AGRICULTURE IN VARIOUS LOCALITIES

G. W. Gasser

SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA, or the Panhandle, is the narrow region closest to the States. Although the heaviest concentration of population is in this area, thus insuring a market, the natural conditions do not favor the livestock industry. Rainfall is heavy. It is made up mainly of heavily forested, rugged islands. The mountain meadows are mostly muskeg and moss. Predatory animals make the livestock industry somewhat hazardous. A number of river deltas and salt marshes on the mainland are the most favorable locations for possible livestock operations and limited grassland development.

Southwestern Alaska and the Aleutians include Kodiak Island and environs, the Alaska Peninsula, and the Aleutian Chain. In this area the Russians maintained some livestock during their years of occupation. Using Siberian stock, they apparently gave the stock little care. Winter feeding was usually not necessary, because of favorable weather conditions and the ability of the Siberian cattle to provide for themselves. As late as the turn of the century, strains of the Siberian stock were quite noticeable in some of the cattle in this region.

Perhaps the most romantic chapter in Alaska livestock history is written around Chirikof Island, southwest of Kodiak. In 1886 or 1888 (the records are not clear), a San Francisco company brought to this island one Shorthorn bull, two Shorthorn cows, two Jersey cows, and one Holstein cow. Sometime later, a Jersey bull was brought to this island. The purpose of this importation to isolated Chirikof Island was to establish a fresh-meat supply for the whaling vessels of the company operated in the Bering Sea and the Arctic.

Refrigeration units for ships had not been perfected at that early date, and fresh meat put aboard ship at San Francisco was either consumed or had spoiled by the time sailing craft or steamers had reached Alaskan waters. Scurvy, caused by the lack of fresh meat and fresh vegetables, was a constant problem for shipmasters. Therefore, the San Francisco company believed that by putting ashore enough basic stock to start a herd of cattle, the danger of scurvy, as far as its ships' crews were concerned, would be eliminated, and the Alaskan source of fresh beef would aid materially in its whaling operations.

Within a few years after the cattle were put ashore on wild, uninhabited Chirikof Island, the whaling industry declined and the San Francisco company abandoned the project. They also abandoned the cattle. This livestock roamed Chirikof Island and fared very well on the native bluetop grass and beach rye. The Army contracted with the present lessees of the island for the delivery of a large quantity of beef. At last report, no beef had been delivered. Contributing factors, as stated by Army officers, were the lack of harbor facilities at Chirikof and no protection from weather for a steamer, the lack of an abattoir or cold-storage facilities on the island, and the difficulty of rounding up the wild cattle, due to difficult terrain and lack of facilities. However, as far as raising livestock is concerned, there is concrete evidence that cattle will prosper and increase in this section of the Territory. It should also be stated that Chirikof Island is free of predatory animals.

Local ranchers and farmers brought cattle to Kodiak in 1914, following the eruption of Mount Katmai. The cattle population on the island increased considerably over the next two decades. But the greatest enemy of a successful livestock industry on Kodiak Island is the Kodiak bear, which is protected under the authority of the Alaska Game Commission, a branch of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior.

The climate of Kodiak Island and nearby islands permits cattle to rustle for themselves throughout the year. Summer range is virtually limitless, but winter feeding of some quantity will be necessary if large cattle herds are to be maintained. Herds are not limited by the amount of beach rye and wild peas available for natural forage in winter, but problems of adequate cold storage, reliable transportation, access to market, and the status of the Kodiak brown bear in relation to livestock await solution before an unqualified endorsement can be given any large-scale projects on the island.

Sheep have been raised for a number of years on Sitkalidak Island, Unimak Island, Unalaska, Umnak Island, and even as far west as Adak Island in the Aleutians. These islands have large natural feeding grounds and a fairly good climate for sheep. Shelters are required during lambing seasons, and some feed and care must be provided when heavy snows cover natural range. Sheep raised in westernmost Alaska produce an excellent grade and quantity of wool and good meat.

The discovery of gold in the Fairbanks area in 1904 marks the beginning of livestock history in the interior of Alaska. Many cattle, sheep, and hogs were brought to the Fairbanks camp and elsewhere in the interior where markets for fresh meat existed. During the summer months, two routes were used for shipment down the Yukon River by barge to Circle, then 160 miles by trail to Fairbanks, or from Valdez, on the coast, along a trail 370 miles north to Fairbanks. On either route, cattle lived mostly on the plentiful native grasses and forage. At Fairbanks, the stock would be fattened on native hay and such feed as might be available usually at the cost of $100 or more a ton. The procedure was popular in the interior for a number of years. No attempt was made then to utilize the native grass in the development of a livestock industry near Fairbanks.

A herd of 23 bison was imported in 1927 from Montana and turned loose in the Big Delta country of the Tanana Valley; the herd has been given no attention since it arrived in the Valley. Today at least 400 head are said to be in the area. A small herd of the bison has migrated into the Copper River country and is also reported to be increasing. Natural grass has always been plentiful in the section, and water is ample for cattle operations. Vast swampy areas are a serious problem, though, because they are breeding spots for mosquitoes, which plague cattle in the lowlands in late spring and early summer. Mosquitoes are not so prevalent on hillsides and cleared land.

Because of the cold winters in the interior, most farmers in-feed their cattle from October 15 until May 1. A farm with a good southern exposure can be grazed longer in the fall and a little earlier in the spring than a farm on the valley floor. To insure plenty of feed, stockmen should plan on at least 7 1/2 months of feeding each year; 2 1/2 to 3 tons of hay is needed per head for range cattle, or, if silage is used, 8 or 9 tons per head.

As in the case of southwestern Alaska, the experience with livestock in south-central Alaska and the Kenai dates back to the Russian occupation. Cows of Siberian origin were maintained in the Russian villages on the Kenai Peninsula. Being hardy rustlers, the animals took care of themselves and subsisted on native grasses and hay. In 1906, the United States Department of Agriculture established an experimental station at Kenai. A small herd of Galloway cattle at the station was pastured on native grasses during the open season and fed on native hay during the winter. Although the cattle were transferred to Kodiak after a year, it was observed that the animals maintained themselves in good condition on their diet of native grasses and hay.

Today there are approximately 100 head of cattle in and near the villages on the Kenai Peninsula. Summer feeding is amply taken care of by the luxuriant grasses, but heavy snows made in-feeding necessary in most regions. At Homer, particularly, summer range on the high tableland should be excellent, although the deep snows would drive the cattle to the beach land. The climate at Homer is mild enough for a limited number of cattle to winter out on the beach.