Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-03

inning the first three days of the week
securing an advance all around OF 15M
25c but packers got in their work the
remaining three days, checking the
gain.
A boost back to $3.50 for some prime
western wethers marks a feature in the
sheep trade this week, which Is the best
( price since last May While the top on
lambs at $50 for the week is under a
few weeks ago
Prices may be considered remarkable
b because of the gains noted despite the
Increase in receipts, but some Of the
advance was scored because of stormy
conditions which interfered with traffic.
Buffalo had the higher market under
light run and best sold at $3.50, the
highest of the week. but the eastern
appreciation seemed to have little or no
influence on the local trade, probably
because of the fairly liberal receipts
able to get all they need without any
extra effort, consequently limiting their
buying here when possible.
hundred and five thousand sheep
were estimated to arrive this week but
over $4,000 have been offered for sale,
against S2.492 a year ago for the same
period and 124,S75 last week A year
ago sheep We're quoted at 81 and lambs
at $3.50; two years ago lambs $7.15 and
sheep at S..
The lower turn of the market Thurs
'day and today has taken all the bloom
that appeared on the market during the
first half Of the week off the heavy and
poor to medium grades of killing lambs.
su n now selling in practically the same
notches as a week ago, but finish
where combined with hardness Of
weight, has commanded more respect
TINS week and still hold a 10 to 15c
higher basis than week ago when
packers were stopping at $7.S5 and
Shippers were Dreaming the crop at
1870. Feeding lambs have sold through
out the week on a steady to strong
basis.
Matured muttons Of desirable class
and good yearlngs hold a basis large /
~ 10 to l5c higher than a week ago,
with spots in the trade close to 25c up,
though the market is closing much less
edgy and 10 to 15c lower on many than
at high time of the week. /
considering supply figures, sellers
nave had no fault to find with the mar
ket. Chicago has received nearly 131, 900
mead this week, or 5000 more than last
week and $4,000 more than the light
run OF a year ago. Other western mar
kets, however. outside of Omaha, have
been modestly supplied, the snow
piockade early in the week shutting off
shipments from many sections from
other points. The five day total at six
western markets is : about $4,000,
against $4,000 last week and 216,OCO a
year ago. Light receipts east kept ship
ping demand in that direction wide
open most Of the week and that demand
at last week, has been strong prop
under the market, though packers were
also Tree buyers the first half Of the
week. the market for stock on foot then
trade
There has been an unsatisfied call for
Dig weight sheep. Few such are coming
and there is a small but urgent estab-
lshed demand for limited number Of
heaVy muttons and scarcity has per-
mltted them to command a premium,
several small punches Of prime big
weight native ewes having sold I'D to
$3.50, equaling the extreme top reached
oy strictly choice 133-lb. Colorado-fed
western wethers which sold early on !.
Thursday at that figure, high point
since May. This call for heavy sheep
1as Influenced weighty bucks to a
sharply higher level, a good many fat
native bucks having reached $3.50 this
week. or soc higher than a week ago.
That many feeders are not lacking
confidence in the future is indicated by +
their activity in feeding lambs. A good
many hay-fed Montana feeders have
cen offered this week and they have
been taken promptly up to 81 to s7.225 ]
or bulk Of the so to 70-lb weights.
;ome 40 to 50 pound stuff having sold
1t $3.50 to $3.50 and a load Of we'll
inished Montana wheat-fed lambs went
'ut as shea-ers ny to $3.50
To get away FROM tax assessments on
March l and encouraged by the good
lotion Of the market here the fore part ,
# this week, Colorado feeders have
'een loading freely for next weeks
market and that the heaviest run of {
he season will reach Chicago from that
ource next week is assured Quite a
title Idaho and Montana stuff is also
nroute and market prospects look none
o bright.