Show FARM g K BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR BEEF CATTLE Prepared Pr r 1 by ky the tho h United State Statu S f Deper Department Dt ir of C Agriculture Higher prices for beef beet cattle are ore In prospect within the next 18 months for tor both the feeders and ond range pro pro- producers producers producers according to the report on the outlook for tor beet beef cattle made by the Department of ot Agriculture An up- up upward upward up upward ward trend Is probable over the next two or three years yeara the department says The numbers of or breeding stock ot of cattle cattIe on feed teed and of ot young oun oung stock seem to be materially lower than for several years so that reduction In the market movement Is expected While no considerable reduction In Inthe inthe Inthe the number of ot stock held by range men was made for tor some time after the break of ot 1920 1020 the number of ot steers has been reduced during the last three or four tour years ears accompanied by a less rapid reduction In the number of or cows The Increasing number of ot cows and heifers now being slaughtered indicates Indi Indi- Indicates Indicates cates further reductions In breeding stock tock still being made It doe does not appear therefore that the number Dumber or of cows Is sufficient to long maintain the present high rate of ot slaughter the re- re report report re report port shows All Indications are arc for smaller sup sup- supplies supplies supplies plies of ot cattle on the markets durIng the next few tew months also the depart depart- dep department department rt- rt ment states The TLe movement of ot all rattle so far during 1 1920 1026 20 has been less than for tor the same sace periods last year and the best Information from the range states Indicates a considerably I lighter run of ot grass cattle during the next three months than a year ago In the Southwest South there are lighter supplies s of ot cattle available than a year ago As the lOa calf calt crop was good I the number of or calves to be offered o from the Southwest tills this fall will com corn compare compare I pare favorably ta with the past three years however Good range condl- condl conditions I dons and an Improved ed situation have placed the Southwestern South cattlemen In Ina ina Ina a position so they would not be forced to sell on an unfavorable market I IThe The number of ot cattle In certain areas of ot the northern Great Plains rev re- regIon re region gion glon which have recently suffered from drought has hag been so reduced ale al- already I al-I ready that light movement may be expected ex- ex expected ex expected next year ear the report states and there Is a possibility of ot the cat cattlemen In that area becoming active buyers buers with changing conditions The full extent of ot the reductions which have taken place should be Apparent a by the autumn of ot l 1927 and by that time Improved conditions might prompt restocking of ot the ranges which would still further reduce market sup sup- supplies supplies plies No competition from foreign sup sup- supplies supplies plies of ot beef beet or cattle which would affect the situation are arc seen sten Present Indications are that consumptive de- de demand de demand mand for tor beef beet during the next 12 months will continue good although no better and possibly somewhat be be- below below low that of ot the past year Increasing competition from hogs especially dur dun durIng during ing lag 1 1927 27 will also have ha some influence on beef beet prices The situation In regard to the probable probable probable able demand for tor feeder cattle this fall fallis Is uncertain The margin between the present price of ot fed ted cattle and feeder cattle Is exceptionally narrow and the present prospects are for a corn Orn crop considerably smaller than last year but there will be a heavy over carry or of orold old corn and the number of ot hogs bogs Is still low Prospects for tor a fair supply of ot corn only a slight Increase In the number ot of hogs to be fed ted and a decrease In cattle available for tor feeding will tend to maintain the price of ot feeders on a level slightly higher than that which prevailed In the fall tall of ot 1925 accord accord- accordI accordIng according I ing lag to the report weight Lighter cat cattle I Itie tie tle In the feedlots will enable feeders to distribute market supplies over a longer period and Dd In accordance with the movement of ot prices Together with the reduced supplies this may result In n hl higher her prices of ot fed ted cattle during the winter and spring of ot 1927 than a year ear earlier Heavy fed cattle will top the market next year If It feed teed feeders feeders ers erg swing too heavily to light cattle this fall tall and winter On the fall tall or of orl l 1927 1 range range- cattle prices probably will show a marked effect of ot the Impend impend- Impending ing lag shortage and average higher than for tor several years past |