_Beef._--Improved trade conditions which were expected to follow cooler
weather did not materialize. Average weekly supplies were less than for
several months past, but the demand was curtailed to an even greater
extent. With liberal quantities of low-grade beef offered at packing
centers, increased supplies of sausage material were available, and
prices in most cases were fully 50% below those prevailing a year ago.
Comparatively little choice beef was offered at any of the markets, and
when it appeared in the form of heavy carcasses it was hard to move,
selling only at a heavy discount. Carcasses weighing from 450 to 600
lbs. were the kind most in demand.
With supplies at eastern markets consisting chiefly of medium to good
grass-fed steers, prices were uneven and during most of the month tended
downward. Boston was relatively steadier than other eastern markets and
closed only about $1 lower, while New York and Philadelphia registered
sharp weekly fluctuations and closed unevenly $1 to $2 net lower.
Although the demand at Chicago was again narrow and showed no apparent
improvement over that of the preceding month, price changes were slight.
To some extent this was caused by local conditions and the ability to
adjust supplies to the demand.
Cow beef constituted a relatively small proportion of the offerings at
all markets, and was materially less in quantity than at the same time a
year ago. Markets were not generally supplied with bulls, and in most
cases daily receipts were insufficient to justify quotations.
While kosher beef markets registered slight weekly fluctuations, the
range of prices generally was steady, though somewhat higher than in
August. The better grades were in best demand. Because of the near
approach of Yom Kippur and other Jewish holidays, kosher killing was
discontinued during the closing days of September and any surplus
supplies were offered for sale to the regular trade.
_Veal._--Liberal offerings of heavy veal carcasses, most of which were
of undesirable quality, had a depressing effect on prices in general.
Milk-fed veal was scarce, but when available found ready sale at firm
prices. Receipts at eastern markets were 6,300 carcasses less than
during the corresponding month a year ago, but were more than the trade
required. Price ranges were materially widened, with the trend upward
during the first week, but sharply downward through the remainder of the
month. All markets were similarly affected. Closing prices at eastern
markets were unevenly $2 to $3 lower than the opening, with common and
medium grades registering the greatest decline. Choice veal at Chicago
closed steady to $1 higher, with other grades mostly $2 lower than the
opening.