Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-08
|u1|lE Strength
N HOG MARKET
SHIPPERS AND SPECUlAToRS
FAIL TO GET INTO BIDDING
GAME.
UNCERTAINTY IN EAST
CAUSES HESITATION
Demand For Cattle, Sheep and Lambs
Confined Largely to Packers-cau-
ton in Marketings Still Necessary
to Preserve Present Prices-Review
of Market Conditions.

Chicago, Feb. S.-Not much strength
developed in the hog market today,
shippers and spectators holding OH
because of guarantees in yards.
Receipts of hogs at Chicago STOCK
yards for the week totaled l6l,loo,
decrease of $4,000 compared with the
previous week, 800 compared with
same week last year and an increase
of 11.600 compared with corresponding
week two years ago
Estimated average weight of hogs at
Chicago for the week vas 223 pounus'
the same as last week. two POUNDS
lighter than same week last year ana
six pounds lighter than corresponding
week two years ago. Despite the COM
paratively light weight OF animals pc
ing marketed, the quality holds up 10
q high standard and extremely weishty
offerings are going al a discount
Top hogs at CHICAGO for the week
1926, against $7.15 the previous week,
1915 a year ago and SN.la two years
ago Average price figured $500. the
highest since first week of January,
80 cents higher than last week, sL55
lower than year ago and so cents
lower than two years ago.
Chicago hog receipts were surpris-
inglv large but at many of the other
western market offerings were much
lighter than last Saturday. Total re-
ceipts at eleven markets Saturday
footed 1850. making 10000 for the
week. or 5000 less than the previous
week. 202, 600 more than year ago and
22S 900 more than two years ago. Total
for 1915 to date 3,627,0o0. or 657 900
more than same period 1914 and $4,000
more than cores ponGng time 1919.
Cattle.
Demand for cattle vas confined
chiefly to packers.
The sharp break since last Wednes-
day has been a convincing demonstra-
ton of how unstable the market is
under present conditions. Until the
eastern outlet is reopened no improve
rnent is possible. Competition is the
life Of trade and in the case of the
cattle market is essential TO ACTIVITY.
Not only has this element been lacking,
hut beef trade conditions are anything
but healthy. supply has been liberal
the six western markets having had
1873 900 in five days. against 10000 the
previous week and ll0,0e0 a Year a@o-
The local run is but 2l.e0o. or half that
of last week. put following the shipping
embargo Iowa stuff was rushed TO Kan
sas CITY and, at the critical moment
Kansas quarantined against the Stpcker
movement. causing serious CONGESTION
at thar point. tbs VIII probably be
relieved this week but what th@ trade
needs al this juneture Is raising the
embargo on shipments AT ChlcaSa.
Eastern killers have been unable 10 nlE
at Missouri river markets. pa irei-ht
tolls and compete with packers in the
dressed market. mt once they are able
10 replenish their coolers by satisfying
their cattle needs here. this disability
VIII he removed
a year ago the market was shlmpy.
Compared with January hieh spot. de-
probation ranged from ga 50 cents per
cwt, middle srades Showing most Of
the decline The market was slutted
wiki s7.60mS25 bulloclis. while choice
cat1le were scarce and quotable To $3.50
and cheap killing stuff was Getting
keen competition from feeders.
Sheep.
Call for sheep and lambs came large
ly from packers.
Dressed trade has not improved any,
needed TO ill trade requirements. Quail
itv was good, but the number of prime
light weight animals was never of sat
isfactory volume Prices at the high
time Of the week were higher than
any time last year, and If receipts con-
tinue moderate buyers will find it hard
work to cause a reaction. Small con-
Germs did little buying in this division
and the big packers purchased practi-
cally everything.
Feeders who were reluctant to follow
the thin sheep market last summer are
now nursing red-eyed regret. Every
thing taken out has made substantial
profit Initial cost was high. but a
big price has been paid for the gain
and therein lies the secret of profitable
feeding. Ii has been an excellent sea-
son for making gains counterbalancins
high cost of feed Altho the spread
between ewes and wethers has been
somewhat llogically wide, both classes
have made money.