Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-03
LIVE STOCK PRICES
/ N SHARP ADVANCE
Steers and Hogs Marketed
at Better Levels bvping
Last Week.
By FRANK I. WELLER,
Associated Press Farm Editor.

New high tops all through the list Of
strictly granted steers and yearlinss
has sent the country scurrying into the
market for stockers and .feeders-the
little cattle which will make the Me-
tons future beef supply.
Yearling steers sold up to $685.,
carrying all the better grades along at
the rate of IS to so cents advance over
prices week ago.
Evidence of strength in the upper
brackets where prices have advanced
81 to 81 since the low time in MAY en-
couraged replacement buying and de-
mand became broader than at any time
OF the season. Prices worked at least
Is cents higher all through the list of
thin stock with Illinois and Iowa buy
ing rather freely. In addition to some
Michigan and Ohio were in the market.
Cattle Demand Broader.
For the first time in weeks 1t could
be said that the demand for stock
cattle was broader than the supply.
this being especially suggestive because
supply figures have showed emphatic
expansion. Until three weeks ago the
outbound movement of thin stuff was
decidedly under that of year ago. The
country's evident decision to feed for
next years market, due in some meas
ure to the lowest grain prices In
memory, is reflected in the fact that
from July / to II the seven big feed
ing States took IL 900 head, compared
with $4,000 a year earlier.
Thin, light natives have predominated
by long odds, selling largely at $3.50 to
$500. There has been meager move
ment out of the dried-out regions Of
Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas.
The more favorable sections of Wyo-
ming and Northern Nebraska got lot
OF cattle from the drought country and
now grass Is getting so short there that
the trade believes q glut of thin West
ems may show up any time.
The weeks advance accentuated the
relative scarcity of strictly grained-fed
steers. No doubt recent advances have
caused some flnishers to hold cattle for
still better money, but marketings all
over the country pretty clearly show
that the seasons crop has been mar
keted and that the scurry for this type
offerings may continue
How well the price may carry on Is
another matter. Most of the current
upturn came in the face Of a rather
sluggish beef market. Unless the out
let improves prices may be near the
cracking point, except on choice, light
yearlings and strictly choice steers
ment In the latter has been evident for
three weeks.
Shippers have been the mainstay of
the market on weighty bullocks, while
all interests wanted light steers and
yearlings, especially light heifers and
mixed yearlings scaling under $50
pounds.
Hog Prices Gain.
In contrast with last weeks market.
there was good cleanup of hogs each
day, and prices, under light loadings.
advanced 40 to IS cents, with packing
! sows, which now average 40 to so per
cent Of the run, advancing IS to 40
cents. The top on hogs is equal to
the highest peak since the middle of
March and within 10 cents of the top
for the year. A year ago the market
was on the threshold of an advance
| which carried prices up almost 50 in two
weeks, but full repetition of such a
bounce in values is not generally an
/ ticipated this year
A sharply higher fresh pork market
| az Chicago had much influence on
prices, although Eastern markets failed
to advance materially.
Sheep and lamb advances early in
the week following improvement in the
dressed trade were substantial, but
peak prices were not maintained. this
| being reflected in draggy market and
| unvenly lower foot prices as the week
closed. Late prices, however, still show
25 to so cents above last Thursday on
fat lambs. Fat sheep and yearlings are
mostly so cents higher. the shortage of
the supply probably being responsible
| for maintenance of the advance.