Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-06
INCREASE IN MEAT !
PRICES PREDICTED
Cattle Advance Is Expected
to Continue-Hog VAL
ueS Rise.
BY FRANK I. WELLER,
Associated Press Farm Editor.

PreSuming that the worst is over so
far as the depression is concerned. It
appears that meat prices are headed
for higher rather than lower levels.
Cattle, following last weeks runaway
market. have clicked off another lively
trading period in the face of 10000
head heavier receipts. Seemingly past
the seasons low point, hogs held steady
with last weeks close in all classes de-
spite an increase of almost 200 900
head on IL principal markets. and
sheep closed 25 cents above last weeks
values in the face Of almost 100000
more in receipts.
Marketing at Peak.
This is the time of year when mar
keting of all classes of meat animals
Is at its peak. It is a time OF year
when prices, as rule, are lowest Yet
the decline this year has been less than
usual, despite unfavorable general busi-
ness conditions. Statistically, the posi-
ton OF the meat industry is strong,
with the outlook, from the standpoint
Of prospective profits for producers. at
least better than the average.
Values are below those of a year ago,
but still strong considering economic
conditions. report by Armours
Lave stock Bureau says that each unit
Of live stock owned at the present time
Will bring about 20 per cent more in
terms OF other commodities than the
average for the l92l-I924 period.
Unless all signs fail, the bureau says,
live stock marketed during coming
months will make good money, particu-
Iarly II there Is improvement in the
general business situation and in en-
ployment. It cannot be escaped that
meat prices will be determined largely
by the ability of the consumer to buy.
Changes During Week.
Much Of the immediate future of
cattle will depend on what the dressed
trade does next week, when the 124
carloads of beef animals exhibited at
the International Live Stock Show get
into trade channels
Commercial shippers, knowing the
snow stock would be sold this week In
competition with regular receipts. with
held their better animals for next
weeks market AS a result well finished
yearlings dropped only about IS cents
under last weeks exceptionally good
prices. and the general run Of light
STOCK dropped but Is to 40 cents. Me-
dium to good light mixed and heifer
yearlings fell off rs cents to $3.50 be-
cause of a glutted market. but medium
and heavy steers closed steady at last
weeks high time.
The ability of the trade to keep down.
turns so relatively small testified to at
least temporary strength and activity in
the market, 1t reflected also a better
undertone than the sluggish condition
OF the dressed trade and the weeks lib
eral increase in receipts would suggest.
In fact, the attitude of the beef market
led to some belief that much of this
weeks live steer trade was on a more
or less false basis, stimulated almost
entirely by shipper outlet on the better
i'll ~.
else along with them.
The condition Of the dressed trade is
against too much enthusiasm. for unless
tnat market broadenS there has been
comparatively little to substantiate such
a relatively high trade as has developed
during the last two weeks.
All OF this activity on the best heavy
cattle indicated that the old crop Of
welghty steers evidently is coming to a
close; that killers are insisting. now
that shortfeds are running rather
freely, that cattle be bought on their
beef merits, and that from now on the
premium commanded by yearlings may
be relatively small
Supplies of hogs early in the week
were the largest of the season. and
prices dropped Is to rs cents before a
subsequent broadening of shipper de-
mand and curtailment of receipts all
lowed prices to regain more than they
had lost The fresh-pork market i'm
proved some in Eastern points early in
the week. Old observers are inclined to
believe hog prices will work up from
now on, although they do not expect
anything like a runaway marke. While
pork loins were 81 to So lower t Chi
cago this week they sold equally that
much higher in New York.
Lamb Market.
Alternate days of activity and de-
preston featured the lamb market dur
ing the first four days of the calendar
week, the close seeing a ascent gain
as compared with Friday of last week,
Just what part of the Chicago in
crease in receipts could be attributed
to the International Live Stock Show
and what part to a gesture by the
country to unload at last weeks salts
factory level of prices was difficult
to say.
Undoubtedly the show exerted con-
influence on all phases of the
live and dressed markets, and it will
take at least two more weeks to see
just where values are on the basis of
actual supply and demand