Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-14
LIBERAL RECEIPTS AND STALE
SUPPLY CAUSE PRICES TO
SEEK LOWER LEVELS.
TEN THOUSAND HEAD
uNsoLp ON TUESDAY
Top For Day s14.so. With Bulk Selling
Under SAYS Cattle Offerings
Scarce and Market Holds Firn-No
Urgent Call For Sheep-Review Of
Market Conditions-Current Prices.

ings. including 10000 left over last
night unsold. eased off prices today
in the hog market. Top was 1850, but
most sales were under l4.75
Packers had reckoned with a multi
tude Of fat hogs at all market centers
during the first half of the year, but
they are rarely right in their forecasts,
and deficiency in tonnage. owing to
high cost Of corn, is factor not to
be ignored. A load of 300-pound hogs
at any western market is rare and
eastern growers have adopted the poll
icy of cashing at light weights. The
moment drove of hogs reaches 200
pounds the average grower betrays
anxiety to convert them into cash-a
logical policy, as he is fearful OF over
feeding dollar corn. There will be a
run of hogs right along, but few in
the trade believe that receipts will be
heavy enough to materially depress
values. Europe is taking all kinds of
hog products in enormous quantities
and consumption Of fresh pork has
never been as large or insistent.
Eleven markets received $1,000 hogs
Tuesday, or 21,400 more than last
Tuesday, 1000 more than a year ago
and 1920 less than two Years ago.
Total thus far this week $4,000. or
$4,000 more :han same period last
week. 10000 less than like time last
year and $4,000 less than correspond
ing twn days two years age. Total Ger
1917 10 date 7,o7s,000, or $4,000 less
than same period 1918 and $4,000
more corresponding time 1915.
Cattle.
Cattls were scarce
Killers are making no attempt to
conceal a broad need for everything
which can be converted into fair TO
good beef, Notwithstanding the fact
that they are holding a considera bly,
increased amount Of beef in storage as
compared with this period a week ago
Federal figures On frozen beef in stor-
age March l were given as 157.I0i.s21
pounds. against l2i.a53s22 pounds a
year ago. while compared with the Feb.
l stocks this year the supply shows
1875 per cent decrease and cured beef
decreased s per cent
Stocks now IN storage were put up at
cheap prices. and their
sale at this time is netting the owners
profits. A comparison Of
present wholesale prices with those of
a few months back. when this beef was
put into storage. is only needed to veri-
fy this statement. Storage beef. how
ever. ia not moving freely, since IL is
apparent that killers are looking ahead
to greater scarcity Of cattle in the next
few months. and doubtless they are
holding a generous part Of their stor-
age stocks to meet expected broad con-
sumner demand at that time
1t is apparent that killers can be as
bullish on beef market prospects as
feeders with respect to fat cattle
prices late this spring and in summer
and few. indeed, are looking
upon present record values for steers
as likely to prove anywhere near as
high as those which viii come n later
months.
Fat beef west is scarce and viii be
for long time. Barring pulp fed
crop now moving the bulk Of the good
beef supply is in local territory and
bullish fever is gripping owners.
Beef trade reports are encouraging 70
a free movement of product both here
and in the east and the opinion has
long since been formed in. the trade
that the one restricting factor this sea-
son will be consumers purchasing
power. and whether this mas reached
its maximum is yet to be determined.
Eastern beef trade is considerably inn
proved. according to the federal report.
native steer carcasses at New York be-
ing cashed today so cents higher than
last Friday, and food rioting" has run
its course.
Sheep.
There was no urgent call for sheep.