Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-03

average Of the cattle marketed during
composite average figure for the year
being $685., against $6 last year The
average is Is cents higher than in 1902,
which was the previous high cattle
year, and all things considered feeders
were better satisfied with results than
i'll 1902. The. element of high priced
feed cut a big figure in cattle feeding
operations during the year and fright
ened many out of the business. The re-
suit was that fewer cattle were fed in
the territory tributary to Chicago,
which is evidenced by the fact that re-
ceipts during the year show a falling
off of over 100000 from last year. 1t
will be the smallest cattle total since
1900 and shows that the country is
watching the hand writing on the wall
very closely and is following the line
of least resistance. Conservatism was
practiced to an unusual degree and to
many it was evident that it was more
profitable and certain to sell the corn
than to feed it.
Receipts of beef cattle for the year
show decrease of 100, 600 from 1908.
which is tbs smallest years contribu-
ton since 1900.
Quality Of the supply during the year
was rather inferior because corn was
high and feeders We're inclined to feed
sparingly. Thousands of cattle were
sent in less than half fat, and many
that were just warmed up. Many feed
ers evidently felt that it was more to
their benefit to sacrifice the cattle than
the corn
The average price of beef cattle was
the highest ever made al this market.
the composite figure standing al $3.50
against SIS last year and $3.50 in 1907.
The spread in prices of beef cattle
especially late in the year, after the
choice cattle started 10 go up so rap
idly, was the widest ever known in
market history. Demand was so strer-
uous for the prime steers and so indif-
ferent for the common, that in the fail
the spread was fully SIS.
Business in the export department
was the highest in over twenty years,
for the reason that values at this end
of the line were. too high too justify
extensive shipments. Only the big
packers stayed in the game, and they
claimed they We're losing money.
About as many distillery cattle are
on feed now as year ago. Practically
all the space is filled. Distillery feeders
/ had TO pay much higher prices for their
i feed during the year, but in turn they
received much higher rates for the fin
ished cattle.
Lots of light, unfinished steers were
sent in during Novem Der and Decem-
Der, which had to sell at very low
rates compared with the way the gool
to choice steers sold. Stockmen did no
want to feed 60 cent corn to cattlt
with uncertain prospects.
There was an increase of $4,000 cat
tie in December compared with Deem
Der, 1908. In most of the other month.
cattle receipts decreas ed.
The supply of calves for the year wa
close TO 10000. This was a little les
than the previous year.
GENERAL FEATURES FOR 1909.
Valuation of all LIE. stock received
al Chicago for the year was sS3oe14,
200, which was by far the greatest sine
included hogs to the value of $1,000,
600 received outside of the yards b.
packers direct.
Receipts of hogs were the smalles
since 1898, the total being 6,619,01S. AM
cattle receipts were the smallest sine
1890 80
In spite of the big decrease in ho
receipts for the year the higher pric
they brought at market made tn
years valuation about s17.O00,00
more than last year.
Beef cattle, lambs and calves brok