Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-19
Smaller Offerings of Cattle
Check Downward Tendency
BETTER Lots 10 Up
THE DEMAND WAS ANIMATED
Tho Yard Crowd Expected a Big
Supply But the Cattle Offered Were
DisappointineIy Few - Recent De-
mand For Hogs Stimulated Prices
Average Higher.

Chicago, Dec. 19.-Most people mt
the yards were looking for big supply
today but they were disappointed
Smaller offerings tended to check the
recent downward tendency Of prices
There was more animation In the de-
mand, prices ruling about 10 higher fos
all except thin lots. Steers sold large
ly at $4,00M6.00. Cows and heifcrs
were in better demand at steady prices.
The stocker and feeder trade was only
moderate
Activity in the demand for poultry,
as usual at this season Of the year, has
been the principal cause for the indf-
ferent inquiry for medium steers, poul-
try trade affecting sales of this class of
beef, while the strictly choice cuts met
good sale, and the absence of liberal
offerings of range steers has opened
q fair outlet for common and light ma
tives, which have gone chiefly to the
local packers.
Export and eastern demand for good
fat kinds has ruled quite active prices
abroad standing the highest since last
July, though these high prices have
been paid principally for the choice
Christmas steers. Buyers for the for
eign trade have taken offerings suit
able for their needs quite freely in the
past few days, the whole weeks pur-
chases being the largest in several
months, totaling close to 6,70O head,
though this active export demand will
,Lnx Foil t,,,r cff ha
holidays are passed. Eastern beef
trade is reported in fair shape, though
poultry is a strong competitor of beef
for the publics CALL and until con-
sumptive demand for beef grows larger
traders do not anticipate any very
great rush Of orders from eastern
sources.
Hogs.
AS was expected. the recent small
advance In hogs stimulated shipments
from various parts of the corn belt
and there was an active demand
Prices were averaging higher Bulk
OF sales, $4.50@4.65.
The hogs at the top price, 4.67k
averaged around $40 pounds, Just such
weights as were being Disseminated
against not many weeks ago. AT the
present time there is more In weight
than in quality, as fat but plain heavy
sows are now out-selling smooth, we'll
bred light and medium weights.
Light and medium weight mixed
formed the bulk Of the supply, and
there was an excessive proportion of
car loads, containing 100 to 140 pound
pigs. Usually in each car load OF such
stock there would be enough $50 to 500
pound rough stays and sows to bring
the average weight up, but this class
of stock has been badly neglected of
late and there is every indication that
discrimination against such weights
will increase, especially If the weather
should turn very stormy and cold and
feeders found it difficult to make the
little pigs gain satisfactorily In
weight.
My shippers inform me that 1T is
no use trying to buy hogs around ~
in the country, for farmers will not
cut loose at that figure. which, of
course means lighter receipts and con-
sequently higher prices every time the
packers administered much pounding
Of the market" said commission man.
Sheep.
There was very general demand,
but buyers refused to pay last weeks
best prices. Sales were largely 10
lower.
"The country cannot be warned
enough against sending any big sup
plies of sheep and lambs here this
week." suggested a trader, "for there is
no doubt but what the demand will be
of more limited kind than of late.
Shipping of such offerings as are not
strictly fat should not be INDUCED in
at all, for with any great number of
these here next week the break in the
market will be even more severe than
late last week"