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Show frlVESTOCK SITUATION -oj seen at the . . cjeles Union itock IJards Los Angeles Union Stock yards, February 28. The continued upward up-ward swing in cattle population in the United States tends to focus attention of many western cattlemen upon the advisability of closely culling out herds during the present year. The United States cattle population as of January 1 was estimated by the department of agriculture at 74,-607,000 74,-607,000 against 67,575,000 for the ten years average on the same day, 1931-1940. The increase in Cattle numbers seems to be general throughout the country. In the eleven western states, the January 1 total is given as 12,-267,000 12,-267,000 against 11,208,000 for the ten year average. Many cattlemen feel that present pre-sent prices being paid at the central markets for cows, heifers and bulls warrant the practice of culling out herds of the less desirable de-sirable animals, thus realizing the most cash that has been possible for many years for such stock, and at the same time, cutting down the producing ability of our breeding herds. There is a keen demand at this time for almost anything that walks on four legs, a factor which may well serve to encourage cattlemen to realize cash on the portion of herds that are not producing efficiently. The government is calling for increased increas-ed meat supplies, ntt increased size of breeding units. Cows and heifers are now realizing re-alizing the highest prices paid at the Los Angeles Union Stock yards since 1928-29, and are just about at the peak figures of those years. Most of the range cows selling through beef channels are now selling at $8.25 to $9.75 and some meaty cows are bringing up to $10 a cwt. and better. As high as $10.50 a cwt. was paid for cows at this market in the early fall of 1928, this being the highest price ever paid for cows for slaughter purposes fSn the Los" Angeles market. Bulls are bringing the highest prices ever paid on this market, and the demand appears to continue con-tinue to be very broad due to the brisk demand for bologna meats. Most of the bulls now arriving at the Los Angeles market are selling sell-ing at $9.75 to $11 a cwt. and last week a few meaty Arizona range bulls sold at $11.25 a cwt. Very few thin bulls are selling under $8.25 a cwt. Canner and j cutter cows are Quoted at $6.50 to I $8. i The Los Angeles market on 100 J to 140 day fed steers, most cattle of this type grading medium to ! good, is attractive to feeders in 1 distant states as these cattle are , bringing $11,755 to $13 a owt. and some cattle carrying good covering but not choice made $13.25. Plainer steers are selling' at $10 to $11.50 a cwt. No strict-! ly good to choice steers are com-j ing to this market but are considered con-sidered quotable up to $13.00 and better. Hogs held steady during the pa.-i week lit ground 13.50 to l'.lo. Good and choice fat lambs are quoted at S12 to $12.25, plainer plain-er lambs and shorn lambs at ill). 50 to ill. 50. |
