The average price of No. 1 timothy at the principal timothy markets is now about $23.50 per ton, with the alfalfa average price about $22.75. This is $10 less per ton for both kinds than the prevailing average price Oct. 1, 1920. There is a fair local demand in limited quantities for the better grades of hay but scarcely any shipping demand and the lower grades are neglected. Good pastures and large local supplies of forage are important factors and will probably curtail demand for some time.
Receipts at nine of the important hay markets were practically the same as for the preceding week and totaled only a little over 1,000 cars compared with over 2,000 cars in the same markets at the corresponding time last year. The following table gives receipts of hay in several important markets for the weeks ending Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 1921, and Oct. 2, 1920.
| Cities. | 1921 | 1920 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1. | Sept. 24. | Oct. 2. | |
| New York | 73 | 164 | 359 |
| Pittsburgh | 50 | 55 | 186 |
| Cincinnati | 93 | 66 | 219 |
| Chicago | 184 | 195 | 207 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | 67 | 36 | 18 |
| St. Louis | 152 | 105 | 215 |
| Kansas City | 189 | 139 | 1,019 |
| San Francisco | 78 | 107 | ... |
| Los Angeles | 144 | 150 | 78 |
TIMOTHY UP $4 AT NEW YORK.
Timothy.—Very light receipts of timothy at New York and efforts on the part of dealers to replenish their light stocks from the small quantity of hay arriving caused prices to advance $4 per ton during the week in that market. Buying was restricted, however, by the higher prices. Other eastern markets were practically unchanged. Good hay is scarce but equal to the light demand.
Prices at both the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati markets advanced $1 during the week, but the advance at Cincinnati was lost on Saturday because of a lack of support from shippers. Light receipts were almost entirely responsible for the firm market tone both at Chicago and St. Louis, as the demand was not large and was confined principally to local needs. At Chicago cars of choice hay in small bales sold at premiums of $1 to $2 over current quotations. Receipts on the North side increased and those on the South side decreased, so that the premium at which hay sold on the North side tracks last week was reduced about $1 per ton.
There was very little activity in the southern markets during the week. Stocks are light, but buying is only for the light local demand. Richmond reports a good demand for No. 1 clover hay, of which very little is being offered.
Alfalfa.—The alfalfa market showed some advances during the week, but prices were not materially higher. A better demand from southern and southeastern consuming sections and from interior Kansas points, where supplies are relatively small, was reported at Kansas City. Los Angeles also reports an increased demand for good grades. Choice dairy and rabbit hay is selling at a good premium over No. 1 and standard alfalfa. A sharp demand for fertilizer alfalfa is also reported from southern California.
Further shipments of alfalfa from San Francisco to the New England States were made during the week, but local demand in that market is very light. The movement of alfalfa in other Western States is light, caused principally by the light feeding demand and high freight rates.