The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-15
IDry-Fed Steers N/ere NeUer So Scarce;
Sheep and Lambs Soft; Hogs at Premium,

If corn continue on the high plane
which has prevailed during the past
year, very few cattle will be fed, but
the break in values which will surely
follow the certainty that the crop Is
safe from frost will cause thousands
OF farmers TO decide to feed who are
now awaiting developments. The pres
ent outlook certainly favors light ar
rivals OF fat cattle during the coming
year and high prices for meat.
Mich cows are in active demand,
the best readily selling for $50. Not
nearly enough cows 10 satisfy the de-
mands OF the trade are coming to hand
at this time. Very few veal calves
are coming and prices are working
higher under "A demand which IS ur.
gent and hard TO satisfy with any
thing else. Three times as many
good veal calves could Sc sold In the
Detroit market every week without
materially shading prices.
Sheep and lambs are selling at
prices that look like hard times for
the American shepherd. Chicago has
had glut of lambs so far this month
and rumor has IL that the worst is yet
to come in that market. II Is under
stood that western feeders got their
dill OF lamb feeding last year and will
try and sell their stock In feeding con-
ditlon this year. Ii is also claimed
that western lambs have been held
back TO allow southern stock TO get
out OF the way. All OF the above con.
ditions would seem TO suggest lower
prices little later In the season.
In an interview with the writer. Joe
Stephens, the veteran Buffalo live
stock commission salesman, made the
following statement
Il believe that feeding lambs will
pay better this winter than for several
years. Hay is cheap and lambs will
cost $3.50 TO 81 per cwt. less than last
year. Corn will be high, but / am
convinced that the other elements in
the undertaking will Offset the price
OF corn. | hardly think that western
lambs have touched bottom yet. In
my opinion. the next 80 days will see
a glut OF feeding lambs In Chicago
that has not been known in many
years. Ii were buying feeding lambs
this fall | would set my price at -
per cwt. for the best and | am con.
WINGED that / would get them before
the seasons Is over. Remember,
would buy nothing but the very best.
IL does not pay TO buy second or third
grade lambs just because they are
cheap"
Fat hogs are selling at a premium
! in all markets and II begins to look as
! II the packers would have TO kill
grassors before the season il over or
stop operations. The Detroit market
was easily % cents per cwt too low
last week, when compared with other
markets. On Wednesday, Detroit buy
ers paid $3.50 for the best In Chicago
on the same day. top hogs brought
$7i5. and in Buffalo, $3.50 IL is Z
fact that the average quality OF Mich
igan hogs is decidedly OF color Jus
now. but the same may be said o
every market in the country. A few
hogs are received here, however. tina
are top-notchers. and for these loca
buyers should pay as much as tn,
same grade Is bringing In Chicago. Or
| Wednesday Of last week large, rul
OF cattle and about zoo hogs came e
hand The hogs were readily sold
but the bulk OF the cattle had 10 b,
held until Thursday morning.