Colorado Potatoes Moving In respect to potato culture, Colorado may be divided into seven districts according to climatic conditions, geographical location, and soils. First, the Greeley district, which includes northeastern Colorado with Greeley as a center; second,_ the Divide district, comprising Douglas, Elbert, and El Paso Counties; third, the northwestern district, consisting of Moffat and Routt Counties; fourth, the southwestern district, including Montezuma and La Plata Counties; fifth, the San Luis Valley; sixth, the intermountain district, including the valleys and mesas of Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties; and seventh, the Western Slope district, comprising Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Counties. Certain varieties are particularly well adapted to each section. In the Greeley district the two standard varieties are the Pearl and the Rural. The Divide district comprises what is known as the rain belt of the eastern slope, and here are found such early maturing varieties as the Early Ohio, the Chicago Market, and Six Weeks. The northwestern district is characterized by a short growing season, due to its high elevation and cool nights, and here the Russet Burbank, Rural, and Early Ohio predominate. The southwestern district, which takes in the irrigated sections of Montezuma and La Plata Counties, grows principally the Russet Burbank, Rural, and Early Ohio. The San Luis Valley is one of the largest potato-growing sections in the State. The Brown Beauty, Russet Burbank, People's Russet, and the Rural are grown there with success. The Western Slope district, consisting of the valleys of the Grand, Gunnison, and Uncompahgre Rivers, together with the irrigated mesas adjoining, grows a larger number of different varieties with more success than any of the other districts. This section is divided by the time and duration of the shipping season and by the varieties grown into three sections. As will be noted, there is an overlapping of what is now considered western Colorado into the former intermountain district. The Fruita section is the earliest of the three, growing practically all Cobblers. Shipments from this section usually start the second week in July and last through August. The Delta-Montrose section, which includes Olathe, is the largest shipping area in the district and begins its shipments about the middle of August, continuing throughout the year. The Carbondale-Eagle section, including the two principal potato-growing counties of the former intermountain district, does not ordinarily start to ship until the middle of October. Considerable stock in this section is stored and shipped during the winter and spring months. To emphasize the relative importance of various shipping points in these three sections, the following table, showing 1923 shipments by loading points, has been submitted by the FederalState market news representative at Grand Junction: Cars With the that are ordinarily cleaned up are still shipping. Outlets for western Colorado potatoes are principally in the Southwest. Destinations of last season's shipments indicate that Colorado was the heaviest receiving State, with Oklahoma second, followed by Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and New Mexico. Oklahoma, one of the chief consumers of People's Russets, took but 16 cars to August 30 this year. A survey of destinations shows that 94 towns in 10 States received Western Colorado Cobblers and People's Russets from August 1 to 30 this season. Colorado was the heaviest receiving State, with 258 cars; Texas came second with 111 cars, and New Mexico third with 36 cars. Total potato shipments from Colorado during the period August 1 to 30 were 560 cars. Hood River-White Salmon Apple Prospects Good The Hood River district of Oregon and the White Salmon district of Washington, usually considered as one, seem to have been more fortunate than any other apple section of the Northwest this season. Very little damage was caused by the frost in April, nor has the unusually dry season reduced the yield, as most of the orchards are irrigated. Local factors predict that carlot movement will be approximately the same as last year, although some are of the opinion that smaller sizes will reduce somewhat the early estimates. However, the crop as a whole is in good condition. The Federal market news representative at Spokane states that the harvesting season is about 10 days earlier than last year, and Jonathans were starting to move in a small way around September 10. Gravensteins were practically out of the way, and movement of this variety totals less than last season. Winter Bananas were being shipped by mid-September and were expected to be completely moved within a short time. Quality of all varieties seems to be exceptionally good this year, and shippers believe that most fruit will pack out at least 60% Extra Fancy grade, and that "C" grede stock will run 10% or less. The size, as compared with last season, is smaller, and stock is expected to run heavy to medium sizes. Some trouble may be had in filling early orders, as a larger size had been anticipated. Many worms developed during the latter part of August and early September, and damage from that source may be heavier than last season when the crop was unusually clean. Yellow Newtowns, Spitzenbergs, and Ortleys are the leading varieties, although numerous others are found in the district. Yellow varieties probably will make up 65% of the total crop. Shippers were rather optimistic over the outlook in midSeptember, since there seemed to be a good demand from both domestic and export trade, with prices higher than at the same time during either of the past two seasons. A number of early contract sales were made, and some export business has already been transacted. Sales this season have been in much 388 larger volume than during the same period last year, and shippers also anticipate a heavier export business to Germany this season. 1,072 660 By September 1 the Fruita section was practically through shipping. The principal variety grown in that district is the Irish Cobbler. Shipments of Cobblers last season totaled 495 cars, and the estimated movement this year is slightly heavier. On August 7 Cobblers sold in the Fruita section at $1.10 per 100 pounds in wagonload lots, compared with $1.25$1.50, mostly $1.25, at the same date last season. Under a slow demand from southwestern points and the competition offered the latter part of the month by the Delta-Montrose section, the price declined steadily until 80¢ was reached on August 25. Generally speaking, the shipping season has been from ten days to two weeks later than in a normal year. Districts The crop is expected to move out in an orderly manner, with heavy shipments during October and November. The labor supply seems to be sufficient to handle the crop, and no transportation difficulties are anticipated. During the first week of September, Extra Fancy grade Spitzenbergs and Ortleys sold mostly at $1.75 per box for stock running 163's and larger, while very few sales were reported on Newtowns. A few Fancy grade Newtowns were sold at $1.40. September 1 forecast for the commercial apple crop in Oregon is 4,203,000 boxes, or approximately 5,600 cars, as compared with 5,250,000 boxes, or 7,000 cars last year. Production was cut in southern and eastern Oregon by the April frost, and unusually dry weather reduced tonnage in the irrigated districts. Total carlot movement for the State last year was approximately 6,500 cars, not including stock that may have been trucked to nearby markets for local sale. Dairy and Poultry Butter Markets Weaken The butter markets during the week ending September 20 were marked by conditions of weakness which at times became so pronounced as to almost bring about demoralization. There was a general lack of support from the buying interests and the lack of confidence among receivers was more noticeable than during any previous period of the season. The lack of confidence was augmented by continued heavy production. Receipts on all the markets are gradually decreasing, although still much heavier than last year and large enough to cause some congestion on the markets. The report of the American Creamery Butter Manufacturers' Association for the week ending September 13 shows a decrease in the make of the plants reporting of 2.23% under the previous week and an increase over last year of 18.6%. The Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Association report, however, showed an increase over the previous week of 2.71%. Reports from individual creameries confirmed rather than contradicted this trent of production. Receivers on the markets also reported receipts from regular shippers as being heavy for the season of the year' and in some instances were showing an increase over the previous week. The storage report released last week showed total U. S. holdings on September 1 as 156,232,000 pounds. It is generally conceded that the bulk of these holdings are high-cost butter, but in spite of this fact some butter was withdrawn from storage in the four markets. This indicates that whenever costs can be approximated there may be an inclination to reduce storage stocks. The present rate at which butter is being withdrawn is only about one-third of the rate of outgo last year. Thus, even with a daily decrease in holdings, the surplus over last year is increasing. Some rumors were current during the week that there was a possibility of exporting butter at the present level of prices, but it was difficult to get any real definite information on the subject. Danish markets were firmer with a slight advance over last week which caused some grounds for these export rumors, as this would permit laying American butter in England without further price reduction at a cost of about 39 to 394, which is below the delivered cost of Danish. However, English markets prefer the Danish and Canadian butter on account of its uniformly fine quality and style of package. Canadian dealers would be the keenest competitors of domestic exporters in selling butter to England, and with Canadian markets from 1 to 2 below our domestic markets it only seems logical that Canadian butter will move into England before any volume of export business can be expected from the United States at our present level of prices. Buying Demand in Country Keeps Cheese Markets Firm A steady active demand at country points continued to lend considerable support to cheese markets during the week ending September 20 and at the close all markets appeared to be in healthy condition. Trading hardly approached the volume in Wisconsin which had been reached the previous week, but on the whole the week's business was quite satisfactory. From reports which were available this seemed to apply to some other types as well as American cheese, particularly brick. The result of the week's movement was that stocks of current make cheese were kept pretty closely cleaned up, with almost a shortage of Longhorns. Toward the close of the week there was a noticeable falling off in demand in distributing markets. Reports from producing sections informed that weather conditions had been favorable from the standpoint of both quality and quantity production. Arrivals at distributing markets also confirmed this. Despite good September quality however, the demand for September cheese from storing interests in such markets as Boston has not been up to expectations. As a matter of fact, Boston and even New York City have not fully shared in the feeling which has typified primary markets, probably because there has been increased buying direct from country points, with the result that offering prices to distributing market dealers have been relatively high. Quite a bit of trading in such markets has been short-held cheese at prices lower than current replacement costs, this being possible because of advances since these goods were put away. Under 201 such a condition, the firmness on these markets is more the result of continued firm advices from primary markets than actual active local demand. Distributing market dealers expect the demand for September cheese to open up shortly and this also has been an element of support. Production in New York State has not held up for the season like that of Wisconsin because of other outlets for milk. For this reason some distributors who later on supply trade which calls for New York cheese have been unable to get the full quota of their anticipated requirements. Fluid-milk markets have been absorbing such quantities of milk as to leave no materially large surplus for cheese manufacture. Grain Grain Market Unsettled and Nervous The grain market was unsettled and fluctuated irregularly during the week, September 15-20. Corn declined sharply as the season advanced without serious frost damage. Wheat was lower at first in sympathy with corn and on the report of the Manitoba Free Press giving the total Canadian crop as 321,000,000 bushels, but rallied and closed only fractionally lower than last week. Export business continued good although slightly less active than last week and domestic demand continued active while the pressure of the new crop movement decreased. Eighty-five vessels were chartered in the grain trade this week and ocean freight rates on grain have advanced on account of the demand for ships. Cash wheat was wanted and cash prices gained upon futures. Although the choice qualities showed the most improvement at Minneapolis the ordinary grades were up also. Rains in the northwest interrupted threshing and hindered the movement of grain to market while still further retarding the late movement of the Canadian crop. Mills competed actively for the choice high protein offerings. Bushels Bushels Bushels Bushels Bushels Primary receipts... 18, 990, 000 20, 582, 000 4, 694, 000 11, 486, 000 16, 308, 000 Primary receipts last year.. 5, 380, 000 4, 461,000 6, 001,000 6, 488, 000 2,797, 000 2,539, 000 3,739,000 4,791,000 2,739, 000 3, 106, 000 3,825,000 4,632, 000 5,000,000 4, 869, 000 38, 198, 003 29, 713, 000 2,340,000 1,689, 000 15, 866, 000 15, 196, 000 Cars Cars 1, 370 1,319 149 143 Receipts at Chicago.. Minneapolis.. 2, 112 1,802 Bushels 4, 947, 000 11, 476, 000 11, 490,000 Primary shipments.[13, 735, 000 13, 234, 000 Primary shipments last year. 5,700,000 7,992,000 Visible supply.. 80,819,000 76, 939, 000 Visible supply last year.. 63, 202, 000 59, 559,000 Cars 1,557 Cars Cars Cars 2,587 2,992 4, 108 1, 260 1,282 Duluth. 409 St. Louis. Kansas City 1745 76 35 23 Spring wheat was scarce at Chicago and was readily taken by mills and shippers. Country-run grain arriving at this market was in better demand. Hard winter wheat which formerly was graded as sample on account of excessive moisture was drying out nicely and sold readily at better prices. The reduced offerings were readily absorbed at Kansas City. Southwestern mills were operating at full capacity with fair domestic trade and broad foreign demand. Mills continued to purchase wheat although carrying stock up to storage capacity so that buying was limited to current replacements. Northwestern mills continued to take high protein winter wheat. Active export demand from the Gulf practically cut off the flow of ordinary wheat into Kansas City, the arrivals being largely high protein wheat. Demand continued fair at Wichita with mills taking choice milling wheat. Soft winter wheat was unchanged to 2é higher at St. Louis with light receipts. Export inquiry was lighter at Toledo with domestic trade holding up well. Mills took only an occasional car at Cincinnati and elevators absorbed most of the offerings. Durum wheat continued in excellent demand and No. 1 amber sold 26-9é over the Duluth October, which closed Friday at $1.2814. Traders had been cautious with corn at last week's levels and as serious frost damage failed to develop the futures market lacked support and a wave of selling uncovered stoploss orders and prices declined from a high of $1.141⁄2 to a low point of $1.0534 for Chicago December, but rallied and closed at $1.07. The corn crop, especially in the Corn Belt, is even more backward than it was a month ago, according to the Department's September 15 Crop Notes. It now seems practically certain that much of the crop will not mature before killing frosts. Growth has been greatly checked by cool weather and a lack of sunshine and a large part of the crop needs 3-8 weeks of warm weather to mature grain. Cash corn was in excellent demand and prices did not suffer the full decline of futures. Inquiries fell off with the sag in future prices but strengthened at the close of the week. Feeding demand continued light with the movement mainly to industries. Calls from the southwest were restricted on account of price and the movement from Omaha was mainly to Iowa where it was absorbed by industries. White corn was wanted at Kansas City and St. Louis at 16-2é premiums over yellow. Offerings were more liberal at Kansas City and moved chiefly to the Central States as the local feeding demand was sluggish. Oats futures declined in sympathy with corn then rallied and closed 1-12 lower than last week. The Canadian crop is smaller than last year's and a report estimating the German crop as 281,000,000 bushels against 413,000,000 bushels last year was a strengthening factor. Receipts at primary markets fell off, 11,486,000 bushels against 16,308,000 bushels for the preceding week, and the movement of oats seemed to have passed its peak. Farmers continued to hold oats for feed pending the outcome of the corn crop. Demand for cash oats continued active. The oat demand was small at Kansas City but arrivals were light. Oats were moving from Kansas City to Texas on account of the price of corn. Cash prices at Minneapolis were firm throughout the week with a fair export business and local grinders and shippers in the market. Most of the arrivals at Chicago graded No. 3 and lower and there was less demand for these grades early in the week. Good oats were in excellent demand. The market was firm at Cincinnati where daily receipts were far below requirements. The rye market displayed independent strength and declined very little in the mid-week sag. Exports July 1 to September 20 were 8,077,000 bushels against 6,893,000 for this period last year. Milling demand was steady and export business continued good with Great Britain and Norway the heaviest buyers. Shipments overbalanced arrivals at Minneapolis and Minneapolis elevator stocks decreased 760,000 bushels for the week. No. 1 and 2 rye at Minneapolis sold at 14¢-24¢ over Minneapolis December, which closed Friday at 964, an advance of 31⁄2¢ for the week. Supplics were readily absorbed at Milwaukee and Chicago with the quality variable at Milwaukee on account of the wet season. The barley market continued practically steady. Arrivals were liberal but shipments were heavy. Malteters were accumulating stocks and export trade was active. European supplies of good malting barley are reported short. The Winnipeg Free Press report was bullish on barley and confirmed heavy losses by frost in Canada both as to yield and grades. The Northern Hemisphere crop is about 5% less than last year judging from estimates received from 24 countries producing nearly 75% of the 1923 crop. Minneapolis September barley closed Friday at 83%é, a gain of about 1e for the week, and the market was 16-2e higher at Milwaukee. Offerings were readily absorbed at Minneapolis except Monday, when the receipts were heavy and prices sagged. Prices gained during the week and on Friday the cash range was 72-836 against 70-83¢ the preceding week. The quality of arrivals improved at Chicago and malting and feeding barley were in good demand. Good export and domestic business was reported from Milwaukee with the bulk of supplies coming from the Dakotas and an increasing movement from Wisconsin. The flax market was mainly firm during the week. September flax declined 54, closing at $2.26. Receipts were readily taken with No. 1 seed selling at the September price to 2é over. While arrivals have been fairly liberal the heavy movement is still to come as the crop this year was late and harvest was delayed. No material decline in prices is expected on account of the large crop, and Minneapolis October closed Friday at $2.234, 234 under September. Shortage of Water for Irrigation developed about the middle of August in Lower California and has proved to be very serious for the cotton crop, states a report from Consul H. C. Von Struve in Mexicali, Mexico. As the shortage will continue until heavy rainfall occurs in the watershed of the Colorado River, its duration cannot be foreseen. Grain Prices Daily weighted price per bushel of reported cash sales at stated markets week of September 13-19, 1924, with comparisons of Hay Hay Market Easier The hay market again ruled weaker during the week September 15-20. Weakness developed at Boston, New York, and Chicago, and prices sagged at these markets, while other markets held practically steady. Best quality hay continued scarce and wanted, but low grades were plentiful and dull, moving only at price concessions. Offerings were fully adequate for consumers' needs although receipts at principal markets September 1-15 were slightly under last year. Unusually good pastures for the season continued to restrict country takings, and although the tame hay crop may be slightly less than last year's it seems probable that an usually large amount of corn will be cut for forage this year. The crop continues backward and it seems practically certain that much of it will not mature before killing frosts, according to the department's mid-month crop notes. Alfalfa prices have held close to the course of last year's prices, well above the level of 1922, while timothy prices average about $2 per ton lower than last year, slightly higher than midway between 1923 and 1922. Prairie hay averaged $1.75 per ton lower than the corresponding time last year but 50¢ per ton higher than at that time in 1922. The timothy market was easier. Receipts were heavier at Boston, New York, and Chicago and prices declined at these markets. Offerings of good hay were scarce at Cincinnati and the market continued firm for good quality but low grades sold at price concessions. The demand at this market was slightly more active. The St. Louis market was steady for high grade hay but the low grades were hard to move at reduced prices. Inquiries at Kansas City were less numerous but the market held practically steady on better grades of hay. Receipts of timothy at Baltimore and Richmond were ample for buyers' needs with best demand for the top grades of hay. Off grade timothy was beginning to pile up at Savannah. Receipts have been equal to demand at Atlanta and Memphis with the market holding steady. Inquiries were more numerous at New Orleans and the condition of the hay arriving was reported improved but receipts were increasing. The alfalfa market was firm with reduced offerings. There was a light inquiry for high quality hay at Chicago where five cars were received during the week. Trade continued light at Omaha with the market holding steady. Kansas City was firm with an advance in quotations of 50-$1 per ton. Mills were in the market although a large portion of the receipts were not up to the quality desired, as considerable of the hay arrived wet, heating, and otherwise damaged on account of rain in producing sections. The southern demand was slightly more active and dairies and feeders were in the market Damaged and grassy alfalfa sold at heavy discounts. Practically no demand was reported at Denver for alfalfa. On the Pacific coast the Los Angeles market was weak with a rather light demand. At San Francisco receipts were somewhat lighter and the market held steady. The prairie market was practically unchanged. Offerings moved readily at Chicago with stockyards in the market on a limited scale, apparently trying for lower prices. Receipts for all hay were light at Minneapolis and the prairie market was firm with slightly advanced prices. Over half of the prairie arriving went direct to the stockyards. The bulk of arrivals at Omaha were purchased direct by the stockyards company and other demand was light. Abundant pasturage in this territory continued to reduce country takings. Good quality prairie was firm at Kansas City with a 50¢ advance in price. Stockyards were in the market and transfer companies, retailers, and shippers bought steadily. Receipts have been large, but it is expected that the rain in this territory will reduce offerings for the next week. The straw market was easier. Rye straw was firm at Boston with improved demand, but oat and wheat straw were dull. Offerings were liberal at New York and prices declined $1 per ton. Straw was easier at Chicago with the chaffy straw hard to move. Wheat straw has been arriving in poor condition. Offerings of wheat and oat straw were ample for trade wants at Baltimore, but the market was firm on long rye straw. Quotations on straw at San Francisco were $1 per bale. Increased Cotton Acreage in Paraguay Estimates given out in Paraguay by the Banco Agricola and corroborated by cotton planters point to the cultivation of an area of approximately 100,000 acres of cotton during the 1924–25 season according to a report from Consul Digby A. Willson at Asuncion. The area reported by the International Institute of Agriculture for 1923-24 was 32,100 acres. Carload Prices of Hay and Straw at Important Markets, September 20, 1924 |