, 1903-11-05
WEEKLY STOCK YARDS LETTER
South Omaha. Neb., Nov. 4.

INV WV i'l gu Nv Slilpl
stock yards here are specializing on
the cause for the remal kably poor
grades of cattle which have been
the rule during all of the seaso
to the present time. They cannot
understand why shippers are send
ing in half finished cattle. which
bring low prices and are hard to
sell, when anything that is fair to
good will command high and prof
liable prices.
The conclusion which "a alone
be reached is that during the ear
Her season a rush of poor cattle
was made to all markets. They
brought indifferent prices and,
the stockmen believe. the low val
ues have made shippers look for a
falling market: that, acting upon
this belief they have rushed their
cattle to the markets so as not to
get caught by still lower prices.
All stockmen agree that such a
belief is unfounded. During the
entire summer there has been an
active demand at high prices for
the best grades of stock, while the
continual shipments of poor
grades, bringing low prices, has
made it appear that The market
has ruled low. 1t is these low
prices which give credence to sen
sational tales about the packers
forcing down prices. These tales
are without foundation. Packers
at this and other markets are sharp
bidders against each other for any
thing good, as any shipper who
has watched the buying and sell
ing must have seen.
South Omaha is purchasing
high grades, and the best of the
fair grades at Chicago prices. In
consequence any shipper who has
really good cattle can save trans
portation charges, cost OF feeding
and railroad delays by shipping to
South Omaha. 1t may be said
that this rule applies equally to
auy of the Missouri river markets.
such as Sioux City, st. Joseph or
Kansas City. South Omaha is
now proving the popular point
because of the steady demand for
good grades and its rising impor-
lance as a livestock market. 1t
has this year again distanced
Kansas City on hogs and sheep
and is giving that city a close race
on cattle receipts. But the point
most to be urged is that shippers
finish their stock before sending
it to any market, or they will lose
money.
The expert review of the South
Omaha market the past week, fur
nished vour correspondent by the
Flato Commission Co, says: The
early part OF last week witnessed
the heaviest receipts OF the season,
1000 head of cattle arriving
Monday. But the receipts quick
ly fell off and by Thursday the
demand was again brisk. How
ever the bulk of the cattle arriving
were low grades. which causes an
appearance of "A low market. We
cannot too strongly urge that n
better finish be put upon cattle
before shipment. Poor cattle can
not be sod at any market at a
profit any more than can a cheap
class Of clothing, Stockers and
feeders we're liberal, reasonably
fair stock bringing $40. These
were from Wyoming, while a lot
of poorer class South Dakotaus
brought $40 and some Nebras-
kans as low as S335. Wyoming
cows brought So, while low grade
Colorado cows sold for only $40.
Sheep receipts We're also heavy
and the market ruled 10 10 l5c
lower: fat lambs $3.50; fair to good
yearlings $40 to S3.65. Ship
ments are likely to be lighter now
and we look for somewhat higher
figures"