Demand for good pigs at Chicago was broad and such sold readily all
week, with bulk of good 100‒130 lb. averages clearing from $9.50‒$10.50.
Saturday’s closing values on pigs were around 25¢ lower for the week.
Stock pig prices, both at St. Paul and Missouri River markets declined
25¢‒35¢, best strong weights selling at $10.25‒$10.50 at St. Paul and
Kansas City, respectively. Several shipments of good quality thin sows
went to the country from St. Paul and Chicago for feeding purposes,
costing $8‒$9. The trade generally displayed considerable anxiety on
account of the railway and coal strikes.
_Sheep._—An oversupply of sheep at Jersey City at the week’s opening was
the chief factor in further declines in prices following the declines
late last week at Chicago and other western markets, but with aggregate
slaughter falling considerably short of the week previous, the market
made good recovery as the week’s trading progressed. Closing Chicago
prices, compared with the week previous, were strong to 25¢ higher on
fat native lambs, mostly 50¢ higher on cull natives, steady to 15¢ lower
on fat western lambs, 35¢‒50¢ lower on western feeding lambs, generally
steady on light sheep and 25¢‒50¢ lower on heavy sheep.
Subsequent to Monday when Jersey City had a full supply, the run of
southeastern lambs was light and natives from other sections were in
smaller supply than during the preceding week. The market-ward movement
of range stock from the Northwest was of fair volume, although hampered
to a certain extent by conditions arising from the strike of railway
shopmen. Feeder demand was narrow at the week’s opening but declines
then enforced attracted buyers subsequently and both fat and feeder
lambs closed about 25¢ above the week’s low spot.
At the week end, choice western lambs were safely quotable up to $13 at
Chicago, good Oregons, rather lightly sorted, selling up to $12.85, and
best natives up to $12.75 straight, with bulk of natives at $12.50$12.60
and native culls mostly at $8‒$8.50. Feeder buyers paid up to $12.50 for
light and tidy weight Western feeder lambs, but a number of loads of
heavy feeders sold during the week at $11.50‒$11.75. Fat heavy ewes sold
downward to $3, a few below $3.50 at the close, while fat light native
and Western ewes reached $7‒$7.25. Wethers and yearlings were virtually
lacking. There was call for western yearling breeding ewes, with none
offered and choice quotable to $11.50. Native yearling ewes were taken
on breeder account up to $9.50‒$9.75, twos to fours mixed up to
$8‒$8.75, with heavies and less desirable kinds on down to $6 and below,
depending on age, weight, and quality.
_Opening, July 31._—Beef steers, yearlings, butcher cows, and heifers at
Chicago sold actively at strong to 25¢ higher prices, mostly 10¢‒15¢
higher. Eleven loads of matured beef steers averaging 1,283 lbs.‒1,694
lbs. topped at $10.60. Best long yearlings brought $10.50, bulk of beef
steers $8.50‒$10.15. Twelve loads of Canadian steers arrived, five loads
going to stocker and feeder dealers at $5.75. Stockers and feeders
displayed some strength.
Good butcher weight hogs gained 10¢‒15¢ and closed firm at the advance.
Top was $10.70 with bulk of desirable butchers at $9.90‒$10.60. Activity
of shippers, who absorbed around 10,000 head, lent zest and higher
prices to the better grades. Mixed and packing grades opened higher, but
lacking good competition closed steady to 150 lower, bulk of packing
sows turning at $7.75‒$8.60.
Fat lambs closed weak to 15¢ lower after a steady to strong start.
Natives and westerns topped at $12.75, bulk of the natives bringing
$12.25‒$12.60 and bulk of the rangers $12.65. Feeding lambs at $12.35
downward were lower. Sheep held firm. Choice handy Montana ewes reached
$7.50.