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Show f LIVESTOCK SITUATION m t -as seen at the Los fit tqeles Union ftock Ijardi Los Angeles Union Stock Vaids. April 2(i Figures just released by the United States Department of Agriculture show that huge numbers num-bers of livestock are being slaughtered slaugh-tered in the United States in 'answer to the nation's call for greater amounts of meats. Official Of-ficial meat inspection figures by the department of agriculture show that cattle and hog slaughter far the first quarter of 1!)-13 were the second largest, and the sheep and lamb slaughter the largest on record. re-cord. It is difficult indeed to picture the reason for civilian meat shortages in view of these facts, especially it is generally recognized that many animals are being slaughtered outside of federal meat inspection, ami an alarming volume through the so-called so-called "black market" minus any health inspection whatsoever. March cattle slaughter at 922,-566 922,-566 head was the second largest for that month on record and the three months total at 2,703,978 head was only 6rA below the all-time all-time record of a year ago. Hog-slaughter Hog-slaughter in March totaled 4,661,-162, 4,661,-162, a gain of 13';; over a year ago, and the three months total was 4 larger than a year ago. Sheep and lamb slaughter in March totaled 1,495,078, 10 below be-low a year ago, but three months slaughter at 4,718,237 was largest larg-est on record and lr'r greater than the fiveiyc, w average, 1938-42. Livestock markets continue on a rather uneven basis as buyers attempt to purchase livestock at prices which will permit the sale of meats at O P A ceiling prices. The better grades of cattle ranged rang-ed from steady to 25c lower last week and common and medium grades declined as much as 25c to 50c a cwt. Strictly choice steers from New Mexico State college scored $17.25, last week's top at the Los Angeles Union Stock yards. Several loads of goorj quality fed steers brought $16 to $16.50 and common Mexicans sold on down to $13.50. Common and medium cows are selling mainly at $11 to $12, good grades up to $13 and better; canners and cutters $8 to $10.50. Bulls are going larp-ely at $11.25 to $13, native vealers $14.50 to $17 with common com-mon down to $13; slaughter calves $13.50 to $16.50. Stock calves went to country buyers at $15 to $16 and choice 443-pound stock heifers made $17 a cwt. Hog prices declined and are now-pretty now-pretty much in line with wholesale ceiling prices on pork. Towards the close of the week, the ton was $15.75 against $17 late in March, and the bulk of 200- to 300-pound hogs cleared at $15 to $15.75; sows mostly $14.50 to $15. Choice spring lanVbs scored $16 to $16.25, medium to good springers spring-ers $15 to $15.50. |