410 Missouri Ayricull iiral Report. 



and experiment stations are concerned, but the agricultural press, the 

 various State and National agricultural organizations, and particularly 

 the progressive farmers themselves. 



LIVE STOCK MARKETS OF YEAR 1910. 



(Compiled from Market Papers and Reports to Board of Agriculture.) 



Missouri farmers realized high prices for live stock sold during the • 

 year 1910, a great shortage serving as a spur and stimulus to the market. 



According to reports made to the Missouri State Board of Agricul- 

 ture on April 1st, there were but 48 per cent of the usual number 

 of cattle then on feed on Missouri farms, while the percentage of hogs 

 then on feed, as compared with an average year, was 37.9 per cent. The 

 number of brood sows was placed at 64.5 per cent. 



"Beef steer values the first few months of the past year were held 

 at a comparatively high level, l)ut the following months witnessed the 

 real general summit of the trade," says the Daily National Live Stock 

 Reporter. "During the first nine months the best prices were realized, 

 the average top for the time making $7.88, while the average bulk of sales 

 scored $5.78 to $7.43. The year throughout made the best showing in 

 prices ever recorded on this market. Notwithstanding the sharp break 

 in price levels, the last forty to sixty days values during 1910 were 

 considerably above 1909, which was the previous best year's average. 

 The average top last year was $7.73, while the bulk was at $5.62 to $7.24. 

 During the late winter and early spring months of 1910, the shortage in 

 the beef steer crop was stimulus of the higher prices. Thus feeders 

 looked upon the situation most favorably and were refilling their feed lots 

 with thin stuff right along. With the summer months rolling around, 

 the supply of beeves was materially increased; this notwithstanding the 

 fact that it was mostly sixty cent corn that they were being fed. Even 

 with the increased supply, the market still held its high tone through the 

 reason that general demand of buyers was keeping pace with the supply. 

 Not until about the middle of October was there any marked change in 

 values. Feeders then commenced to liquidate their holding and with the 

 heavy supplies the market fell from its lofty state. With a continuance 

 of the declining markets feeders rushed their beeves to market in an 

 alarming state until they had forced the lowest level of the entire year 

 during the latter half of November and the fore part of December." 



The liighest priced load of cattle sold at the National Stock Yards, 

 East St. Louis, during the year 1910 were Missouri steers. This load, 



