Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-03-08
STEERS ABOUT STEADY
Butcher Stuff Steady to Weak,
But Choice Steers Again in
Demand
GAINS IN THE HOG MARKET
Prices Ten to Fifteen Over Saturdays
Average, Because Of Light Receipts
and Active Demand by All Glasses of
Buyers-sheep Steady, Tho Market
Had Weak Undertone.

Chicago, March s.-Cattle-Stecis
were about steady, a few selling at
little stronger prices, but butcher stGd
was steady to weak. Cows sold better
than heifers. Choice steers were again
in demand. and found the readlest out
let to shippers.
The impression prevails in selling
quarters that the market, once we'll
out of the control of the bearish kill
ing interests, will remain on a rela-
lively high basis in the coming weeks.
Excessive runs are not looked for.
There is no indication that feed lots
hold any but a rather small supply OF
cattle, which are really in marketable
condition, and even tho the beef mar
kets are still claimed to be in poor
shape the trade generally does not take
the continued mean condition OF the
beef market as probable of affecting
seriously the late higher level of prices
for steers.
Greatest gains recently have been
forced for the classes which were really
in need of the biggest boost-viz.. the
good to choice grades of strong weight.
For a long time these had suffered In
value as against the medium and low
er-priced steers, but in the last two
weeks conditions have changed, the
strongweight classes meeting best IA
vor. and prices have accordingly made
bigger gains than in the market Tor
the medium and lower priced steers.
Hogs.
Light receipts and active demand by
all classes of buyers, brought about
gains Of 10 to Is cents over saturdays
average. Lights had a call, and sofa
readily, tho butchers and heavies con-
tinued at the top, which was reported
at $500.
With their cellars full of product
packers are not anxious to make reg
ular stuff at this season and the mar
ket has gone on a fresh meat basis.
The east has seldom taken as large
a percentage of the supply as at pres
ent and there is every reason 10 pc
lieye that trade in cured product is as
extensive as in fresh pork. Accumula-
ton in packers cellars has. practically
ceased. The increase in regular lard at
Chicago last month was only 5,OOo
tierces, stocks of short ribs gained less
than 100000 pounds and the Total
stock lis now 100000 pounds less than
a wear ago, which furnishes no assur-
ance of cheaper hogs. Packers are
cutting hogs to send the maximum
quantity of product into fresh meat
channels now and the stock In cellars
may be; expected to diminish right
along There wasla heavy decrease IN
the worlds stock of lard last month,
stocks in and afioat for Europe being
reduuced 10000 tierces. There is good
reason to believe that packers have
secure footing on the long side of
provisions and while they may not be
anxious to advance hog values they
will support the market around pres
ent prices. ~
notwithstanding the fact that top
hogs last week at $3.50 were 15c lower
than high spot on Feb. 1, the average
price for the week at $6.47k was high
est in five months, standing Loo above
previous week, $2.01 higher than cor
week a year ago, 53c lower
than two years ago and 73c lower thstn
the corresponding week of 1908. when
the average was 1923. Ten years ago
in 1899, the average was 81. Last
weeks average price stands &c higher
than the general average of the, CORE
spending week during the past ten
years.
Sheep.
Sheep were steady, with a weak un-
dertone. Lambs broke 10, on an aver
age. Liberal receipts at other points
the need for packers to take
hold very theoretically.
The run of sheep has fallen off con-
siderably. Prices are fully 25c higher
than week ago. Strange to say, more
shorn sheep are coming than wooded
ones, and are selling comparatively
much higher than wooded stock; choice
shorn wethers as high as S5.35 and the
bulk from $5@5.25. There is no ques-
ton but what prices for shorn stock
are fictitious. The only reason killers
are paying these prices is because
shorn stock shows a better margin in
The dressing, but the actual profit to
the packer is much greater on the
.vooled stock, and it is surprising they
will buy clipped stock so much out Of
line with woods. Traders would not
De surprised to see this condition
change any time; that is, to- see clipped
stock sell lower or nearer in line with
pooled stock.
Feeding demand rules good. Every
hing in that line sells at good prices
and there seems to be plenty of people
ooking for feeders. Many are buying
leshy lambs for shearing OH account
If the high prices wool is bringing
and the high prices clipped stuff sells
.or compared to woods.
Representative Hog Sales.
Below are given few of the repre-
sentative hog sales:
Av. Price
10 mixed and butchers. 200 $685.