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Show MEAT PROSPECTS BRIGHTER, SAYS STATE ECONOMIST A definate increase in meat demand, de-mand, which should prove beneficial bene-ficial to cattle and hog growers, may be expected during the coming com-ing year, Dr. O. J. Wheatley," extension ex-tension economist at the USAC declared after his recent trip to the national outlook conference in Washington D. C. This forecast fore-cast is based on the improved industrial in-dustrial conditions and the possibility possi-bility of some export demand as seen by outlook specialists at the convention. Larger hog and somewhat smaller cattle supplies were forecast fore-cast by the specialists. Although the hog crop in 1939 is the largest since the drouth period, an increase in-crease in hog numbers is expected expect-ed in 1940 although the percent of increase probably will not be nearly as high as that of 1939. "The specialists, in general, are more optimistic over domestic business improvement aiding the livestock producer than any large export demand," the economist reports. Livestock statisticians look for the total calf and cattle slaughter to be smaller in 1940 than it was during the present year. Consequently cattle supplies sup-plies are not expected to be as plentiful as hog supplies. Large fat cattle, however, are in prospect pros-pect for the nert few months, expected to be as plentiful as hog supplies. Large fat cattle, however, how-ever, are in propsect for the next few months. Strong stocker demands exist in nearly all parts of the country and if weather conditions improve im-prove the crops and pastures in the Western Great Plains a substantial sub-stantial cattle replacement demand de-mand will develop in this area. Livestock men at the conference confer-ence agreed that cattle number will likely increase for several years unless unusually dry weather weath-er cuts feed supplies sharply. It is expected that there will be two million more cattle on farms and ranges on January 1, 1940 than there was on January 1, 1939. Because of the large supplies of cattle now on feed and the stronger stocker damen, prices o lower grades of cattle will likely oe relatively high during 1940 as compared to the prices of prime steers and better finished cattle. The informal opinion of many of those who attended the Washington Washing-ton conclave was that fat cattle prices would remain about steady during the balance of 1939 and through early 1940. Later in 1940 fat cattle prices will probably strengthen. Stocker cattle may possibly not share in this mild advance due to their current relatively re-latively high price level, Dr. wheatley concluded. |