Montana farmer-stockman., 1948-04-15
Montana Markets
USDA ARK REPORT
BILLINGS, APRIL 2-8

creased SUPPLIES OF All GLASSES OF LIVESTOCK
were marketed locally as well as at the other
principal livestock markets in the country
this week compared witt one week earlier.
Thursday were estimated at LAO head, and
the calf count at ESQ head compared with
1,166 head of cattle, and 168 head of calves
for the same period last week.
The IL markets reported 134,3G0 head OF
cattle for four days, a gain of nearly $4,000
head over the same period last week. Salsble
calf numbers at those markets showed nearly
a 1000 gain this week adding up to 1890
generous at most of the markets in view of
the continued labor strike at many OF the
packing houses throughout the country.
Opening sales on most slaughter classes Of
cattle this week compared steady to weak
dearish from the start and succeeded in
lowering prices on all slaughter classes so
cents to as much as 81. Trading was mod
times it had a tendency TO drag. Slaughter
steers and yearlings comprised nearly. so per-
slaughter classes around rs percent, the bal
ance being stocker and feeder classes.
Practical Top s24.e5
The practical top or slanghteE steers this
steers. A few lots of steers purchased in the
country were delivered to the yards at a
loads of mostly good steers and yearlings
scored $685. to $24.5e. while most medium
and low good shortfeds ranged from s21.5o
Good fed heifers, sealing 300 to $50 pounds,
earned SZZ.5O to xZ4.Z5, the outside price
being paid for 90o-pound averages. A scat
tering of medium grade heifers cashed at $40
to s22, and a few head of common grade
steers and heifers turned at $3.50 to SIG. so.
Good beef cows in limited numbers cashed
at $40 to 500, early sales going upward to
S21.70 and better.
Common and medium cows bulked at SIT
to sl9.75, while most Gamers and cutters
found action at s13. so to SIG, shelly Gamers
bulls for the most part scored so to s22. so,
early sales going upward from s1s:5 so to s22.
ClaHnhf nlu and d1a Tnod0 q udru
limited showing at s19 to $3.50 for medium
AND FEEDERsLstockers and
feeders were offered in mostly odd lots dur
ing the week, however, one large conSlgn-
yearlings were yarded during the week for
a special stocker sale scheduled for Satur-
day, Strong to SO cents higher prices ruled
on stock cattle, stock calves showing as much
as 81 advance in some instances, while g
scattering of fleshy feeder steers moved al
weak to SO cents lower prices In sympathy
with lower trends on slaughter cattle.
Scattered sales on good and choice flesh,
yearling feeder steers were made at s21 so Il
s23. 10, most of these showing evidence o.
short feed periods Good and choice light
weight stock yearling steers moved back t,
choice feeding heifers earned SIG to s23. 81
medium and good stock heifers clearing a
good and choice stock steer calves bulkes
at s24 to $685. so, comparable grade heife
Of medium and good stock cows scored 81
to 1880, others moving at s145 TO SITS pc
head.
-HOGs-Salable hog receipts, estimated a
$50 head for four days this week, made
slight gain over last week, feeder pigs &C
counting for most of the increase. Price
on barrows and gifts declined rs cents froI
the start this week, and sold at a declin
except for a is cents gain on Wednesda,
Good and choice 1870 to 240 pounds butcher
predominated at s21 so, a few reaching s21.f
at the best time.
Comparable grade 24o to 30o-pound butcher
continued to sell at 81 to 50 discounts ft
weight, and averages 300 to 370 pounds at
to 81 discounts. Sows lost fully SO cents, od
head good and choice earning s14 to 81
Feeder pigs suffered SO cents to 81 price d.
clines, most good and choice 90 to 160-pour
averages moving at $40 to S21.35. the lattl
price being paid for a large lot of most
choice 93-pound weights.
SHEEP-Approximately 1900 head OF shet
were marketed through Thursday this wee
Scarcely any wooded slaughter lambs of his
enough quality were offered to test the ma
ket, most of the offering being feeder al
/ shearing lambs. The undertone was strol
| to higher on slaughter lambs throughout &
| week, late sales showing SO cents TO 81 q
| vance over last week.
On Monday, one part load OF mostly go
l 116-pound fed wooded slaughter lambs sc
l as high as $40. so, strictly good and choi
| wooded lambs scaling los pounds and dc,