Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-17

ment Of hogs this week brought prices
still nearer the &c goal. While 10000
head were looked for this week only
$4,000 arrived at the Chicago yards
against 152,065 year ago and 1928
last week. Mondays receipts were
$4,000 less than on the corresponding
Monday last year and 21,50O below
the average for the same day in five
years past. Following the smallest
weeks run since last July, that Is last
week, In itself suggests the futility OF
bearishness OF the part Of the packers.
While no one contends that the 1913
crop has been exhausted, present
movements of ,porkers at least sug-
gest certainty of impending scar
city in such supply contraction and
1T certainly demonstrate the independ-
ence of he&producers position.
This weeks top at 1915 is Toe
above January low day for the year.
rover than va year there being only
about &c spread between the top and
average against 27c spread year ago.
Yesterdays market was perhaps the
best Of the week, clearances being
good and all around about the best
In quality. The advance this week is
gre/eest on mixed hogs where 2O@25c
Light weights come next with about
22Rc; heavy and roughs zoe, and the
in-betweens 5@10c.
For the same period year ago, the
top was 1915 and two years ago $715.
Top prices for lambs was boosted
to the Scent again this week compared
with 1885 week ago and that ofnative
wethers back to $3.50. Trade as a
whole has been in favor of the seller.
Eastern market conditions have not
improved any and though receipts at
the western markets are moderate and |
under year ago. Shorn lambs from
Colorado and Utah have put in their
class selling at $3.50 and heavier up
to 112 pounds at Sc. Shearing is on
in earnest and many more are in
sight for next week from the nearby
feeding stations.
The top at Buffalo this week is re-
1926 which are relatively low COM
ported at $500 and at Pittsburgh at
pared with the Chicago basis.
Receipts this week run about $4,000
beyond the preliminary figures given,
the total being 117,20o as against 1885,
3Gs week ago and $4,000 for the
same period year ago. Top of sheep
a year ago was 1925 and two years ago
S5.75. Lambs 1915 year ago and
$7.45 two years ago. f,. ~.
Increased receipts at Chicago this
week has been more than offset by
smaller runs at outside markets and
prices are showing steady to 15c
higher level than a week ago, the ad-
vance being limited practically to good
to best hand y-weight lambs and choice
to prime wethers and handy ewes.
Heavy lambs have lost all their early
week advance and heavy sheep, with
the exception of a few loads Of prime
class, sold Thursday on much the same
basis as week ago. Yearlings have
been In light receipt and have shown
little change in value from week ago.
The trade Is inclined to look upon
frothy character. Top lambs sold here
on parity with Buffalo prices, dress
ed mutton trade down east has failed
to improve materially and the general
looks top heavy A moderate
check in marketings, however. for next
week at this juncture appears probable
and the selling side is hoping that the
a retention, at least, Of current prices,
which, high as they are relative tol
eastern markets, are down to levels
which Colorado feeders cannot view in
a favorable light and which is causing
holders Of good sized bands on feed at
nearby feeding stations some worry.
To shear or not to shear is a question
that is disturbing the minds Of many.
This weeks prices for shorn stock haVeI
not been such as to encourage shearing
operations, with the possible exception
Of strong weight, heavy shearing
lambs, or the handler weights of good
shear capacity that need Is to 80 days
or more feed to make them ripe. Wool
is selling at good prices and apparent
ly going higher, but mutton market
are none too bright, insofar
as the late March and early April trade
at least is concerned, and shorn stock
Is now taking a discount of about $10
lis per cwt from the woolskins of like
killing class, a right good class Of
shorn lambs Of "a to Sc lbs having sold
here in recent sessions at $6.35@650
and $6.75 being considered as the limit
Of the market for shorn lambs of desir-
able weight and high finish. Some half
fat native stock is coming, however, to
sell down to $6.75@7, that could doubt
less be probably held, shorn and run
on grass
Shearing operations are under full
Roadway at big stations around Chi
cago and seasonable increase in re-
ceipts Of such stock is assured.
Montana ewes and lambs, mostly
hay-feds of common to medium killing
and feeder class have been much in
evidence here this week. Killers alb
sorbed most Of the ewes at s4.40@5
for a common grade on bull order up
fairly decent killers. Some grain
fed Montana ewes made $500 $50.
Most Of the Montana, Idaho and wy
oming hay fed lambs were of feeder
class and sold generally steady, largely
at $6.90@7.10, to a good demand.