The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-07-12
LIVE STOCK, MARKET
National Stock Yards, July 3.
Receipts and Comparisons.


Cattle ........ 1900 $500
rlogs .....,.. .lO,0O0 $4,000
Sheep ........ $500 $500
CATTLE.-While the general sit
uation as regards the selling basis
shows the market to average several
notches below this period week ago
with the sole exception of the strictly
good to prime beeves, the feeling in
the trade is muchly improved over
last week, due to the fact of the gen.
eral curtailment in the influx of re-
ceipts. The shrinkage in supplies has
lent corresponding good tone to the
market from all viewpoints, and it is
safe to presume that were beef not on
the restricted list of consumption that
the present weeks decrease in vol
ume would have resulted in a generous
upturn in selling values. Neverthe-
less it must not be construed that
strength has not been manifest, fer
1T has been, steersNof all varieties ad-
vancing fully 10c to 15c so far this
week, with butcher cattle stronger,
leaving the general market on steer
cattle, which constitutes the common
to pretty good grass and short-fed
varieties, not more than 25c lower
than a week ago, very best beeves
steady, while the rank and file of
butcher cattle, Gamers, mixed stuff
and bulls are about 25c to 35c lower
than the time in question. =
Due to the scarcity of prime grain
beef we do not for one moment sus-
pect otherwise than free steady ba-
sis to prevail for such varieties, but
when we come to the common and in
between classes of cattle, which from
now on will constitute about 80 per
cent of receipts, it will be a different
proposition entirely. OF course the
volume of receipts from week to week
will dictate the fluctuations in the
market, and as a natural consequence
of the abundance of such classes of
cattle at this season of the year,
which means a wide differential be-.
tween the good, bad and Indifferent
kinds, and we can see no reason why
this season should be an exception.
In fact, owing to the abnormal prices
that are prevailing, there is always
that chance under the circumstances
of big break and cattle still be high
from a consumers standpoint.
HOGS.-The fact that today's top,
for choice light and medium-weight
hogs was $1705; yesterday $1710; a
week ago $16.65; and two weeks ago
SIT, shows what we would term it.,
the treacherous condition of this trade.
The facts are, the market continues
along the same unsettled conditions
as it has week after week, one period
indicating a generous demand at the
prices which ruled high, due to de-
cided falling off in receipts, yet. the
following week apparently the de
mand was very limited when receipts
ruled burdensome. There is no ques-
ton from all the information at hand
but what there is broad call and
outlay for pork products on all ac-
counts, but the condition Of the mar
ket has been dominated freely through
the receipt proposition, and it is our
opinion that as long as receipts in
crease and decrease as they have been
that the market will continue to main
tain its erratic condition. Stabilizing
receipts, if such a thing were possible
and practicable, would go long ways
toward eliminating the violent changes
in the market, and. it would go a long
ways in furnishing a uniform situa-
ton to all concerned. # e
SHEEP. This trade has been
swayed in both directions through the
leverage of receipts. This depart
ment, like hogs, has at times had ov-
,er-supplies, then again moderate runs.
The run the past week has been Of
fair volume, early week prices indi-
eating weakness, but this has been fol-
lowed by recovery and the, present
trade is about In line with the CORE
spending day Of last week. When the
supply is ample buyers have sorted
very deeply in their buying. In fact
have culled very deep on all. their pur-
chases, paying price for the top end
looking steady, yet the facts were that
they made it mean at least 25c decline
in the actual condition Of the market,
though this would not be indicated on
the top end as we have mentioned.
The present market is fairly satisfac-
tory. However, If receipts do not
come too heavy later in the week, at
should leave the trade in fairly sub
stantial shape for next weeks mar
kct, s "a