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Show AjjCM'KTmj i ' A reduction of 20 percent in the number of stocker and feeder cattle going into the Corn Belt during the period from July to September as compared with a year ago is indicated indicat-ed by Department of Agriculture figures. The number was the second smallest for the period during the past twelve years. This reduced demand de-mand has caused more beef animal3 to move into meat distribution channels. chan-nels. This diversion into meet food channels chan-nels due to a slackened demand for feeding will have its effect upon our future beef supply and to see so many of these feeders going into beef channels at feeder prices, is not good for the industry as a whole. Another ccntributing cause is the fact that the Middle Western corn crop is smaller than normally, coupled with the fact in California has changed the alfalfa hay situation to quite an extent, due to the fact that the, northern San Joaquin Valley is cutting an extra crop of hay. However, alfalfa hay is likely to be fairly expensive due to the lack of early rains in the state and the need for hay and other feeds to carry stock through the dry period until green feed is available. There is a long felt want for more pork production in the West and Southwest. . Pork is a staple with a definite, demand and for the past several years at prices that are satisfactory satis-factory to those who go into the business busi-ness right This is the one big white spot in the livestock situation today, offering a splendid opportunity for profit and ready cash every day in the year. o that this class of feeders generally lost money last year on their feeding feed-ing operations. Some improvement in the corn crop was noted in recent weeks and market students believe that there may be some revival in demand for feeder cattle. California pastures are still dry and inquiry for stocker and feeder cattle continues light and may be expected to continue so until the rainy season starts. Money is still "tight" and it is hardly likely that there will be as many cattle wanted for California ranges as a year ago, although the lower price levels on feeders may cause some change in this situation. Los Angeles continues to expand in importance as a market for western west-ern live stock. Slaughter of beef cattle, calves, hogs and lambs in September was the greatest for that month on record in Los Angeles Co. and it is likely that the year's slaughter slaugh-ter will be the largest on record. Receipts Re-ceipts of cattle at the Los Angeles Union Stock Yards for October were the largest for that month on record. During the latter part of the month, cattle arrived on the market, from nine states California, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. Warm weather during the late fall |