Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-01-05
Annual Report OF the Livestock
Receipts at the Brighton Market
Furnishes Significant Figures.

Brighton, Mass, Jan. 4.--lSpeeidJ'-
The receipts of livestock ut the local
market during the past year were
somewhat smaller than for the previ-
Gus year, with the exception of calves,
which showed a small increase. The
scarcity of stock of all kinds has been
more pronounced during the past year,
and promises to continue, as the rals-
ing of livestock is not keeping pace
with the increase in the population or
the country; in fact, while the popu-
lation has increased to large extent,
there has been a decrease in the num-
ber of farm animals. The corn crop
during the past year was curtailed by
the severe drought in Kansas and
some other sections. so that the price
has been high, and the cost of feeding
stock has not been reduced, as had
been hoped would be the case.
These conditions have brought high
prices for livestock, and the COM
plants of consumes regarding the
high price of meats led to the placing
of livestock and meats on the free list
in the tariff bill recently passed. This
bill has been in force for some time,
but has brought no decline in prices
either of livestock or meats. The
shortage of domestic supply has been
so great that even with the increased
supply brought from other countries
the demand could not be filed, The
first effect of the removal of the duty
was to bring considerable number OF
cattle and some sheep from Canada.
The average quality of the Canadian
~ moor.
greater part of the cows imported
grading as belognas ana Gamers, SO
that no relief has been given to the
market for good beef cattle.
The demand here was so active that
dealers bid for Canadian stock the
prices formerly ruling, with the addi-
ton of the amount Of the duty that
has been removed, so that the only
result has been to advance the price
in Canada, without reducing 1t here.
These prices were eagerly accepted by
Canadian raisers. and in q short time
the most of the available supply there
was exhausted, being rather limited in
the first place. Canada has a large
amount of land suitable for cattle
raising, and it is probable that II the
present high prices are maintained
this industry will become more promi-
nent there. Except for few cattle
brought across from Mexico there have
been no importation of livestock from
any other country.
Importations of dressed beef have
been heavy since the removal OF the
duty, Argentina being the heaviest
shippers, while a small quantity has
been brought in from Australia. The
quality of Argentine beef is good, al
though below the best native beer.
For a brief time after the first impor-
tation this beef was sold as imported
beef, at a slight discount from price
of native beef. but now is seldom sep
arated by dealers, and is sold at the
same price as native beef of the same
quality. The big packers of this coun-
try have plants in Argentina, and
most of the beef received here has
come from them. L. - ,ese -
With the breaking7up of thesbig cat
tie yranchesesef the West the cost of
raising cattle has increased to large
extent, as almost all have to be fed
on grain now. This has removed the
advantage that has been held by the
West for so many years. and under
existing conditions, cattle can be rails
ed in the East about as cheaply as in
the West AS yet Eastern farmers
have done little to revive beef raising,
but it is expert opinion that this is a
profitable field. and that 1t supplies the
remedy for the present shortage.
The receipts of cattle in the Boston
market, including milch cows, during
the past year, were d little smaller
than for the previous year. Choice
steers and oxen continue to decrease,
and comparatively few are received
from New England. Choice heavy
cows, however. have been in larger
supply. the high prices obtainable for
beef cattle leading to the sale of good
cows of only average milking qualities
for beef, as which they command high
er figures.
z A year ago the best steers brought
SA a &C. and the latter price would be
paid now for stock of the same quail
ty, but few o. the cattle that have
been brought to market of late have
been sufficiently choice to command
top figures. The market for choice beef
cows has been strong, and these have
ranged from 5k e 6hc, with fancy
cows at q 7Ac. Good average cows
have sold from Az q SIC, and bolog-
mas and Gamers from 3A q sac with
some as low as &c when the supply
was heaviest, from Canada and New
York state. Bulls have been in good
supply at a &c.
Sheep and lambs showed some de-
crease from the figures of 1912, though
the falling off was very small. Early
in the year the receipts were very
light, but the passage of the tariff,
placing wool and sheep on the free
list, led to heavy marketing. Price Of
sheep have ranged from a &c, and
for lambs from q SHc. There has
been no shortage in the local supplies
of sheep and lambs. but during part Of
the time the receipts were in excess of
the demand.
Veal calves were in somewhat larger
supply than during the previous year,
which indicates that farmers are SELL