Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-24

from shippers and from many small
packers put decided strength today in
to hog prices. Mixed and heavier held
up to $13.
| Friday, or 1880 less than last Friday
11,7O0 less than year ago and $4,000
less than two years ago. Total thus
far this week 56S,0O0, or $4,000 less
! than same period last week, $4,000 less
| than like time last year and 24,o0U
more than corresponding five days two
years ago. Total for 1917 to date o.
$50, 1000, or SO4,GeO less than same period
1915 and $4,000 more than correspond
ing time 1915.
Receipts for the first five days of the
week total about 1S1,7OO head, being
$500 less than same. days last week
400 more than a year ago and 42,3oV
more than corresponding period two
years ago. More than one-third Of the
offerings for the week thus far were re-
ceived for the Monday trade, and since
that day receipts have been light caus-
ing higher market. -
Cattle quotations were almost NOM
inal.
Pressure Of public sentiment, keenly
averse to rising costs OF food products,
is weighing heavily upon the market
situation. Lenten abstinence is Sec
ondary consideration as factor in
weakening the trade. Packer buyers
foresaw the bad situation and have
smashed prices at the outset this week.
when a big run was at hand Had they
been given another liberal dose in mid
week a follow UP of bearish action
would have been shown.
IN view Of the bad beef situation
east, which is not probable Of getting
better right away. cautious move
ment Of cattle into the market is i'm
perativeif values are to be sustained.
Railroads are showing ability to de-
liver number of cars for hauling to
the Monday market and not other days,
and the fact that they are making a
"one day market of It at this time is
detrimental to the best interests OF
feeders and shippers. With the latter
it is a case Of securing cars when they
can and are holding cattle in many
instances for two weeks or more fol-
lowing the ordering of cars, the shipper
Is DESTROYS Of getting his stuff to mar
ket as soon as possible once he can
secure cars. .r.
establishment Of a s12.25 top in
midweek by no means makes that price
quotable figure now. The trade is
getting so few very choice beeves, how
ever, that. top prices can well be ex-
pected to be sustained around $1,000
indefinitely in spite Of the weaker beef
market An outlet always exists, even
in Lent, for few very choice beeves,
and there is small chance of them
having sympathetic weakness in de-
mand along with the intermediate
classes.
Trade guesses on the run next Mon
day were all the way up to $1,000, pro.
viding the railroads can deliver cars at
loading points. A generous run Of stuff
is moving this way from points west of
the Missouri river, and in many Iowa
and South Dakota sections cattle have
been held back for several weeks on
account OF car shortage. and these are
pound to move freely, owners being de-
sirous of shutting off big feed bills.
Total run in five days this week stood
81, 400, against 56,050 a week ago and
47,263 a year ago. At seven markets
the supply totaled $4,000 for the week
to date, against 100000 a week ago
and 141,0G0 year ago.
Sheep.
Nearly all the sheep that arrived
went direct 10 killers
The lamb market has lived up tc
first week of Lent traditions this week
Dressed trade here and in the east has
been very sluggish and, altho the wool
market seems to be gaining strength
every day. demand for lambs has
shown material curtailment. Loca
packers have been low set, local butch
ers have done very little and eastern
shipping call has been light. Receipts
locally, around one-third Of which have
comprised direct packer consign
ments and spectators purchases II
the west, have been about $500 larger
this week than last, .aitho combined re.
ceipts at seven western points for the
| week to date are $4,000 less than iik'
period last week. 1t has been q lamt
run everywhere, however, and large
percentage Of the offering has beer
| either too weighty or lacking the finish
and dressing qualifications that buyers
naturally seek when paying present
prices.
The close on lambs OF killing class
shows 1O@25c declines from weel
ago. The top today was the same al
on Friday Of last week but quality Of
the $14.6o lambs superior to those a.
the price a week ago. Losses are mos
| marked on the heavy and strong weight
! classes and most Of such kinds show
5odS5c declines from the high tim'
last week, while the best handy weights
are within 40c Of that time. Feeders
have been scarce and have not beer
| involved in the decline.