606 Missouri Agriculhiral Report. 



$1.25 in the summer for grassers, although common cows and cut- 

 ters, which were scarce during the whole season, maintained the 

 highest level ever known, for this class. 



"In the final quarter beef steers fluctuated more than in the 

 forepart of the year, having reached the extreme high level in 

 September there were gradual declines until the end of the year, 

 with occasional reactions for a few days. Butcher grades closed 

 strong to higher in the final quarter and from $1 to $2 higher than 

 a year ago. Cows and heifers are growing scarcer all the time, 

 owing to the fact that a good many are being held back for breed- 

 ing purposes. Calves closed at the high level of the year and from 

 $2 to $3 higher than last year. The abnormal high prices are 

 maintained through scarcity for the same reason that cows and 

 heifers are held back — to replenish the pastures and feed lots. 



"The stocker and feeder trade generally followed the course 

 of the beef trade and reacted with it. As a whole prices were on 

 the highest level ever known, still feeders generally made money in 

 handling them. 



"Top prices in beef steers ranged from $7.90 in January to 

 $10.90 in September, with a few Christmas steers in December at 

 $11.10. The prize winners at the American Royal show in October 

 sold up to $12.40, the highest prices ever paid on the Kansas City 

 market from one year's end to the other. The high price paid for 

 heifers was $9.25 and for mixed yearling steers and heifers $9.65. 

 Yearling steers ranged up to $10. Top prices of feeders ranged 

 from $6.60 to $8.25, and stockers from $6.10 to $8." 



HOGS. 



Hog receipts at the National Stock Yards, St. Louis, for the 

 year 1912, totaled 2,529,897 head. During the year 1911, when 

 a new record was made at these yards, 3,123,000 hogs were received. 

 Kansas City received 2,523,331 hogs in 1912 and 3,167,816 in 

 1911; St. Joseph, 1,969,933 in 1912 and 1,921,535 in 1911. 



The Daily National Live Stock Reporter, in reviewing the 1912 

 hog market said: 



"January saw tops going at $6.40 to $6.50 and the bulk from 

 $6.00 to $6.25 and this was the low period of the year, as in Febru- 

 ary prices ranged 10 to 15 cents higher and other months still 

 higher. The high point was reached early in October when the top 

 went up to $9.32 i/o and the bulk went at $8.85 to $9.20. From this 

 time to the close of the year there was a gradual decline." 



