Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-04
figures are as follows:

Another very unsatisfactory week In the
cattle trade has passed into history. Prices
have not gone any lower than the week
previous, that was hardly possible, but that
is about the best that can be said of the
trade. There has been no change either In
receipts or general conditions and what is
more there is no prospect Of any immediate
change. Killers are pursuing the same
hand to mouth policy necessitated by the
very restricted c~onsumptive demand and for
this reason on any marked decrease in re-
ceipts prices brace up, but as quickly
weaken on any appearance of large or even
normal supplies. There were instances of
this kind during the past week, but for the
most part the market dragged along with
prices at the lowest point in over three
years. : Shippers have been operating to a
moderate extent. but the absence of good
heavy cattle and the unfavorable conditions
prevailing east have made the speculative
element very conservative. The scarcity of
good heavy cattle. a very unusual circum-
stance at this season of the year, is Eener-
ally accounted for by the fact that on ac,
count of the ruinously low prices for fat
cattle feeders became disguised or else could
not get the usual and necessary accommo>
dation at the banks and marketed their
stock long before maturity.
IT VAS DISAPPOINTING.
After the active, frmer markets of the
past two days. the heavy receipts and slow
market today were the more keenly felt by
dealers. There were considerably over 100
loads on sale. and some Improvement was
noticeable in the general quality of the offer
ings, the proportion of pretty well fatted
steers being somewhat larger than common
of late. The receipts were about 800 heavier
than a week ago, and more than that, much
heavier than dealers were expecting. Buyers
wants were rather restricted. and as the
offerings were ample they took their time.
Really desirable beeves, on which killers
and shippers came in competition, sold steady,
in some cases stronger, but in most cases
the market was a shade easier than Friday,
while common and inferior stock sold 90
to 10c lower. There was little life and no
snap to the trade, but a very fair, although
rather late. clearance was effected.
The COW market was also slow and weak.
There were about thirty loads on sale and
buyers did not rush out after them. Sellers
were generally glad to get steady prices, but
as a rule they had to take less. The super
abundance of cheap, common steers made
COW stuff look high-priced, and this made
the market rather weak. Calves sold slowly
at steady to easier prices and the market
for rough stock was just about steady.
The stocker and feeder trade presents
many peculiar features. Last fall when fat
cattle were selling at good figures feeders
were low and now when beef steers are down
to bedrock feeders are in demand at good
prices. For instance, a man bought some
feeders here last fall at 1925, took them
home and fed them nearly six months and
was offered less than SO for the same cattle
here today. There has been little change in
the situation all week. Both supply and de-
mand have been light, but prices have been
firmly held. That was the condition of the
market TODAY. Good to choice feeders are
quoted at from SO to $50; fair to good at
from STE to SO, and lighter, commoner
grades at from $2.75 down.
REPRESENTATIVE SALES