Show the livestock situation there was a mild pickup pick up in cattle receipts this week over the beggarly small runs of the two preceding weeks but total offerings were till only slightly more than 50 of corresponding period a year ago increased numbers did not serve to relieve the acute scarcity C of meat that has developed since ince the reinstatement of price controls sept 1 there were continued reports of the closing of more packing plants and large numbers of retail meat markets throughout the country due to reduced slaughtering operations the only cheerful note in the sit lations was the apparent increased movement of cattle to feedlots feed lots no small part of the I 1 enlargement in cattle receipts at the leading primary markets represented stocker and feeder material some markets notably kansas city and omaha reported well over 50 of daily supplies finding feeder outlet the wide spread in ceiling prices between choice and commercial grades of cattle under the new OPA setup set up is tending to shun more of the latter grades into feeder channels therein is held out some hope for more adequate tonnage of beef GO CO to 00 90 days hence As far as beef steers stee r s were vere concerned offerings at the los an angeles yards as well as at other ce central markets were again very scarce A few loads of good steers found outlet in a range of 19 to 1975 and odd head cleared at 20 to the latter the overriding west coast ceiling feeder buyers were in active quest of fleshy steers paying up to 1775 and 18 for a few loads suited for a quick turn in the feedlot feed lot these sales represent new all time record prices for feeder cattle on this market the market on all steers displayed a firm tone with some sales quoted mildly higher than the previous week packers had to depend on cows and heifers heffers for much of their killer requirements the more useful kinds were in good demand at steady to strong prices but medium and common descriptions closed slow and weak particularly dairy bred kinds A few best heifers heffers sold at 1750 to 19 but bulk of heifers heffers were medium to good calibre suited to sell at 15 to 17 A few best cows brought 1450 to 1 15 zi bulk of medium to good sold at 1150 to 14 utility kinds mostly 10 to 11 cutters 9 to and canners mostly ys 8 to a few shells dropping to and under good heavy bulls 1350 to 1390 medium to good 12 to 13 common down to 11 and below calves were relatively firm with sales ales upward to 1810 hogs continued in meager offering and sales were largely at the 1720 ceiling sows bows included A few feeder pigs turned at 20 to 24 sheep and lambs were nominally steady with choice lambs quotable to 11 19 unchanged with a week earlier receipts were extremely light |