, totaled only 10,800,000 head. This decline in numbers has been accompanied by a decline in value per head. The average farm value on Jan. 1, 1939 — $84.40 per horse — contrasted with $105.85 the average during the five years 1910-14.

The decline in horse numbers has resulted from the rapid improvements in agricultural machinery, particularly the tractor, and the resulting mechanization of farming.

Iowa led in numbers of horses on farms on Jan. 1, 1939, with 783,000 head, followed by Texas with 679,000; Minnesota, 662,000; Illinois, 661,000; Missouri, 524,000 head.

Changes in mule numbers have followed a similar pattern except that the peak number on farms — 5,918,000 head — was not reached until 1925. Since then numbers have declined steadily and, on Jan. 1, 1939, were only 4,382,000 head.

Mules average higher in value per head than horses. Farm value per head has ranged from $148.00 in 1920 down to $60.00 in 1932, and back to the $117.72 of Jan. 1, 1939.

Approximately 80 per cent of the mules are located in the Southern States where they are used primarily in the cultivation of cotton. Texas leading in number of mules with 687,000 head on farms, Jan. 1, 1939; followed by Mississippi with 361,000; Georgia with 337,000; Alabama with 316,000; and North Carolina with 310,000 head. In the actual breeding and raising of mules, however. Missouri is easily the leading state with 219,000 head on farms Jan. 1, 1939.