Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
LIVE STOCK TRADE II
BRIGHTER THAN YEAR AGO
Market Review Presents Forecast of
Better Prices, With Increased De-
mand of Growing Population.

Toward the close best yearlings topped
at $l3.75, while fat steers weighing over
1900 pounds brought 50 to So less ,,
About so per cent of the years re-
ceiptS consisted of cows, heifers and
bulls. In this department the same
price trend was in evidence Although
beef obtained from cows and heifers
was OF cheaper grade the same dim
Guilty prevailed in selling 1t to the retail
trade. The bull market held better than
other butcher stock owing to a broader
demand for sausage created by "hot
dog" stands along automobile highways
The calf supply at $4,000 was 20 per
cent under last year and the smallest
since 1916. But prices were of SHARPLY
as in other divisions. -
Heavy Hogs In Demand.
The feature of the hog trade this
year was the uniform demand for heavy
weights, due to the low stocks of lard
AT times heavy hogs were more popular
than the lights, but good outlet for
fresh pork held the light and medium
weight butchers up most OF the season
Big packers had 81 per cent Of the
years supply sent direct to them and
this had some effect on the local de-
mand. Shippers and small packers
were relied upon TO take most Of the
C0Ans
mel was fairly good most Of the year.
At the close of the year all good hon
were selling at an unusually narrow
range, about 81 a hundredweight under
1929. This was partly due to the fact
that hogs of all weights were uniform
In quality owing to the good, quality Of
corn fed.
The average price of hogs sold DUR
Ing the flrst II months Of the year was
$685., compared with 5000 during 1929
and $3.50 in 1928. In 1925 the average
for the entire year was $3.50, and In
1923, the year of postwar defiation IN
livestock, the average dropped to &7.55.
In sheep the situation was unsatis-
factory throughout the year. Receipts
were increased IL per cent compared
with 1929. making q total much beyond
the requirements of the market. Then
the hangover from the previous year
was bad.
Bad Time for Lamb Feeders.
When the year started Colorado and
Nebraska were loaded up with 2.000. 900
lambs which had to be liquidated on a
demoralized market. An effort to hold
these lambs back for better prices re-
suited in production of overweights,
which only intensified the distress
When the season closed late in March
lamb feeders west Of the Missouri River
saw the end Of about the worst year
they ever had.
Developments proved that, as In the
cattle market, the feeder lambs had
been bought at excessive prices the
previous Fall. Many were purchased on
the range as feeders that sold for less
than the original price when they we're
fat. The California contingent that
arrived in April and May met O similar
situation. Buyers simply had too many
lambs for their outlet and prices were
cut to fit the demand. Even Spring
lambs in the Summer failed to reach
their usual high level, and when the big
crop from Kentucky and Tennessee
arrived the prices were pounded down
to a 15-year low.
The consensus in livestock trade
circles Is that the prospects for the
coming year are much more favorable
than they were for the year 1890.
A Government survey indicates that
cattle supplies are from Is to Is per
cent under a year ago. The number of
FEEDERS sent out from the major mar
KetS for replacement is 20 per cent
less. Population Is increasing, and log
caIly, as economic conditions improve.
there should be a better demand for
meats. Big packers take this view.
The hog market Is smaller than
year ago and stocks of lard and pro-
visions are low. With even normal
demand traders on both sides Of the
market look for improvement in prices.