Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-01
LIVE STOCK MARKET
FEATURED BY HOGS
Swine Prove Important Fac
tor in Producing Profit
for Growers.
BY FRANK E. MOORE.


the saving factor on the profit side
of the ledger for livestock producers
during the past year. Swine, after an
unsatisfactory 1928 season, were most
important source of revenue, offsetting
in price gains the losses sustained in
cattle and sheep.
1t was year of decreasing receipts
of animals at market, but one of in
creasing returns in the aggregate. Ar
rivals of cattle at the Chicago market
which is the country's central exchange
we're the smallest since 1915, at 2, 10000
for the first IL months. The sheep run
while the 1927 900 hogs which arrived
were pol 900 fewer than last year.
So far as aggregate valuation Is cnr-
cerned, the farmers received more
money for their stock this year than
last. They suffered a loss in cattle,
where an average recession Of so cents
per 100 on beef steers was encountered,
causing decreased returns of about
100000. Sheep also lost about $780,
600, but these decreases we're more than
offset by the higher prices paid for hogs.
Prices in this department held about 81
above year ago on the average. This put
more than $18,000,0 900 more in farmers
| pockets than in 1928, so that the aggre-
gate return above last year On stock
marketed in Chicago was about &c.,
| 100000. The total value Of live STOCK
received here this year was $500 COO, 000
the largest since 1925.
| Cattlemen Caught.
| 1t was an unusual year for the
cattleman. The business of feeding beef
stock for market did not turn cut as
! tnIAI h. L.
| expected. Prices averaged lower for
nearly every month in the year when
compared with 1928. The snrinkage
was not so much on account Of liberal
receipts, as because demand was Jess
brisk from leading packers. In spite of
the fact that industrial conditions were
good and the country prosperous, cattle
buyers reported sluggish demand for
beef. A close analysis revealed that
retailers advanced prices so sharply
that consumers turned to cheaper COM
modities.
During the first two months of the
year the market slipped tff sharply,
! but recovered some in The Summer
on smaller supplies. Then again il
I the Fall there was a slump. Failing
to get in at high tide, many feeders
held their cattle for possible advance
In the meantime, the stock accumulated
weight and became still less desira ole.
THIS stuff sold at decided loss later.
The January top was SIT, which
dropped to $14.60 in March, but re-
appeared again in August and Septem.
Der. In November $l3 ard $14 would
buy as good heavy steers as any packer
would want. but choice yearlings still
topped at SIS. This strength Of year
lings was accounted for by the fact
that packers could dispose of light
weight carcaSses more readily than
heavy kinds. For the first IL months
the average price of beef steers was
$3.50, compared with $14 In 1928 and
$11.60 in 1927.
Good Demand for Stock.
Most of the year there was good
demand for "she" stock. In order TO
| cheaper the cost of beef, buyers took
: to butcher animals more freely when
! they neglected steers. The average price
for cows and heifers was $685.. against
$3.50 last year. Bulls likewise Scld
actively throughout and averaged bet
ter than in 1928 because they were
scarce and demand broader. The in
crease in hot dog" dispensarics along
automobile routes greatly increased the
call for bologna material and packers
were rushed to get enough to supply
the demand.
A decrease of 10000 in the calf supply
during the first IL months devel0po d
good action in that market and caused
Vealers to sell readily. The market was
about IN line with year ago. Many
good calves went at SIG to S13 at the
high period. with the bulk of the packer
class at $l3 to SIC during most OF the
year.
Discouraged with prices received for
rat beef steers, farmers did not show the
active interest in stockerS and feeders
lie GNcf fNf kN,,cs
ness In this department was done during
the second half of the year, after the
range cattle appeared. Prices were
sharply lower than in 1928, but this fact
ialled to stimulate action. Country
buyers were inclined to economic by
taking lighter weight steers than usual.
Inc years business was about 10 per
cent smaller than in 1928 and the price
range so cents lower.
Hogs Higher.
Moderate receipts of hogs proved a
telling factor in holding prices at
higher level. Demand was uniformly
strong from packers and broad inquiry
from Eastern shippers kept competition
Leading packers started a campaign
early in the year to keep the market
down. Their strongest ammunition
I was expended in building concentration
points in the West to assemble swing
purchases direct from the producer BY
this means they hoped to reduce compe-
luton at leading markets and get their
hogs cheaper. AT Chicago alone they
received l,975,000 hogs direct, which
amounted to ~ per cent of the receipts
Tor the first IL months.
But despite this strategy the market
averaged higher than last year, showing
a gain OF about 81 hundred on the
average. Prices averaged for the year
about $1045.
The year started with best hogs SELL
ing at $9.25, the low prices being
legacy from the previous season. Dur
ing Spring months when receipts drop
ped the market moved up and best hogs
went for $3.50 in July, which was the
peak price of the year. Later the heavy
movement depressed the market and
prices In November were back to the
January level. A lack of hogs In Eastern
territory stimulated shippers and pack
ers were not able to hold prices down
very long In spite of generous importa-
tons direct from the country. Lack
OF activity in the lard market caused
packers 10 avoid the excessively heavy
hogs most of the year, while broad
demand for pork loins stimulated the
call Tor hogs that averaged IT'S to $50
pounds.
Copyright. 1900