Laurel outlook., 1946-10-16

went Dack 10 approximately Tine
levels prevailing last August when
congress enacted control legislation
after an interval of no control.
Highest beef price here Wednes-
day for over the counter meat was
60 cents for the best cuts, with
other grades considerably lower.
The average was thought to be from
So to So cents.
Retailers expect pork to be high
err than the August levels as live
hogs are now above the August
price. Markets and stores found
packing concerns reluctant to quote
pork prices Tuesday, the day con-
troll was removed, but a marked in
crease is expected. Pork has been
CONSPICUOUS by its absnce from Lau-
rel tables, the flow of this food
having been reduced to a trickle.
Dealers here seemed to think re-
moval of control would prove to be
best. in the long run. One said that
people all over the country arc
hungry for meat and that reports of
extraordinary prices paid in some
places are to be expected in the
first few days. He was of the
opinion that when the trade gets
into its usual stride of supply and
demand the competition among
packers and the shopping around of
consumers will bring the prices
down.
There are about $4,000 more
range cattle in Yellowstone county
this year than in 1912, an inquiry
at the office of T. A. Cothron,
county assessor, revealed. The
number of hogs is about the same
for the two years. Range cattle
are beef stock, though perhaps not
fattened, and the inquiry was made
OF determine whether there is a
shortage in this county in a stock
raising state.
In 1912 there we're 1888 range
cattle and 1878 swine. The follow
ing year, 1913, saw increases in the
numbers, cattle going to 38,057 head
and swine to 1891. Cattle again
increased in 1914, the figure be-
44,268, while swine decreas-
ed about 1000, dropping to 6,767.
The year again noted a cattle in
while swine went back to
1912, the figures being 46,552 cat
tie, a gain of about 1000 over the
previous year, and 1872 swine or
about a so per cent decline. For
1916 the figures almost duplicate
of 1915, the assessors figures
being 46,533 cattle and 1872 swine.
Geared into the meat situation
and control of slaughter by OPA is
the price of butter, which went to
an unheard of high before meat
price control was removed. 1t was
here Wednesday at around
)5 cents in the stores. Some deal
ers quoted higher and lower by a
cent or two, and it seems there are
.wO grades.
Butterfat prices at the Laurel
.reamery Wednesday were 80 cents
or sweet cream and 80 cents for
sour. For quite awhile the govern
nent paid a subsidy, but after the
was removed the butterfat
,rice jumped.
When shortening of all kinds be-
anne scarce, people began using but
er for cooking despite its price.
The scarcer the usual shortening
ats became the more was butter
.sed as a substitute, and the higher
he price went. Most shortening is
ard, and there was not much pork
r pork products being sold.
There seems to be a smaller than
sual amount of butter in the coun-
ry. Such dairy states as Wiscon-
in and Minnesota are said to be
reducing less than normal amounts,
nd more cream and milk is being
hipped for sale in eastern cities.
The combination of circumstances
as created the highest rpice for
that people in the dairy in
ustry recollect. The belief was en-
ressed that when lard is again
valuable in reasonable quantity the
rice of butter will go down.
Meanwhile meat alive or dressed
highly valuable property and but
II is a product to lock in a safe.