Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-19
WEEKS REVIEW
OF LIVESTOCK

SOVIn ST FdulS MdICA 40s
tween a blizzard and a threatened
railroad strike the cattle market clos
ed last week in rather feverish con-
dition, and the blizzard was a greater
factor than thestrike prospects. Buy
ers for outside packers, who have
been giving the market much of Its
strength lately, were suddenly put out
of the trade by their inability to ship
cattle. This, with liberal marketing
at the close Of the week, considering
the untoward weather conditions, put
a stop to a steadily advancing market
that lifted prices on most grades OF
killing stock to the highest levels in
recent years. The first four days Of
the week saw prices advance Is 5@26c
above the high levels Of the previous
week. There the improvement halt
ed.
The first half Of the week receipts
showed fair gain over the first
three days Of the previous week. De-
spite the storm the latter half OF the
week, the volume Of marketing main
tanned the lead gained the first half:
Total receipts for the six days stand
at 16.100 cattle and calves compared
to $4,000 the previous week.
Not in many weeks has this market
seen so many steers selling at $500
II. A few odd head sold up to
the keen demand for choice beef that
exists at all markets. Competition on
steers was good on the $8@9.50 class
up to the last two days, when stocker
and feeder dealers practically with
drew from that trade. In their quest
for killing material early in the week
packers went after anything with
flesh, and in this way made good ac-
ton on feeder steers.
class were fully Csc higher than the
first Of the week. Fairish cows sold
from $6 to $6.75 and the medium
grades up to $3.50. For anything
really good packers had to pay So
and more, and quite a lot sold at $3.50
@9, with few head up to $3.50 and
even higher. Cutters and Gamers
were 15@25c higher for the week,
cutters moving up to Sc and Gamers
to $3.50.
Bulls were slowest to respond to the
upward movement, but by the end of
the week they were showing general
ly the full weeks gain. Demand was
broad and put prices right around
where they were at the recent high
spot. Butcher grades at the first Of
the week were selling at $7@7.50
mostly, but by the week end were at
good at So and up to $3.50. Bolognas
brought up to 81 as a rule, with only
lightweights under $3.50.
Veal calves continued the gains
started the week before and made a
net advance of $1.26 for the week.
This put top calves up to $12.25. Just
an even dollar under the record top
reached earlier in the year and $2.26
above the recent low mark.
Trade In stockers and feeders and
dairy cows. was in good shape the first
half Of the week, but the storm and
strike developments the last few days
took most Of the life out Of that busi-
ness.
Free marketing lowered hog prices
the past week until Saturday they
were 25 q soc lower than q week ago.
Thursday, when there was brief re-
action. Top price paid last week was
$14.40 against SASS the previous
week. This market had around 1O,-
600 more hogs than the previous
week, while nine markets reported
approximately 100000 more than
they had the week before. This ac-
counts mainly for the weakening
market. Pig trade held steady up to
Friday. when inability of railroads to
take outgoing stock sent prices down.
ward rapidly, and q loss for the week
Of fully 75c was registered.
Sheep trade was in large volume
and on better basis than the previ-
GUS week. Several fair sized lots of
lambs and sheep showed up here.
Early in the week a bunch Of Dakota
lambs Of superior quality sold at
$14.55, new high mark. Trade later
In the week advanced the price on top
hogs. 25c to $14.25. Sheep prices
changed little. fat ewes selling up to
$10:75, wethers at $11 and bucks at
$500.