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Show fiUivestockJ Los Angeles, March 16 A note of optimism has been brought into the entire livestock situation as a result of substantial and sustained advances in market prices of cattle, hogs anil sheep. The advance got under way late in February and at this time, cattle prices are fully a cent a pound higher than during the early part of February, representing an increase of fully 15 to 20 per cent in steer values on the Los Angeles market. Hog prices also have reacted favorably, fav-orably, with, prices sharply higher than the low levels earlier in the year, and there has been substantial improvement in the fat lamb market. Were the situation entirely confined to the Pacific ,Coast markets, the trade might well construe the upward trend as a result of a shortage of supplies in western states. However, Missouri River and eastern markets also have worked to higher levels, indicating in-dicating a period of short supplies the country over. Livestock prices have been relatively rela-tively lower than many other commodity com-modity values and it has seemed evident evi-dent for some time that some upward revision in values was in order. Close students of the trade are optimistic that the price cycle has definitely deserted de-serted the low levels which marked the bottom of. a two year's declining market, and many believe that further furth-er conservative improvement in prices pric-es may be anticipated. It is certain, judging from all private pri-vate reports, that there is likely to be a shortage of cattle and sheep supplies sup-plies in California and other western states. Feed conditions have not been satisfactory, and the cold winter has undoubtedly caused heavy losses in flocks. It is believed that the California Cali-fornia lamb supply, particularly the important early lamb movement, will be considerably smaller than last year's record figures. Inability to obtain adequate financing financ-ing through the usual channels, coupled coup-led with shortage of feed and general gener-al uncertainty, has depleted cattle supplies in California, and the same condition has been true to even a greater extent in the Intermountain country. California grass cattle are expected to move to market at least 30 days . later than normally, and heavy rains and a generous water supply probably will make it possible for cattlemen to spread out their marketing period over a longer time than usual. This should aid in stabilizing stabil-izing and maintaining values. Hog prices have been relatively lower than prices paid for cattle and lambs. Despite bearish government estimates of a greatly increased hog supply, many students of the trade are inclined to believe that hog marketing mark-eting this year may be smaller than normal. The cold spell in the middle west during the March farrowing season no doubt will reduce lh,e Corn Belt's spring pig crop from previous estimates. |
