Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-09-06

, since the winter of 1920, beef val
ues on the eastern markets are show
ing distinct advance, passing j.
some instances the mark predictst
earlier in the season by those stock.
men who then foresaw an improve
ment in the livestock industry.
Two shipments made by Cascads
county and Judith Basin county grow
ers since the opening of the shipping
season, referred TO in a report from
Wood Brothers, Chicago livestock
commission merchants, serve to illus
trate the position of western range
beef on the Chicago market. Sixteen
steers shipped by N NJ. Silva Of Gey-
ser averaged l.410 pounds and were
sold at 1925. each animal bringing
the owner gross of more than $l3o-
Nineteen steers also shipped by Mr.
Silva averaged 1888 pounds and wers
sold at S8.75. Fifteen heifers averaged
1.107 pounds and were sold at $S.0e
Prices commanded by shipment ef
two year old steers from the Frank
Sheldon ranch, Belt, were the highest
paid this year for feeders of this ags.
There were 35 steers in the Shsldoa
shipment that averaged 99e pounds
and sold at ss.45.
The Sheldon and Silva shipments srs
included in the Wood report for the
week ended August 80, which reads:
THE receipts of western range cat
tie were little heavier this week, and
on Monday W had 5000 which w~s
the first heavy run Of range cattle
that we have had this season.
:'The market on the good fat steers
and also cows and heifers remains
steady, bur there was decline of
about Is to 20 cents on the half fat
cattle and anything that lacked quail
ty. There has been good eastern
demand for anything that is good
enough, and the packers buyers are
not getting enough good fat rangers
to supply their demands.
"The market on stockers and feed
ers is fully 80 per cent higher this
week. We sold 35 two year old steers
to the feeder buyers for Frank Shell
don Of Belt, Mont, that averaged 986,
at Ss.45. This is the highest price that
has been paid for two year old feeder
steers this season.
"The optimistic view that has come
to be taken in recent weeks toward
the livestock situation is fully justi-
fled by facts evident locally, accord
ing to Sam Stephenson, president of
the First National bank of Great
Falls and of the Montana Livestock
Finance corporation. Mr.. Stephenson
said Tuesday that there is abund-
ant evidence Of a decided upward trend
in livestock, the improvement in cat
tie being the more noteworthy because
Of their having shown the effects OF
the depression during longer period
at is possible" said Mr.. Stephen
son. ITO name numerous ranchers who
a year or two ago felt that their
wealth was materially reduced be
cause Of the slump in livestock, but
who this fall are realizing a substan-
tial profit from the marketing of their
lambs and cattle. Evidence of the in-
in cattle is available on ev-
cry hand. Cattle were among the last
Of agriculture to respond
10 the Improvement in general condi-
ions, but they are on the up-grsds
now
"The price of lambs is also holding
10 well,v Mr.. Stephenson continued
Earlier in the season the prediction
was heard that mutton was due for
slump, but the prices being realized
ire representative of good values
above the mark predicted
several months ago by those who thsn
ound no reason for encouragement
n the outlook.
The Montana Livestock Finance
is this week mailing out
o stockgrowers blanks for the listing
# information concerning sheep and
attIe available for sale throughout
he state. Information compiled IN
his way will be distributed with M
dea to advancing the best interests Of
he livestock industry, according to
lotaiton by Secretary A. T. Hibbsrd-
he furnishing of information of thia
,afure is undertaken by the sssscanr
ion az a permanent department. Ihe
ext list will be circulated september
5th