The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-04-23
GRAIN Market
TRADING IS
HESITANT

| Although hesitant action character.
lied grain markets during the week
ended April 16, tone and general trade
sentiment veered toward the firm
side, according to the Department of
Agriculture. Wheat finished the week
| " to 1c up after showing alternate
periods of strength and ease. Trad
ers were inclined to await further de-
velopments along general price fixing
showing sizeable downward reaction
from the weeks high all showed net
advances. The higher ceiling prices
established for corn and a continued
active demand for everything in the
feed line were strengthening influ-
ences. Flax prices were also mainly
on the uptrend as crusher demand
continued active and crushing opera
lions proceeded at capacity.
WHEAT: Growth of winter wheat
was decidedly variable during the
week. In southeastern portions of
the belt beneficial rains largely offset
previously unfavorable conditions but
in other sections considerable insect
damage was reported. In some north
ern localities there was rather extern
sive flood damage while in the east
no material change occurred Soak
ing rains relieved the dry condition
of the soil in Kansas and Nebraska.
Rains also improved the crop in Texas
while progress was good in Oklahoma.
Spring wheat seeding became more
general although recently flooded
areas in North Dakota and Minnesota
and many other lowlands were too
wet to work. Moisture is generally
adequate for termination. In the
earlier districts of the Pacific North
west spring seeding has been pract-
ically completed.
Weather in Europe has been favor
able for all crops and spring seeding
is reported advancing satisfactorily.
Prospects for fall sown crops are very
favorable and spring planting has
made rapid progress with seed beds
in excellent condition. In Russia the |
has favored field work The |
bulk of the new grain area is in pre-
viously uncultivated eastern sections |
Flowing and early wheat seeding |
made good progress in northern areas |
Of Argentina where soil conditions |
are much improved. SURPRISES of |
wheat in Argentina were officially
estimated April 10, at about 100000.
300 bushels, corn 141, 100000, and flax
seed 116,000,000 bushels Fuel scar
city continues critical and government
was reported accommodating linseed
cake for emergency fuel reserve and
storing linseed oil for winter use as
'uel. In Australia wheat seeding was
progressing with moisture supplies
airly satisfactory.
CASH WHEAT: Premiums on cash
wheat, like the action of the futures,
showed alternate periods of easiness
ind strength. Liberal receipts the
ore part of the week coupled with
,nly a fair mill demand eased premi-
inns 1ac to 1c at that time but toward
he close much smaller offerings
ended to firm the situation again
~ bhC NiCOt tuC u duluS DdSlS WAS
bout the same as prevailed a week
go. Ordinary protein No. 1 dark
lorthern was quoted within a range
# 1c to &c over the Minneapolis May
rice, which advanced nc, net for
he week, and closed Friday, April
6, at $1.35 a. Thirteen per cent pro-
Elm wheat brought no additional pre-
mum but 14a6 protein was quotable
t nc to &c over the ordinary; 15%
rotein, &c to a nc over the ordinary;
nd 1870 protein, &c to 91ac over the
Wheat from western North
,akota and Montana in the higher
rotein brackets brought 1c over
hese ranges. Receipts at Minneapo-
s of all classes of wheat amounted
} 1872 cars during the week and the
indicated ZIG of these
rere winter wheat and 312 cars of
urum. The average protein content
the hard red spring wheat tested
uring the week was 1867 and the
lIrum 122o&