Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-04

Chicago, Jan. 4.-Heavy steers were
strong. The top was $3.50, paid for two
loads Of prime weighty steers.
High prices are bringing out some
short-fed distillery stuff, a load Of
steers, averaging only 977 pounds, SELL
ing here at $685.. and load Of 1916
pound 'stiller bulls at $3.50.
AS many of the old-time traders
agree trade in beef steers started the
year 1912 at the highest prices ever
paid here at the opening Of year. It
is still fresh in the minds Of many
traders what occurred to the high mar
ket for beef cattle in 1909 as result
CT the high cost Of beef shutting off
consumption and buyers Of every class
Of cattle now are wailing at the high
cost Of the stuff on the hooks and that
it will have to be sold at prices that
endanger continuation Of good outlet.
For the first half the week supply
at six points stands 10000 head.
against $4,000 same time last week
which included the Christmas holiday
and 101 1000 at same points for same
time last year.
A measure Of the good condition Of
trade as compared with former years
Is shown by a top price yesterday at
$3.50, s1.45 higher than one year ago.
Just 81 higher than was paid here two
years ago this week, $1.75 higher than
three years ago and $2.15 higher than
four years ago-for steers and butcher,
cattle also selling relatively HIGHER.
Hogs.
Hogs were strong TO cents higher.
with indications that yesterdays price
would prevail at the close The top was
s6.27k. /
No one is especially bullish on hog
market prospects. High-costing corn
continues to keep the porcine crop
moving well out Of growers hands. In
spite Of the great mortality among fall
pigs caused by cholera scourge the I'M
preston gains credence that after all
there will be enough hogs to 20 the
without forcing prices materially
higher.
Eventually. however, the pig crop
loss must must be taken into account
and given it's due consideration. az
affecting supplies Even tho the coun-
try did produce a great crop Of pigs,
cholera killed OF . heavy percentage
of them. and IN many sections the pig
crop was almost comepletely lost. This
can not help but have effect on future
supplies. and once the shortage il felt
there must certainly DE some little bui .
fish trend Of prices.
1t is the high cost Of production, &C.,
ing as an inducement for generous
shipping, which is bringing hogs down
close to $3.50, country basis. Shorter
cattle feeding than a year ago has in
duced many hog owners to sell of their
holdings as soon as they were ready
for market because Of the high cost IA
make weight gains on corn diet at a
stiff price Tor the corn. Hogs are still!
relatively higher than the cost Of nm
ished products as represented in pro-
vision options. This situation also
tends to create little uneasiness
among the provision dealers.
January will bring out big crop OF
hogs. The first three days marketings
we'll indicate this, and February run,
too. promises to be heavy. Along about
April and May, however. there is PROS
pect that hogs will be hogs" and the
prices will be better.
Combined receipts Of hogs at eleven
markets Wednesday totaled -l22, 900. G.
4o,sOO more than a week ago. $4,000
more than year ago and $500 more
than the corresponding Wednesday tw c
years ago. Every market but Cleve-
land received more than a week age
ard all Of them were credited with
, more than a year ago. Total the frs;
half of this week. 2s1.o 00s or 145.0Gt
| more than the same time last week
100000 more than the like period a year
ago and $4,000 more than the cores
ponding three days two years ago.
| Sheep.
| Sheep and lambs were active. One
| load of prime lambs went at 1910.