Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-26
DECLINE IN CATTLE.
PRICES IS NOTED
Hog Market Steady and
Lamb Commands Better
Return to Growers.
BY FRANK /. WELLER,
Associated Press Farm Editor.

The country has, for the moment, a
declining cattle market, a steady hog
market and rising lamb market.
Fed steers and yearlings are so cents
TO IS cents lower In price, heavies show
ing the most decline despite the fact
they have been the highest on most adj
VanceS heretofore. The situation proba-
bly, is due to the sluggish beef trade, be-
cause supplies of slaughtered cattle were
smaller this week than last.
The market has been running q lot
OF short fed steers. Week before last
there were so per cent more short feds
than yearlings in IL principal markets.
Receipts at Chicago.
Chicago receipts are fairly indicative
OF the way things are going. Last week
the Union stock yards got only 100
choice and prime steers, whereas they
received 835 for the corresponding week
a year ago. Medium-grade short feds
are outrunning the upper classes, Chi
cago receiving 1000, as against 1000
last year. OF common and medium
steers, the market is receiving almost
90 per cent more than a year ago. Al
though the supply of slaughtered steers
is greater than last year, the market
has seen the biggest falling of of really
good stock in many seasons. Despite
this scarcity Of the better grade the
New York dressed meat trade has suf-
fered decline of so to rs cents on
beef. 1t is difficult for New York deal
ers to get the kind Of beef they usually
buy.
The hog market has been steady for a
week. Supplies are still large, but not
as heavy as a week ago. Demand con-
tinues fairly broad at prevailing prices.
Supplies of pork are rather generous
and some of the biggest New York ops
orators are putting stock in the freezers
rather than on the fresh pork market
Regardless OF live prices, the pork loin
market at Chicago Is at the lowest level
since 1928 and sales generally reflect
the buyers market.
Trend Of Lamb Prices.
Another Inflated Wednesday marked
what otherwise might have gone on
record as a highly satisfactory lamb
trade. AT that the trend of prices gives
buyers much concern, and 1t was only
during the same brief period that big
packers were able to successfully oper-
ate against shippers and small killers.
On every other session during the cal
endar week sellers had the situation
well under control
Having already shown up to a 81
advance since last Thursday 1t was
natural that some reaction should fol-
lOWs IL LOT no OLner reason imam tine
economic position of lamb in relation to
other meats. Receipts have expanded
gradually while prices raced merrily up
ward, one of the features of this weeks
trade being 12,318-head Monday run at
Chicago by actual count. But prospects
of supply gap were momentarily re-
linquished by increased native ship
mentS.
The scarcity of lower grade lamb is
pronounced, and accordingly such kinds
have held up best during the temporary
break, finishing, as compared with last
Thursday, so cents and more higher.
Lambs with finish went up Is to so
cents, together with yearlings, and the
late tendency on ewes was higher, 30
that the market. as whole, worked
into a more satisfactory position than a
week earlier.
Bearish Steer Market.
Only a limited amount of business
was transacted in feeding lambs during
the week, partly because killers usually
outbid the country on thin lambs suit
able for similar outlet.
The bearish fat steer market has had
wet blanket effect on replacement
buying Light thin-fieshed stockerS
have been scarce and in very narrow
demand, the most recent outlet being
for meaty feeders with weight.