Quality of 1921 Crop About Same as That of last Year—Alsike Clover Seed Movement Normal.
The movement of red clover seed from growers’ hands has been below normal, but that of alsike clover has been fully normal, according to reports received by the Bureau of Markets and Crop Estimates during the week ending Oct. 1. There is a tendency on the part of the growers of red clover seed to hold their seed because the crop, which is now being thrashed in many sections, is not turning out any better than was expected at harvest time and as reported in The Market Reporter for Sept. 10.
Although clover prices on Sept. 27 were mostly 50¢ to $1 per 100 lbs. lower than they were a month ago, they have shown little or no change during the past week or ten days. The quality of red and alsike clover is about equal or slightly inferior to that of last year’s stock. Rains during the last two weeks of September have discolored or bleached much of the seed in some sections.
MOVEMENT SLOW.
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. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State or section. | Prices offered growers per 100 lbs., basis clean seed. | Percentage of 1921, 1920, and 1919 crops sold by growers by— | ||||
| Sept. 27, 1921. | Oct. 5, 1920. | Sept. 30, 1919. | Sept. 27, 1921. | Oct. 5, 1920. | Sept. 30, 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].