Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-31

There was no grain market today
because of observance of Memoria
Day.-Editor.
Chicago, May 31-Cattle-Trade a
the opening was slow, buyers showing
an inclination to bid lower, but seller
held out for steady to strong figures
Late quotations were in no instanc,
better than steady. Weakness devel
oped in certain classes, and occasional
sellers thought common stock solo
lower.
For the past few days there has
been continued light demand from the
exporters. Conditions abroad have not
been favorable to exporters for a long
time. The British markets have
dragged for several months under
weight of liberal supplies, While de-
pressed business conditions have held
In check the consumptive demand.
American exporters have been unable
to make a profit on shipments, and ex-
port demand for cattle has in conse-
quence been small.
Recovery of most the decline of week
before last has been accomplished
however, under a light run. and the
trade looks forward to good markets
In the next few weeks. Growing short
age of fat steers is apparent and with
the outlook favoring continued light
runs sellers are accommodating a bullish
spirit all around, with respect to future
cattle markets.
The marketings in the west are fall
ing off, and with nearby territory pref
ty we'll combed of the good quality
steers there is little room for a bear
ish attitude on the part of cattle hold
ers.
A pleasing circumstance in the trade
is the continued good consumptive de-
nland. A month age depressed indus
trial conditions in the east operated
against the steer market, but since
then the east has bought beef more
freely, and even tho the retail prices
have remained high, there is still a
broad consumptive demand, which
tends to strengthen bullish confidence.
Yearlngs and the handy weight
steers continue best sellers because
of the preference for lighter cuts of
beef. During the past few days year.
lings averaging less than 1000 lbs
(more than half of the lot heifers)
sold at 1925, and other lots of year.
lings have gone at S6.80D7.O5, while
| top heavy steers also sold at the same
price. The top last week was on a lev
I el with high point a week ago, against
$3.50 year ago, while bulk of sales
have ranged on a basis steady to 25
cents higher than a year ago, the low
er-priced steers showing the gain.
Hogs.
Trade was active, altho receipts
were heavier than trade required. The
bulk sold strong to cents higher, top
sorts going at 7.45. There was poor
demand from packers, shippers and
spectators making the market to a
large degree.
Hog supply in the west has swelled
materially during the past few days.
Completion of corn planting is one in
fiuence; high prices another. Pack
ers, however, are absorbing the in
crease at but slight reduction in prices.
Unless the marketward movement
shows further disposition to expand
the price list will not be seriously DAM
aged. 1t is evident, from quality Of
supply, that pastures are being raked
to secure hogs to ship, plenty of pack
ing sows being included in the run.
Plowing corn will soon absorb atten-
tion in the country and the present
rush is not likely to last long. Good
hogs are not plentiful. but growers are
theoretically gathering trash and a
wider spread in prices is probable
Sheep.
Sheep trade was slow and inclined to
drag, and prices show but little change
from last weeks close. There Was e..l
undercurrent of weakness
Mutton consumption has undoubt-
eddy been contracted to small proper
lions by reason of current high prices
and yet dead mutton trade shows
more virility than when the live mar
ket was dollar lower. Last week s
market was the most excited of the
year. prices never before recorded
being eagerly paid by killers The
high market is, of course doing the
rank and file of feeders little if any
good. the majority of them having
either cleaned up entirely before the
boom set in. AS the south has checked
an insipient movement Of spring
lambs killers are likely to paw still
higher prices for fed stuff, in re-
spouse to necessity, and 9-cent shorn
lambs are considered a probability
Northwestern grass lambs will arrive
on the scene late, owing to a back
ward season, and by marketing con-
servatively Tennessee and Kentucky
will Ont