3 per cent of a year earlier. Last week

3 per cent of a year earlier. Last week in Virginia, dealer prices for first cutting alfalfa ranged from $46.50-$50.50. Prices on second or later cuttings of alfalfa rangedfrom $52.00 - $56.00. Timothy prices ranged from $47.00 to $49.00. Timothy and clover mixed ranged from $44.00$48.00.

These prices are quoted for No. 2 or better grades of hay. Slaughter Cattle Cattle Drices are showing some seasonal strength from the low point reached in midDecember. Some additional in creases may be expected, but prices will run below those of last year. Depending largo ly on weather conditions, week to week flucuation may occur. December slaughter of cattle in the United States was up about 12 per cent from the same month last year. Up until now, January slaughter is running about 10 per cent higher 'than the same time last year. In Virginia, slaughter for the first 11 months of 1963 was 9 per cent above the same months of 1962. National beef cold storage holdings, as of January 1, are 38 per cent above the holdings of the same time a year earliei; On January 1, there were 8,865,000 cattle and calves on feed in 28 major feeding states for slaughter market, 1 per cent fewer than a year earlier, according to the Crop Reporting Board. There were fewer cattle and calves on feed weighing under 900 pounds, but more on feed weighing over 900 pounds than January 1 last year. Nearly all the decrease in total numbers on feed from ayear earlier was accounted for in heifers and heifer calves. In Chicago last, week, choice grade steers brought $22.50$23.25. Good grade steers brought $20.00-$22.00. Choice grade heifers sold at $21.75$22.75, and good grade heifers brought $20.00-$$21.25. Because of adverse weather conditions throughout Virginia last week, few cattle were moved to market.