_Red Clover._--In a number of important sections only 5 to 25% of the
red clover seed crop had been sold by growers at the end of September.
This season’s movement, however, has exceeded the belated movement of
the 1920 crop, but has been a little slower than usual. Growers see
evidences of a short crop in their immediate vicinity, and in view of
the fact that prices offered are on an average $2 to $4 per 100 lbs.
lower than last year, and $25 to $28 lower than two years ago at a
corresponding time, they are not inclined to sell freely. In a few
sections, particularly southwestern Ohio and southeastern Iowa, the
movement has been considerably above normal, the growers already having
sold 45% and 35%, respectively, of their crops.
The average prices offered to growers in various sections on Sept. 27
for clean seed, as shown in the accompanying table, ranged from $14.60
per 100 lbs. in southwestern Iowa to $17.25 in southwestern Ohio,
compared with a range of $17.25 to $22 at a corresponding time last
year.
The imports of red clover seed during July, August, and September
totaled 1,792,900 lbs. compared with 305,200 lbs. during the same months
a year ago. These heavy imports of old seed from Europe and South
America have tended to depress prices for domestic seed. French, German,
and Italian correspondents state that large quantities of red clover
seed were sold during July and August and consequently stocks of old
seed have been reduced greatly. The 1921 crop in these and other
European countries was reported to be much below normal because of the
drought during the summer, and it will be needed for sowing the acreage
there next spring.
The quality of the seed in this country varies considerably in different
sections, being better than last year in southern Wisconsin, Ohio,
Minnesota, South Dakota, and Idaho and somewhat poorer in central
Illinois, and Indiana, Michigan, and parts of other States.
_Alsike Clover._--In practically all of the important producing sections
a larger percentage of the crop had left growers’ hands by Oct. 1 than
on the same date last year. It is estimated that about two-fifths of the
marketable surplus had been sold by growers by that date. On Sept. 27
growers were being offered $13.05 to $16 per 100 lbs. for clean seed
compared with prices a year ago of $18.40 to $24.50 and two years ago of
$36.20 to $40.
Most of the reports indicated that the quality of the 1921 crop was
approximately the same as that of last year; the reports indicating a
difference in quality between the 1921 and 1920 crops were about equally
divided, some stating that the quality was better and others stating
that it was inferior.
The imports of alsike clover seed from July 1 to Sept. 30 were 1,106,700
lbs., compared with 109,700 lbs. for the same period last year. The crop
in Ontario, Canada, which contributes the large bulk of the alsike
clover seed that is annually imported into this country is less than
normal and is estimated to be 60% of the 1920 crop. The decreased
production of this seed in the United States and Canada has caused
prices to remain rather firm since harvest.
=Red Clover Seed Prices and Movement.=
------------+----------------------+--------------------------
|Prices offered growers| Percentage of 1921,
State or | per 100 lbs., | 1920, and 1919
section. | basis clean seed. | crops sold by
| | growers by--
+-------+------+-------+--------+--------+--------
| Sept. | Oct. | Sept. | Sept. | Oct. | Sept.
| 27, | 5, | 30, | 27, | 5, | 30,
| 1921. |1920. | 1919. | 1921. | 1920. | 1919.
------------+-------+------+-------+--------+--------+--------
| | | |_P. ct._|_P. ct._|_P. ct._
Michigan | $16.10|$20.50|$43.40 | 5 | 5 | 2
N. Illinois | 15.40| 21.00| ... | 5 | 10 | 12
C. Illinois | 15.75| 19.50| 42.90 | 25 | 15 | 65
N. Indiana | 16.70| 19.65| 41.75 | 25 | 15 | 50
C. Indiana | 16.40| 19.40| ... | 30 | 10 | 15
S. Indiana | 15.80| 17.25| ... | 20 | 10 | 10
NW. Ohio | 15.75| 20.00| 44.50 | 45 | 8 | 20
SW. Ohio | 17.25| 21.75| ... | 5 | 9 | ...
Minnesota | 15.65| 20.10| 43.75 | 10 | 3 | 15
W. Wisconsin| 16.05| 19.80| ... | 5 | 5 | 10
E. Wisconsin| 17.20| 20.50| ... | 5 | 5 | 5
S. Wisconsin| 16.90| 20.90| 44.20 | 15 | 6 | 35
Idaho | 15.00| 22.00| 43.70 | 10 | 6 | 20
Nebraska | 15.00| 20.00| 43.15 | 5 | 4 | 20
Kansas | 14.75| 17.75| ... | 15 | 2 | 35
NE. Iowa | 15.50| 20.00| ... | 20 | 17 | 5
SW. Iowa | 14.60| 19.50| ... | 10 | 5 | 30
SE. Iowa | 15.10| 21.00| 41.00 | 35 | 5 | 35
Missouri | 15.90| 18.75| ... | 15 | 6 | 50
------------+-------+------+-------+--------+--------+--------
=Alsike Clover Seed Prices and Movement.=
------------+-------+------+-------+--------+--------+--------
| | | |_P. ct._|_P. ct._|_P. ct._
Michigan | $15.15|$20.40|$38.00 | 15 | 6 | 55
N. Illinois | 13.90| 20.90| ... | 40 | 11 | 85
C. Illinois | 13.85| 18.40| 40.00 | 20 | 20 | 65
N. Indiana | 13.95| 19.80| ... | 60 | 36 | 50
C. Indiana | 14.25| 20.25| 40.00 | 50 | 14 | 10
NW. Ohio | 13.05| 21.70| 38.70 | 60 | 16 | 85
SW. Ohio | 14.45| 22.90| ... | 15 | 7 | ...
New York | 16.00| 23.25| ... | 35 | 5 | 45
W. Wisconsin| 14.00| 20.30| ... | 5 | 8 | 45
E. Wisconsin| 14.50| 21.70| ... | 15 | 10 | ...
S. Wisconsin| 14.60| 24.50| 36.20 | 40 | 20 | 35
Idaho | 16.00| 23.00| 39.50 | 70 | 10 | 60
Oregon | 14.25| 22.75| ... | 60 | 10 | 35
------------+-------+------+-------+--------+--------+--------
_A GLANCE AT THE MARKETS._
_Heavy receipts featured the week’s live-stock trading. The trend of
cattle prices was decidedly irregular. The hog market had a fairly
healthy tone. Sheep and lamb trade showed some improvement. The fresh
meat trade throughout the month of September was narrow (pp. 226 and
228)._
_Prices of wheat and corn futures declined steadily throughout the
week, but cash premiums strengthened in all markets excepting
Minneapolis (p. 234)._
_The movement of fruits and vegetables was near the peak of the
season, and prices declined (p. 230)._
_Definite information concerning volume of Danish imports steadied the
butter market. Cheese markets were steady under improved demand (p.
233)._
_Hay continued in light supply and prices in most markets were
unchanged. General inactivity continued in feed markets, wheat mill
feeds registering extreme Weakness (p. 236)._
_Prices of spot and future cotton continued to advance. Production
estimated at only 6,537,000 bales (p. 238)._
_The monthly Wool consumption report appears on page 239._
_The monthly table showing carload shipments of fruits and vegetables
appears on page 232._