The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1925-12-18
RANGE CATTLE
PRICES Higher
THAN In 1924

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was voiced by some cattle growers
that their offerings were returning
little above costs Of production and
marketing which have increased sub
stantially in recent years, the fact
remains, nevertheless, that prices in
a general way during the past season
were appreciably higher than those
prevailing a year ago, and the demand
both for killing material and for
st0ckers and feeders was sufficiently
broad at all times to absorb the Of
ferings, thus avoiding market gluts.
Range areas from which South st.
Paul draws its supplies include the
state of Montana, Canada and the
|'west-river" country Of the DakOtas.
No records are kept Of the exact num-
bers of range cattle marketed here,
but during the months of July to
October inclusive, and during the first
part of November, the bulk of the
cattle marketed are Of range origin.
From the first Of July until NOvem-
Der Is this year a total Of 524,889
cattle, exclusive of calves, arrived at
South st. Paul or an increase Of $40
over a year ago. Most OF this in
e in general cattle receipts was
accounted for by gains made in the
range movement.
No Price Extremes
The past season failed to disclose ,
any outstanding "high" or Glow"
price periods. Usually during such a
movement some bad gluts occur when
prices recede to a relatively low level,
while at other times when stock is in
big demand there may be a shortened
furry that carries values to artifi-
cially high levels, but such conditions
have been practically absent the past
season, with the general tendency Of
values to show mild hardening as the
season progressed.
Comparisons between prices pre-
vailing this year and a year ago have
been made and heard frequently the
past few months in the cattle alleys,
and in a general way it may be stated
that values this season ruled on the
average from SOC to $1.50 per cwt.
above those of 1924. Gamer and cut
ter cows as a rule show the minimum
upturn while the price gains have been
most marked on fat and feeder steers.
While $500 was practically the
limit on fat steers to killers during
the 1924 season, sales this year have
been fairly numerous between $500
and $1,000, with several loads Of
1900 to 400 pound steers from Mon
tana upward to $1,000 and $1O.75. In
a general way the bulk Of the grass
fat steers cleared from $500 to SITS.
Best heifers from the range areas
this year were half a hundred spayed
offerings that sold at $500 while
heavy cows sold upward to $500.
Most Of the COWS have brought from
$3.50 to $500, with the majority of
the heifers from $3.50 to $500, can
ners and cutters from $2.75 to $3.50,
Demand For Feeders
One influence that has brought
about a fairly healthy undertOne most
of the time in the market for range
cattle has been the broad demand or
the part Of cornbelt and eastern buy.
ers on this market for stOckers and
feeders. While other leading cattle
markets have been showing substan-
tiaI decreases in the Outgo Of stOcker'
and feeders, this market has register
ed substantial gains, the outgO o.
stOckers and feeders from South st
Paul from July 1 to November Is
totaling 9 0,599. The increase in out
go over a year ago was about 33,00l
head or about 21% against an increasl
of $40 in cattle receipts, indicating
that a greater proportion Of the rUl
has been in killer flesh than a yea,
ago.
While prices of feeders as a rul
have not shown as great avarag
gains over a year ago as have ia
cattle, comparatively few feeders sol
over $500 last fall while there ha
been a considerable amount Of bust
ness this year between $3.50 and $500
several shipments Of fleshy feeder
selling between $500 and $8.75,
few upward to around $500, som
exceptionally well bred Dakotas max
ing $3.50. The general bulk Of stock
er and feeder steers have sold betwee
$5.25 and $3.50.
More Steers Sold
Leading members Of the trade AZ
Of the opinion that a greater pro
portion Of steers was noted this yes
than last with a corresponding d
crease in the percentage Of she stocI
Another noteworthy feature has bee
the smaller percentage Of lightweigl
stocker types present in spite Of z
fact chat this years run was far
excess Of that Of a year ago. The.
two facts would seem to indicate LEI
stringent financial conditions ia q
range areas and also a tendency
hold back hreadinr stock and 81