Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-15
DEMAND STARTS OUT WELL At
OPENING BUT DOES NOT
LAST.
PRICES CLOSE At
FRIDAYS AVERAGE
Cattle Prices Almost Nominal But
Hiaher For Week Most Of Sheep
and Lambs Go Into Hands Of Single
Firm-Review of Market Conditions
Current Quotations.


started out well, but failed at the last
and an early advance was lost.
! Eleven markets received 55,400 hogs
Friday, or $1,000 less than last Friday
800 less than year ago and $4,000
less than two years ago. Total thus
far this week $4,000. $4,000 less than
same period last week. $4,000 less than
like time last year and 100000 less
than corresponding five days two years
ago. Total for 1915 to date 1868, 900,
or l,7S6,000 more than same period
1914 and 1,319,000 more than CORE
spending time 1913.
Cattle.
Cattle prices were almost nominal.
The market has acted well all week.
No apologies need be offered for the de-
mand situation. "A sharply higher trade
on light supply Monday could hardly be
expected 10 continue in force in mid
week, when a generous run came TO
hand, but the fact that ii was only the
heavies and the palmer grade light and
hand steers which cashed lower after
the initial session we'll emphasized
strong demand for beef
The market now is safely quotable
1Om25 cents higher than last week s
closing on all grades. least advance
being for the palmer qualities ana es-
pecially the weightier grades when
have come under killer ban by reason
Of their inability to sell this beef as
readily AS the light and handy car
caSSes.
Costs Of the rank and file of beef to
the killers has been advanced to high
est levels Of the year and advances In
wholesale costs have followed logically,
altho as yet there is no recession OF
consumer call either here or in the east
1t has been chiefly the cheaper cuts
which have had price boosts. but any
material further advance in top steer
costs will naturally force lighter rates
for the No. l cuts.
Whether the consumer can stand the
pace of higher costs on the butcher
block Is q question. While conditions
generally are more favorable than at
worst period Of Industrial depression
few months ago, II is still doubtful II
purchasing power Of the public can be
EXPANDED to meet the necessities OF
shar ply advancing cattle prices and not
| effect a decrease in beef consumption.
! The general market has had 500 10
cents advance over low point a few
weeks ago and the feeling exists no"
that, aside from the very prime handy
and heavy steers. this gain is going to
be about all for the time being. Such
situation, however. will depend upon
marketing sentim ent. Corn planting has
kept many cattle away from market In
the past two weeks, which will doubt
less be sent this way before long. and
a liberal percentage of heavies will be
among them. There is disposition to
ca sh feavies now as fast as they are
ready in order to get them out Of the
way before fly time, but in the case o.
unripe handy steers, good business pol
icy, in view Of the encouraging outlook
in the trade, would seem to dictate the
holding of that kind.
Sheep.
| Most of she sheep and lambs were
! in the hands Of single firm.
| Prices on the hoof have attained
such a high level that the market now
, is practically up to the consumer. AS
! long as he cares to buy the dressed
stock at prices high enough to allow
the butcher a profit the live stuff will
hold up we'll and even reach higher
levels than the record ones established
! today Packers showed no signs OF
bearishness, but that was undoubtedly
due to the short supply around the
circuit. However, it is only natural to
expect reactiaO at any time because
! there is limit somewhere. New York
received carcasses each Of lamb and
mutton from Argentina this week,