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Show 7 Livestoclc ....SituatioaJ ' I. os Angeles, California, May 10 A rci lection of the greatly increased industrial activity in southern California is gleaned from official reports of livestock slaughter under federal and state inspection services, just released hy the United States department of agriculture. Cattle slaughter in the Los Angeles area for the first three months of 1 i-J 1 was by far the largest on record for the period, the total of 138,9-15 cattle 4 being about 11,000 greater than in liMO. Calf slaughter also showed show-ed a substantial increase over a year ago. Fewer sheep and lambs ar.d fewer hogs were slaughtered, in line with smaller supplies over the country as a whole. However, the total pounds of meat consumed consum-ed in the Los Ancreles area was by far the greatest on record. It seems probable that as the defense program is carried through, there will be still further increase in southern California payrolls, particularly in the rapidly rapid-ly expanding aircraft industry. All of this means a broader Pacific Pa-cific coast market outlet for western produced meat animals. Already there are reports of a shortage of fluid milk in the southern California area. This may mean substantial reduction in the number of dairy cows maiketcd for beef purposes, and an increased demand for dairy animals for milking purposes. I Cattle prices have held firm jduiing the spring period although supplies coming to the market are shi wing some increase as the a! i nilant grass crops are being j maiketcd via the beef route. Members of the trade look for a continued broad demand in the I face of increased cattle supplies and see no immediate signs of any radical changes in the price struc-j struc-j tur.. Much depends, of course, upon the manner in which sup-; sup-; plies are moved to market during ( the next 30 to 40 days. Through , orderly marketing, a continued ! stable market seems in prospect. ; However, if feed conditions should ! take a turn which would cause I forced marketing, some tempo-: tempo-: rary weakness may result, it is admitted. However,' it' appears that there are ample feed supplies in the area from which the Los Angeles market draws cattle, thus making it possible for stockmen j to move cattle in an orderly manner. man-ner. With relatively high replacement re-placement costs in sight, it is doubtful if many young animals will go to market from California pastures and ranges. Owners will probably be inclined to hold the young stock over for another season. The hog market continues on a stable basis, with choice 180- to 200-pound grain-fed butehers selling sell-ing up to 10 a cwt. The lamb market has been weak during the past few days, due to pressure of receipts during the height of the early lamb marketing season. it |