Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-03-18
STEER TRADE BETTER
PART OF PREVIOUS DAYS, SLUMP
RECOVERED, AND MORE Ac-
TlvITY DISPLAYED.
HOG MARKET DULL AND
GENERALLY FIVE LOWER
Lack of Shipping Demand Affected the
Market Early, Tho Better Tone Pre-
vailed Later in Day-Packsrs Help
Sustain Market-sheep Market Is
Strong and Lambs About Steady.

Chicago, March 1S.--Cattle-There
was a slight Improvement noted in
the steer trade today, portion of yes
I terdays slumping recovered, and more
activity displayed. The quality, how
ever was not of the best. Butcher
sorts were in light supply, ami in fair
demand, heavy prime COWS being best
sellers.
Fair to good steers are as low as
they have been any time this year. ana
the choice have dropped back to near
lly the low level. Buyers have been
waiting for a chance to get even for
the advance they had to put on last
week They claim the meat demand
is poor and they have to make con-
cessions to sell it.
Bad weather turnout the west was
largely responsible for the liberal sup
ply of cattle here this week. Feed lots
are in muddy condition. Another fac
tor that contributed to the large offer
ing was the advance in the market last
week which caused good many feed
ers who had been holding for better
prices to market their stock.
Owing to dry weather in Texas the
marketward movement of quarantine
cattle has subsidized, n fact that ac-
counts in some measure for better
prices. While the owner of grass cat
tie is disgruntled present conditions
suit the meal feeder who does not rel
ish competition from grassers at a
period where he has no alternative but
seek market. The northward movement
of cattle from below the quarantine
line has been heavier than last year.
Hogs.
Hogs were dull, because of lack of
shipping demand, and prices were gem
orally five lower, altho at the finish, a.
better tone prevailed than earlier in
the day. Packers contributed literally
toward sustaining the market after
they once got started.
Recent irregularity in prices in the
hog market is explained by the fact
that receipts have been equally irreg-
ular Tuesday $4,000 hogs were bullet
ined: yesterday $4,000. Nobody looked
for so manq hogs Monday and nobody
looked for so few yesterday Such ir-
regularity in prices and keeps the trade
in an uncertain condition. The fact
that so many hogs arrived Monday af-
ter the advance of last week shows
that country buyers are active and
that farmers are willing to let go at a
reasonable profit. The high price of
corn is responsible for much of the
anxiety to liquidate.
Last week eastern shippers took 3S1A
per cent of all hogs reaching Chicago,
On Monday shippers took 6s3 car
loads out of total supply of 2,29s
cars. But for the presence of outside
buyers all classes of live stock would
be selling considerably lower. Such
conditions invariably exist when supply
is sparse; it is when the yards arc
glutted that regular buyers are able
to dictate terms.
Sheep.
Sheep were strong, and lambs were
about steady, but trading was quiet.
The quality was lacking in offerings.
Total receipts the first half of this
week were $4,000. a decrease of 1880
compared with the same period last
week and 1S,600 compared with the
corresponding three days last year.
Quality was good, but proportion of
sheep was not very liberal. Yearlings
were exceptionally scarce.