Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-22
CAn[ENARKET STEADY
There Was a Fairly Good De-
mand Today and the Marc
ket Was Animated
PRICES WERE ABOUT THE SAME
Beef Steers Were Wanted Only Mod
erateIy and Exporters Were Buyers
Receipts of Hogs Were Less Than
Expected and Prices Advanced About
Ten Cents Today.

demand started off fairly animated.
The moderate Monday supply checked
the weakness that was so marked Il
feature last week. prices ruling about
steady. Beef steers were wanted only
and exporters were moder-
ate buyers. The COW and heifer trade
was fairly good, but demand for stock
ers and feeders was only moderate.
Quality of the arrivals last week
was poor, but this falling off in the
general grade has not been unexpected.
The winter fed cattle are being mar
keted closely and traders do not antlci-
pate very liberal offerings of the really
good kinds in the next few weeks.
Short fed cattle will likely make UP
the bulk of the offerings, together with
the grass grades, and any very liberal
runs of such kinds give promise OF
an Indifferent outlet.
Best sellers in the week have been
yearlings and while few lots OF
strictly choice big heavy steers made
quite good prices, the general opposi-
ton to weighty kinds which was notea
the previous week still remained III
force. Consumptive demand calls for
lighter cuts of beef and slaughterers
are regulating their purchases accord
ingly.
Hogs.
Receipts were less than expected
and the aggregate supply was very
moderate. Active local and shipping
demand caused an advance in values
of about 10. -,
Quality was good last week, 1nd1cat-
ing further increase on average
weight. There has been marked
preference for light and medium
weights and should the weekly average
continue to increase these will sell at
a 1O@15-cent premium over heavy be-
fore long. Already light and butchers
are making best prices.
The close showed a 5@10-cent de-
cline compared with the week before.
Saturday before last stanted the mar
ket on a down grade, that was contin-
ued Monday. Tuesdays light receipts
caused reaction. Wednesdays early
market was higher, the close being dull
saw a 56D10-cent decline, and Friday a
further depreciation of 10 cents. Pack
ens are making a strenuous effort to
put the market on a scent basis, a
plan the country has so far circum-
vented.
The sharp contraction in supply can
be construed only as indicating that
the country is still strong. believing
that hogs are worth IS at shipping
points Its policy lately has been to
stop shipping on 25-cent break and
the usual procedure was followed this
time.
Sheep.
There was fairly active demand,
but unusually large offerings caused
weak feeding, and prices were largely
1Oc lower, lambs weakening the most
on freer offerings.
Supply of live muttons was light at
all western markets last week, but
eastern points were well supplied. A
good many lambs went east that would
have made more money here. Indica-
lions are that the available supply OF
fed sheep and lambs is nearly market
ed Spring lambs have been showing
up more numerously, and have had d
sharp break, with every indication that
they will go still lower at an early
date Some Texas spring lambs ar
rived during the week that made S1a
cents. Kentucky and Tennessee spring
lambs will soon begin to run and
summer prices will then be put in force.
Present prices are 1905 lower than 4
week ago, when tops made II cents
and buying spring lambs in the coun-
try without liberal margin is un-
safe.
Grass sheep have been moving from
the southwest in moderate numbers
and have brought good prices, but sup
ply from this source is likely to in
crease at any moment. Oregon and
Washington sheep are reported to be
making rapid gain, and will begin to
move freely in June.