Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-02
livestock Market Report For 1906

markets has been very satisfactory on
tbo whole. The volume Of business
done has compared favorably with
nrevious years. The receipts OF cattle
and If veal calves have established
now high records, while sheep and hogs
though i'm greater volume than during
1eO5 have been considerably less than
during a number of previous years.
The increase of cattle has been al
mos, wholly from the West, the receipts
from New England showing n small
decrease. The increased supply OF
veal calves for the year, amounting u
over 1000, indicates that there has been
no falling off in the New England ilVe-
stock industry, as almost all the veal
calves coming to the Brighton ana
Watertown markets are raised IN New
England.
Some increase is noted in the re
CENTS of sheep and lambs, but the
bulk of the arrivals come from the
West. with Canada becoming more
prominent as a shipper of sheep an"
lambs. Receipts from Maine ana
Vermont have been considerably IN OK
cess of the figures for 1905. ana there *
some hope that the industry rlaE re
cover it's former prestige in these
states. Hogs have been in good supo'y
throughout the year. Most of the
SHIPMENTS are made directly to the
large slaughter houses. but there has
been good supply at the yards.
Prices Of all kinds of stock have
ruled quite high. For 4 time the
agitation against the packing houses
OF Fl
beef cattle. particularly fer the poorer
grades, the Gamers and boloSnas.
While prices of these poor cows are
still somewhat below the prices quoted
Il year ago, the effects of the agitation
has nearly passed away. The choice
grades of cattle arc a little higher than
they were a year ago, and the demand
for these seems to have been improved
| by the inspection law now in effect.
Hogs are decidedly higher than they
We're at the beginning Of the year.
| The demand for hogs has been ex-
| cellent and there have been few times
during the year when prices showed
any weakness.
| Sheep and lambs are quoted some
what lower and veal calves show
practically no change. During TIE
most of the year the market for sheep
and lambs at the yards was merely
nominal, owing to the small receipts.
Prices are regulated by the receipts at
the large slaughter houses.
The mich COW trade has been good.
Fancy mixers sell at better prices
than year ago. but the range on
ordinary cows is lower The hot
4 a
the demand for milk. and there was a
decided scarcity. This resulted in a
good demand for heavy mixers. which
has not yet ceased.
| The export cattle business was
seriously damaged by the packing
house agitation. Foreign countries
which had been seeking an excuse to
shut out our beef. or to reduce the
shipments were quick to take ad-
vantage of this opportunity.
| Some Improvement is noted as the
foreign trade has found that it must
have the cattle from the United States,
and that the quality is excellent
There was of course no charge against
| live cattle.
| business at the yards has been
greatly hampercd by the continual de-
lay of trains. Prompt arrivals have
been the exception for some time past
| This has been due chiefly to the great
volumes of traffic which the railroads
are handling, causing congestion of
freight in many sections.
Delayed trains mean loss in weight
and quality Of stock. freoucntlv
| neceSSitating concessions in prices
ohlppers who get their stock to the
yard early have an advantage
| The market for horses. throughout
the year. has, in general, been a nros-
porous one. Quotations during the
year have held remarkably steady
even through the dull season. The
market showed but a slight falling off
IN prices. and readily regained its
former level. as trade once more be-
came active. At no time has the
/ supply been in excess of the demand
ana during the spring and early sum
hier' dealers experienced difficulty in
securing enough of the right kind of
rs 70 satisfy an urgent demand.
ti1s pclnS especially true in filling the
'i'crS lof fresh country horses to send
ouI - Inc lumber cams aIso IL
supplying heavy drafts. Cun1 drafts
''ii" large strong horses for rAcrcantila
PURPOSES nay" been in constant de-
i"aAi during II" Year. selling ready az
5000 prices Purchasers arc looisin.-
more f"r first class horses than in
Gears past, consequently. small seconds
are III small demand ana move slovI,,
e. 70" 1IGrrcs. and decreasing yaluas
"es'ein horses have ruled high in
rome trace as well as East, but during
We past month quotations East have
declined 2 and 10 per cent. The snrin !,
ana fall trade Of driving and firnilS
hofscs was excellent Good ouaIity
horses Of this class sell at good nrico.
'he season through no Depreciation il
ss'u =. oeins noted by the incrcainy use
OF the automobile. 80