Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-20
CATTLE UNCHANGED
That Market is Closing on
Lower Basis Than
Week Ago
HOG PRICES ABOUT STEADY
Both Packers and Shippers Bought
Freely, and All the Offerings Were
Taken-Demand About Same as
Previous Day - Sheep Run Meager
and Demand Moderate.
LOG PRICES ABOUT STEADY

Chicago, Feb. observation-disclosures was
no marked change in prices, RECIPES
being only a few, and the market was
on nominal basis. The run this week
exceeded that of the previous week. by
5000. The market is closing on a
lower basis than week ago.
Increased supplies of cattle this
week proved detrimental to the inter
ests of the market. For several weeks
the trade has been very sensitive to
the slightest excess in receipts, and
tho the total this week was only
$1,000, it was more than the demand
warranted. The supply was 5000 more
than last week Nand $4,000 less than a
year ago. Ordinarily the market should
be able to absorb at least 10000 cattle
per week at this time of the year. but
lately moderate receipts have failed to
stimulate the market to greater activ-
ity and to raise it to a higher level.
1t Is very clear that the demand for
beef is not broad. Buyers of cattle
blame this condition on the industrial
situation in the east, claiming that
many men are out of work. This state
ment is verified by the weak demand
on shipping account. During the week,
while receipts were 5000 larger, ship
ments were few thousand less than
last week.
Eastern shipments are remarkably
light for this time of the year, and
competition among the local buyers Is
surprisingly slack. Bad weather con-
ditions have been in some measure re-
sponsible for the weak demand for cat
tile. Beef prices have been lower con-
siderably at the wholesale markets, but
the retailers. are still demanding the
same old prices from customers. This
has prevented broader demand and
packers are determined not to load UP
with product till they can detect bet
ter outlet.
Demand had about the same activity
as yesterday, and prices remained
about steady. All the offerings were
taken, and both packers and shippers
bought freely.
Supply has been very .heayy every
where in the west this week. The local
run is practically 100000, or nearly
double that of last week and $4,000
more than a year ago. The five prin-
cipai western markets have received
about 100000 hogs in five days, against
24O, 900 last week and 100000 year
ago. Shippers have been free buyers.
otherwise prices would have suffered
more. They have taken about $4,000,
against 10000 last week and $4,000 a
year ago. February receipts to date
show decrease of $4,000, while ship
ments have decreased but 1000.
A year ago the market was very
slumpy nearly $4,000 being on sale.
The bulk sold at S4.3o@44o. and the
following day it was a $4.15@425
market. Prices were then close around
the low point of 1908.
1t. is estimated that the winter
packing season will close with about
400 900 more hogs packed than for the
season a year ago. but
the weight will be lighter. At one
time during the season the packing
was about 100000 hogs more than
for the corresponding period a year
before farmers rushing in their hogs
in order to save high-priced corn.
Sheep.
Sheep were steady. The run was
and demand was moderate.