Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-12
BETTER GRADES
OF BEEF GO UP
POOR DECLINES
Fall Harvest in Full Swing in
All Sections, Grass Steers
Abundant.

Generally advancing prices for the
better grades of beef, with declines
noted with the poorer grades, were the
features of q two way market at Chi
cago during the last week. according to
a summary broadcast Wednesday by
the agricultural radiophone service of
the Montana Farmer, published in
Great Falls. The summary was as
follows:
THE fall beef harvest is in full
swing in all sections and the cattle
supply is the heaviest of the season.
Only in 1917 and 1918 were receipts
at leading markets as heavy at this
period as they have been in the last
two weeks. Grass steers are coming
forward in abundance, although the
movement of western rangers is below
the average. The magnet of relative
ly high prices for all steers grading
good or better is attracting a lot of
shortfeds. Canadians were much less
numerous last week, indicating that
the tariff barrier is effective.
Under a meager supply at Chica-
go and marked scarcity or complete
absence at other points, daily advances
featured the market during the week
for prime and choice steers, the top
reaching $12.70, a gain of 40 cents
for the week and the highest since De-
cember, 1920. The market was a two
way affair once more with low grades
at % to 80 cents decline for the week.
westerns going TO killers as low as
S6.25. Cow and heifer values receded
% to 40 at Chicago on all but the
choice kinds, bulls were Is TO % lower
while calves sustained a loss of S1.75
to 1925. Bulk of y~ealers are now
bringing SO to 81, compared with
S13.75 to $14 at the high point a few
weeks ago. Dressed beef and veal
prices declined as much or more than
values on the hoof.
Prices May Weaken.
THE market for choice and prime
steers is charting an independent
course and may go higher or lower, de-
pending OF just how scarce they be-
come. The demand for them will con
tinue strong at least till holiday needs
are satisfied early in December. There
after prices may weaken. especially if
feeders have had time to finish some
of the fleshy steers taken out in the
last two months. In any case, the
maintenance of prevailing top quota
tons into the winter is quite doubt
full.
Lower grades on the other hand
are evidently hunting bottom. After
the fall cleanup has been completed
in a month or six weeks, common and
medium steers will have more certain
footing. BY that time shortfed
steers will be quite abundant, if events
take a natural course, so that but lit
tie price improvement can be expected
on intermediate grades.
THE wool market was strong last
week with prices slightly higher. Mills
are buying more freely and all cheap
offerings in seaboard markets are
snapped up. Interest is increasing in
combing woods especially. Worsted
mills have large orders recently and
it is reported that many of them have
sold their product up to the end of the
year. In July, wooden mills were
working at Sc per cent of capacity and
American Wooden company. the lead
ing factor, has advanced prices on its
goods ~ to 3712 cents n yard, com
pared with opening prices a few weeks
ago. Total consumption of wool by |
including gkease, secured and
pulled wool in the first seven months
Of the year was 37S,9SS.000 pounds
compared with 294,O71 900 pounds in
the same period of 1921.
Demand for wheat in the last
months failed TO support prices |
at the early seaso level, but a sur
vey of the situation shows that United
States wheat has been absorbed into
consumptive and export channels at a
gratifying rate. Receipts at primary
markets since July / have not been as
as last year, but taking changes
the visible supply at terminals into
consideration, about the same amount
mas disappeared as in the correspond
ng period last year and 40 per cent
more than in the 10-year average.
Export Above Average.
Exports of wheat and flour COM
in the first three months Of the
crop year, estimating September
.learances at $4,000. 900 bushels, have
,een approximately S5,600,0 900 bushels.
The record movement in that period
occurred last week, when the total for i
hree months reached 135,327,O 900
In 1920 and 1914. also, this
5ear's movement vas exceeded but
he 10-year average for the three
months is only 55,199.000 bushels.
domestic consumption, according
o these figures would be larger than
asst year, but flour production from
uly l to September 16, as estimated
Y Russell. was about 9 per cent less !
han in the same period of 1921. The
discrepancy may be due to larger
tocks in the hands of mills or to the
act that more wheat is in transit be-
terminals and the seaboard due
D the freight congestion so that it is !
18th this qualification. the rate of dis
OF counted in the visible supply. Even
is satisfactory.
1.-THE Canadian situation also has
ONE surprises. Although farmers in
ne three northwestern provinces have
Did slproximately 100,000.000 bush
IS since September l, of which around !
100000 bushels reaches Winning, !
lie increase in the Canadian visible !