Live Stock and Meats

HEAVY RECEIPTS FEATURE WEEK’S LIVE STOCK BUSINESS.

Trend of Cattle Prices Decidedly Irregular—Hog Market Has Fairly Healthy Tone.

(Chicago, East St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, and St. Paul.)

Receipts of live stock during the closing week of September were of generous volume despite the fact that conditions in some departments of the trade during the preceding week bordered on demoralization. An increased proportion of trashy, light-weight cattle indicated that producers were anxious to liquidate surplus holdings before stormy weather sets in, while a corresponding decrease in receipts of corn-feds suggested a decreased number of well-conditioned beef cattle in feeders’ hands.

Chicago’s cattle receipts for the week were the largest since January, while the combined ten-market supply of about 242,300 cattle was practically the same as the week previous but 41,000 short of the corresponding week a year ago.

Following the descent of hog prices during the preceding week to the lowest levels of the year, the marketward movement of hogs expanded materially, the ten-market total at approximately 436,000 being 40,000 in excess of the week previous, and nearly 60,000 greater than the same week last year. The hog run, while continuing to carry an abnormally large proportion of heavy packing sows for this period of the year, showed a considerably enlarged quota Of spring-farrowed, light and underweight stock and average weights decreased at most points. The disposition shown by producers in many sections to unload pigs and immature light hogs was anything but a bullish influence on prices but a revival of eastern shipping demand assisted in checking the decline.

SHEEP AND LAMB RECEIPTS LARGE.

Receipts of sheep and lambs for the week both at Chicago and numerous other western points were the largest of the year, the ten-market total of about 419,500 exceeding the previous week’s supply by approximately 38,000 and being nearly 1,000 in excess of those of the same week last year. The crop, however, carried a heavy proportion of feeders from the western range and the market displayed gratifying stability following the slump in prices during the week previous, which was one of the most severe slumps of the season.

Cattle.—Higher prices for most grades of beef steers showing effective corn feeding, further seasonal expansion in the movement of both native and western grass cattle, and further evidences of increasing interest on the part of stocker and feeder buyers featured the cattle trade during the week under review. The trend of prices at the different market centers was decidedly irregular. Omaha, where receipts were considerably lighter than the preceding week, showed advances on practically all classes of cattle. Other River markets under review showed irregular declines on grass cattle and comparatively little change on desirable corn-feds. At Chicago, where receipts of northwestern range cattle were nearly double the largest previous run this season, grass steers and the less desirable of the warmed-up and plain, heavy, fed steers sold steady to 25¢ lower, and the better grades of corn-fed steers, including yearlings, all the way from 10¢ to 50¢ higher.

The return of $11 cattle after an absence dating back to last January, marked the week’s trading at Chicago. Two lots of prime Angus and Hereford yearlings averaging 985 lbs. and 891 lbs., respectively, brought that price. The former consignment was made up of natives from an Iowa feed lot, nearly half of which were heifers. The other lot consisted of Illinois-fed, branded steers which originally came from Texas.

The popularity at all market centers of well-finished yearlings on the baby beef order and of finished 1,100-lb. to 1,300-lb. steers over the weighty and more aged bullocks was as pronounced as ever, and the price premiums earned by the former were unprecedented for this season of the year. Thick-fat 1,400-lb. to 1,500-lb. steers of high quality and closely approaching prime grade could not pass $9.25 at Chicago and contrasted oddly with the moderately fat, short-fed yearlings that brought about the same figure. Ripe steers in the 1,600-lb. to 1,760-lb. class that had been grain-fed a year or more, sold at Chicago and Omaha at $8.25 to $8.50 with a plainer, weighty kind that had consumed considerable corn, down to $7.50. Many sales of good and choice 1,200-lb. to 1,350-lb. steers between $8 and $8.75 were made at Chicago and elsewhere. A few loads of long yearlings averaging 1,100 lbs. to 1,175 lbs. sold as high as $10 and $10.50.

A generous proportion of the run, however, all around the western market circuit consisted of branded and native grass steers of mediocre and medium killing quality that cashed at $5 to $6.50, comparatively few straight grass steers being good enough to bring $7. This was true despite the fact that two loads of Montanas reached $7.25 at Chicago. Light grass steers of common quality but carrying enough flesh to make cheap carcass beef, sold as low as $4.25 and $4.50 at St. Paul and Missouri River points and a few, chiefly on the Mexican order, ranged downward from $5 at Chicago.

An increase of nearly 50% in receipts of northwestern grass cattle at Chicago was credited in part to the 20% cut in long-haul freight rates. The week’s total of about 13,000 cattle from that source, however, was but little more than half as large as similar receipts during the corresponding week last year. It seems probable, however, that the Northwest will ship more freely during October, as after this month stormy weather is likely to put an end to cattle roundups.

Liberal receipts of low and medium grade steers and their cheapness “on the hooks” as compared with most grades of she stock had a depressing effect on cow and heifer prices at all markets covered by this report except Omaha. At the latter market light receipts forced cow prices up along with those of most other classes of cattle. Canners and choice dry-fed heifer yearlings withstood the downward tendency and held about steady.

SHE-STOCK PRICES BREAK.

The break in she-stock prices ranged anywhere from 25¢. to $1. Declines were most severe at Chicago, where medium to good grades of fat cows and the same classes of grass heifers frequently showed a break of 75¢. to $1 compared with the previous week-end. A spread of $3.75 to $5.75 took the big end of the week’s supply of grass cows and heifers, while canners and cutters ranged largely from $2.25 to $3.25. The best of the light, corn-fed heifer yearlings sold well in line with finished steer yearlings, but they had to be of the baby-beef type. Owing to scarcity of corn-fed cows and a slackened demand for kosher cows due to the approaching Jewish holidays, few heavy cows were good enough to bring $6 at any of the large western markets.

Bulls sold steady to lower at most points, while calves were sharply lower at both Chicago and St. Paul, little changed at Kansas City and St. Louis, and higher at Omaha because of meager receipts.

The demand for stock and feeding cattle, which has been gaining breadth during recent weeks, was comparatively liberal during the closing week of September and the total movement to the country was the largest of the year to date. Except Omaha, where stocker and feeder cattle shared in the general price upturn, prices of such cattle at points under review were at the lowest levels of the year to date. Well-bred yearlings and light feeders were in strongest demand.

With the exception of a few steers on the fat cattle order, few cattle went to the country costing over $6.75. The bulk of the feeder steers sold within a range of $5.25 to $6.25 and stockers largely between $5 and $6. Some of the best stock steers, however, sold right up with the choice heavy feeders and many plain and common light stockers sold downward from $4.50. Kansas City reported a fully steady market for stock cows and heifers with a good many cows going out at $3.50 to $4, and many stock heifers at $4 to $5 with a few as high as $5.50.

RECEIPTS, SHIPMENTS, AND LOCAL SLAUGHTER FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCT. 1.

Markets. Cattle and calves. Hogs. Sheep.

Re- ceipts. Ship- ments. Local slaugh- ter. Re- ceipts. Ship- ments. Local slaugh- ter. Re- ceipts. Ship- ments. Local slaugh- ter.

Chicago 79,076 25,332 53,744 126,432 27,148 99,284 148,779 57,903 90,876

Denver[1] 9,482 7,767 2,272 2,793 ... 2,675 44,713 34,469 4,086

East St. Louis 30,067 14,640 10,101 48,094 17,536 22,904 7,434 1,081 4,062

Indianapolis[1] 9,533 4,398 4,919 60,437 32,349 27,399 2,823 1,547 1,323

Kansas City 78,446 43,851 31,002 28,914 8,109 20,926 47,121 12,179 24,234

Oklahoma City 7,767 2,509 4,557 4,574 272 4,142 165 ... 165

Omaha 35,557 23,657 11,900 30,607 5,687 24,920 126,966 73,496 53,470

St. Joseph[1] 13,639 5,006 9,101 21,122 2,953 17,541 28,565 8,123 17,545

St. Paul[1] 24,301 13,023 12,163 31,339 4,445 27,035 19,209 6,823 12,381

Sioux City 15,032 11,659 4,296 28,068 9,874 16,285 8,242 4,293 4,564

Wichita[1] 7,554 5,422 2,415 4,236 127 4,270 399 251 169

Total 310,456 157,264 146,470 356,616 108,560 267,381 434,416 260,165 222,875

Previous week 324,438 153,997 154,269 373,574 100,615 258,235 403,963 169,947 213,446

DAILY AVERAGE WEIGHT AND COST OF HOGS FOR WEEK ENDING OCT. 1. [Price per 100 lbs.]

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. This wk. Last wk. 1 yr. ago.

Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost.

Chicago 272 $7.10 255 $7.29 262 $7.31 246 $7.30 246 $7.43 280 $7.06 259 $7.25 263 $7.42 247 $15.74

E. St. Louis 195 8.22 188 8.16 188 8.16 204 8.00 209 7.94 201 8.10 198 8.10 192 8.17 196 16.35

Kansas City 209 7.53 209 7.52 209 7.54 225 7.35 221 7.23 270 7.33 213 7.46 213 7.77 220 15.79

Omaha 304 6.41 292 6.61 289 6.84 300 6.44 290 6.96 292 6.41 294 6.55 299 6.86 273 15.72

S. St. Paul 243 6.58 235 6.83 245 6.95 236 6.95 246 7.20 211 7.02 240 6.86 236 7.16 ... ...

The above prices are computed on packer and shipper purchases.

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri.

Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost.

Chicago 272 $7.10 255 $7.29 262 $7.31 246 $7.30 246 $7.43

E. St. Louis 195 8.22 188 8.16 188 8.16 204 8.00 209 7.94

Kansas City 209 7.53 209 7.52 209 7.54 225 7.35 221 7.23

Omaha 304 6.41 292 6.61 289 6.84 300 6.44 290 6.96

S. St. Paul 243 6.58 235 6.83 245 6.95 236 6.95 246 7.20

Sat. This wk. Last wk. 1 yr. ago.

Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost. Wt. Cost.

Chicago 280 $7.06 259 $7.25 263 $7.42 247 $15.74

E. St. Louis 201 8.10 198 8.10 192 8.17 196 16.35

Kansas City 270 7.33 213 7.46 213 7.77 220 15.79

Omaha 292 6.41 294 6.55 299 6.86 273 15.72

S. St. Paul 211 7.02 240 6.86 236 7.16 ... ...

The above prices are computed on packer and shipper purchases.

Hogs.—The hog market had a fairly healthy tone and the erratic fluctuations which marked the trade for several weeks previous were, for the most part, missing. While during the preceding week, average cost of hogs at the markets under review showed a decrease, Chicago prices dropping to the lowest levels since early in 1916, closing prices of the week under review were generally 10¢ to 15¢ higher than the previous week-end. A broader eastern demand was partly responsible for the advance.

While the proportion of new crop hogs showed a seasonal increase at practically all points, the continued heavy receipts of packing sows caused considerable comment. Traders at Chicago do not recall any recent period when receipts at this time of the year carried so large a percentage of packing sows as do current offerings. Packing sows were of almost uniformly good quality, many of them being almost as smooth as barrows. Several of the smaller packers at Chicago turned from heavy barrows to good and choice sows.

Many of the new-crop hogs showed very little finish and buyers complained that many were “dopey” apparently suffering from the effects of initial rations of new corn. On almost every day butcher hogs averaging 200 lbs. to 240 lbs. sold at top prices at Chicago, while the 160-lb. to 170-lb. kinds closed considerably under top quotations.

The closing top at Chicago was $8.30 with the average cost that day $7.06. The average cost of packing and shipping droves for the week at that point was $7.25, with the average weight at 259 lbs., the lightest since the week ending Aug. 6. The closing top at East St. Louis was $8.35, at Kansas City $7.65, at Omaha $7.75, and at St. Paul $7.60.

SHEEP AND LAMB TRADE IMPROVED.

Sheep.—Considering supplies, which at leading western markets were the heaviest of the year, sheep and lamb trade during the final week of September showed some improvement. Receipts at Chicago were larger than during any previous week since 1919 and range lambs, carrying the largest proportion of feeders of the season, were greatly in the majority.

In the fat classes, supply and demand were evenly balanced and as the feeder outlet developed considerable breadth, closing prices on all classes were practically steady with the close of the week previous.

Sheep were generally steady at all points except Kansas City, where prices worked 25¢ to 50¢ higher on fat classes. Fat lambs closed lower for the week at Omaha and higher at East St. Louis but were little changed elsewhere. Feeder classes sold steady to somewhat higher at all points. The range movement started early this summer and the early season output of feeders was small.

Opening, Oct. 3.—Beef steers were strong to 25¢ higher at Chicago with desirable corn-feds gaining most. River markets were generally steady to strong on corn-feds and slow to lower on grassers. The week opened with a big run of 35,000 cattle at Kansas City. Chicago’s receipts at 20,000 cattle were well below expectations and the supply of good corn-fed cattle showed a marked decrease. Top yearlings reached $11.15 at Chicago, the highest point reached since early in January and within 10¢ of the top for the year on yearlings.

With receipts moderate, hog prices were generally strong to 15¢ higher. East St. Louis reported a 15¢ to 25¢ advance with top hogs at $8.55. At Chicago the top was $8.45 and at Omaha $8, at Kansas City $7.90 and at St. Paul $7.50.

Fat sheep and lambs opened generally steady to 25¢ higher. Western fat lambs topped at $9 at Chicago, $8.50 at Omaha, and $8.40 at Kansas City. Fat natives reached $8.50 at Chicago. The fat ewe top was $4.75 at Chicago, $4.50 at East St. Louis, and $4.25 at Omaha. Best feeder lambs brought $7.25 at Chicago on a firm market and $7 at Omaha.

LIVE STOCK PRICES, TUESDAY, OCT. 4. [Per 100 lbs.]

Chicago. East St. Louis. Kansas City. Omaha. St. Paul.

HOGS.

Top $8.55 $8.65 $8.10 $8.10 $7.75

Bulk of sales 6.65 - 8.40 8.25 - 8.65 7.25 - 8.00 6.25 - 7.50 6.50 - 7.75

Heavy (250 lbs. up), medium-choice 7.60 - 8.40 7.50 - 8.55 7.15 - 8.00 6.75 - 7.50 6.75 - 7.50

Medium (200-250 lbs.), common-choice 8.20 - 8.50 8.40 - 8.65 7.35 - 8.10 7.00 - 8.00 6.85 - 7.75

Light (150-200 lbs.), common-choice 7.85 - 8.50 8.25 - 8.65 7.00 - 8.10 7.35 - 8.10 7.35 - 7.75

Light lights (130-150 lbs.), common-choice 7.65 - 8.20 8.15 - 8.50 6.75 - 7.85 ... ...

Packing sows (250 lbs. up), smooth 6.65 - 7.25 6.25 - 6.75 6.25 - 7.00 6.15 - 6.65 6.25 - 6.85

Packing sows (250 lbs. up), rough 6.25 - 6.65 5.75 - 6.25 5.50 - 6.25 5.75 - 6.15 6.00 - 6.40

Pigs (150 lbs. down), common-choice 7.10 - 7.75 7.65 - 8.30 ... ... ...

Stock pigs (130 lbs. down) ... 6.75 - 8.25 6.50 - 8.35 7.00 - 8.00 7.50 - 8.25

CATTLE.

Beef steers:

Medium and heavy (1,100 lbs. up)—

Choice and prime 8.85 - 10.90 8.75 - 10.00 8.50 - 10.00 8.50 - 9.75 ...

Good 8.25 - 9.65 8.25 - 9.25 7.00 - 9.00 7.75 - 8.50 7.75 - 8.75

Medium 6.00 - 8.75 5.25 - 8.25 5.25 - 7.25 5.50 - 7.75 6.00 - 7.75

Common 5.00 - 6.00 4.50 - 5.25 4.35 - 5.25 4.25 - 5.50 4.25 - 5.75

Light weight (1,100 lbs. down)—

Choice and prime 10.25 - 11.25 9.75 - 11.00 9.50 - 10.35 9.75 - 10.75 ...

Good 9.00 - 10.25 8.50 - 9.75 7.10 - 9.50 7.50 - 9.75 8.50 - 9.50

Medium 6.00 - 9.00 4.75 - 8.50 5.00 - 7.40 5.25 - 7.50 6.00 - 8.50

Common 4.75 - 6.00 4.00 - 4.75 4.00 - 5.00 4.00 - 5.25 4.00 - 6.00

Butcher cattle:

Heifers, common-choice 4.25 - 9.25 4.25 - 10.50 3.75 - 8.00 4.00 - 8.75 3.50 - 8.75

Cows, common-choice 3.50 - 6.75 3.25 - 6.00 3.35 - 5.50 3.75 - 6.50 3.00 - 6.50

Bulls, bologna, and beef 3.65 - 6.35 3.25 - 6.25 3.00 - 5.25 3.00 - 6.25 2.75 - 5.50

Canners and cutters:

Cows and heifers 2.50 - 3.50 2.25 - 3.50 2.00 - 3.35 2.25 - 3.75 1.75 - 3.00

Canner steers 3.00 - 3.50 2.50 - 3.00 2.50 - 3.25 2.50 - 3.75 2.25 - 3.00

Veal calves:

Light and medium weight, medium-choice 5.50 - 11.50 6.00 - 11.50 7.00 - 10.00 7.00 - 10.00 5.00 - 9.50

Heavy weight, common-choice 3.50 - 7.00 3.00 - 7.00 3.00 - 6.50 3.50 - 7.25 3.00 - 6.00

Feeder steers:

1,000 lbs. up, common-choice 5.00 - 6.75 5.00 - 6.50 4.60 - 7.00 5.00 - 7.25 3.75 - 6.25

750-1,000 lbs., common-choice 4.85 - 6.50 4.50 - 6.50 4.50 - 6.90 4.75 - 7.00 3.50 - 6.00

Stocker cattle:

Steers, common-choice 3.75 - 6.50 3.50 - 6.50 3.40 - 6.65 3.75 - 7.00 3.25 - 6.00

Cows and heifers, common-choice 3.25 - 4.75 2.50 - 5.50 2.50 - 5.50 2.75 - 5.50 2.50 - 4.00

Calves:

Good and choice ... 5.25 - 6.25 5.50 - 6.50 5.75 - 7.25 ...

Common and medium ... 4.00 - 5.00 3.25 - 5.25 3.75 - 5.75 ...

SHEEP.

Lambs:

84 lbs. down, medium-choice 7.25 - 9.25 6.75 - 8.75 7.25 - 8.75 7.25 - 8.75 6.25 - 8.00

Culls and common 4.75 - 7.25 4.00 - 6.50 4.00 - 7.00 4.75 - 7.00 3.00 - 6.00

Feeding lambs 6.00 - 7.25 ... 5.25 - 7.00 6.00 - 7.25 4.50 - 6.50

Yearlings, wethers, medium-prime 5.00 - 7.00 4.50 - 6.00 4.50 - 6.25 5.00 - 6.25 4.50 - 6.25

Wethers, medium-prime 4.00 - 5.50 3.50 - 5.00 4.00 - 5.25 4.00 - 5.00 3.25 - 4.75

Ewes:

Medium-good and choice 3.00 - 5.00 3.00 - 4.00 3.25 - 4.60 3.25 - 4.50 2.75 - 4.00

Culls and common 1.50 - 2.75 1.00 - 2.75 1.00 - 3.00 1.50 - 3.00 1.00 - 2.75

Breeding ewes (full mouths to yearlings) 3.25 - 6.25 ... 3.50 - 5.75 3.50 - 5.25 ...

Feeding ewes ... ... ... 2.75 - 3.50 ...

WHOLESALE PRICES OF WESTERN DRESSED MEATS, TUESDAY, OCT. 4. [Per 100 lbs.]

Chicago. New York.

Oct. 4. Sept. 27. Sept. 6. Oct. 4. Sept. 27. Sept. 6.

Fresh beef:

Steers—

Choice $16.50 - 17.50 $16.50 - 17.00 $17.00 - 17.50 $17.00 - 19.00 $17.00 - 19.00 $18.00 - 19.00

Good 15.50 - 16.50 15.50 - 16.50 15.50 - 16.50 14.00 - 16.00 14.00 - 16.00 15.00 - 17.00

Medium 12.00 - 14.00 12.00 - 14.00 11.50 - 14.00 11.00 - 13.00 12.00 - 13.50 13.00 - 14.00

Common 8.50 - 10.00 8.50 - 10.00 8.50 - 10.50 9.00 - 10.00 10.00 - 11.00 9.00 - 12.00

Cows—

Good 11.50 - 12.00 11.50 - 12.00 11.00 - 11.50 ... 10.00 - 11.00 11.00 - 12.00

Medium 10.00 - 11.00 10.00 - 11.00 9.50 - 10.50 9.00 - 10.00 9.00 - 10.00 9.00 - 10.00

Common 8.00 - 9.00 7.50 - 9.00 8.00 - 9.00 8.00 - 9.00 8.00 - 9.00 8.00 - 9.00

Bulls—

Common 7.75 - 8.25 7.75 - 8.25 7.50 - 8.00 8.00 - 9.00 8.50 - 9.00 7.00 - 7.50

Fresh lamb and mutton:

Lamb—

Choice 17.00 - 18.00 18.00 - 19.00 19.00 - 20.00 18.00 - 19.00 19.00 - 20.00 20.00 - 21.00

Good 15.00 - 16.00 16.00 - 17.00 17.00 - 18.00 16.00 - 17.00 16.00 - 18.00 19.00 - 20.00

Medium 13.00 - 14.00 14.00 - 15.00 15.00 - 16.00 15.00 - 16.00 15.00 - 16.00 16.00 - 18.00

Common 10.00 - 12.00 10.00 - 12.00 12.00 - 14.00 10.00 - 14.00 10.00 - 14.00 10.00 - 15.00

Mutton—

Good 9.00 - 10.00 9.00 - 10.00 10.50 - 11.00 11.00 - 12.00 12.00 - 13.00 11.00 - 13.00

Medium 7.00 - 8.00 7.00 - 8.00 9.00 - 10.00 10.00 - 11.00 10.00 - 11.00 10.00 - 11.00

Common 6.00 - 7.00 6.00 - 7.00 6.00 - 8.00 7.00 - 9.00 7.00 - 9.00 5.00 - 9.00

Fresh veal:

Choice 19.00 - 20.00 19.00 - 21.00 20.00 - 22.00 21.00 - 22.00 23.00 - 25.00 25.00 - 26.00

Good 16.00 - 18.00 17.00 - 19.00 19.00 - 20.00 18.00 - 20.00 19.00 - 21.00 22.00 - 24.00

Medium 13.00 - 15.00 12.00 - 14.00 16.00 - 18.00 14.00 - 17.00 15.00 - 18.00 19.00 - 20.00

Common 9.00 - 12.00 8.00 - 11.00 12.00 - 15.00 8.00 - 10.00 9.00 - 12.00 14.00 - 17.00

Fresh pork cuts:

Loins—

8-10 lbs. average 24.00 - 26.00 25.00 - 27.00 29.00 - 30.00 27.00 - 28.00 23.00 - 30.00 29.00 - 30.00

10-12 lbs. average 20.00 - 22.00 21.00 - 23.00 27.00 - 28.00 25.00 - 26.00 27.00 - 20.00 26.00 - 28.00

12-14 lbs. average 18.00 - 20.00 18.00 - 20.00 22.00 - 25.00 21.00 - 23.00 24.00 - 25.00 23.00 - 25.00

14-16 lbs. average 16.00 - 18.00 16.00 - 18.00 19.00 - 21.00 18.00 - 20.00 18.00 - 20.00 20.00 - 21.00

16 lbs. and over 12.00 - 15.00 13.00 - 15.00 15.00 - 18.00 15.00 - 18.00 16.00 - 18.00 17.00 - 18.00

Shoulders—

Skinned 13.00 - 14.00 14.00 - 15.00 14.50 - 15.00 14.00 - 15.00 15.00 - 16.00 15.00 - 16.00

Picnics—

4-6 lbs. average 10.50 - 11.00 11.00 - 11.50 12.00 - 12.50 ... ... ...

6-8 lbs. average 10.00 - 10.50 10.00 - 11.00 11.00 - 12.00 11.00 - 12.00 11.00 - 12.00 13.00 - 14.00

Butts—

Boston style 16.00 - 17.00 16.00 - 17.00 18.00 - 20.00 18.00 - 19.00 18.00 - 20.00 17.00 - 18.00

MEAT TRADE NARROW DURING MOST OF SEPTEMBER.

Fairly Good Demand Early in Month Not Sustained—Week-End Accumulations Frequent.

Fresh-meat trade during September was narrow and movements into consumptive channels were considerably less than during August, except for a short period at the beginning of the month when there was a fairly good demand for all classes. Although receipts of some classes were less than normal, week-end accumulations in wholesale markets were frequent and as a rule sharp declines followed.

Supplies of beef at eastern markets were approximately 8,250,000 lbs., or 13,800 carcasses less than a year ago. Veal supplies decreased 6,300 carcasses and mutton 32,000 carcasses. Lamb increased 63,000 carcasses, or 2,500,000 lbs. At eastern points the decrease in supplies of fresh pork from locally slaughtered hogs was more than offset by increased shipments from middle western packing centers and a net increase of 110,000 lbs. for the month was shown.

BEEF TRADE UNIMPROVED.

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.

LAMB TRADE CHAOTIC.

Lamb.—With continued heavy receipts of lambs at live-stock centers, the dressed trade was in a chaotic condition. Although estimated receipts of lamb at seven of the principal live-stock markets showed a decrease of 12% as compared with the same month one year ago, liberal offerings of Canadian lambs at eastern markets more than offset the decrease and intensified the already existing unsettled condition. This, together with the continued unequal demand, assisted in pushing prices of the dressed product below the low point reached in February of the present year. Total supplies at eastern markets exceeded those of the same period a year ago by 2,500,000 lbs., and fluctuations on the different grades amounted to $6.

While Chicago registered smaller fluctuations the trend was steadily downward and closing prices were $2 to $3 below the opening. Although closing prices at eastern markets were slightly above the low spot for the month, trade conditions at the close were generally unsatisfactory to the selling side. At the beginning of the month cold storage holdings were 820,519 lbs. less than a month earlier, but were still considerably above the season’s average during prewar years.

Mutton.—Receipts of mutton at eastern markets decreased 32,000 carcasses as compared with the same period a year ago. This reduction, together with a general improvement in quality over that of the previous month, was the principal factor contributing to a generally steady market in the East, particularly during the last half of the month. With supplies at Chicago consisting largely of heavy bucks and ewes and practically no handyweight wethers, that market declined sharply and closed $1.50 to $2 below the opening.

Pork.—Conditions in the fresh-pork trade were generally unsettled. Sharp weekly fluctuations caused by erratic advances on Mondays, which could not be maintained through the week, were an outstanding feature of the month’s trade at some markets. Supplies of loins at eastern markets were practically the same as a year ago and consisted mostly of frozen or chilled stock, for which there was an uneven demand. The latter sold at a wide range of prices and unevenly $4 to $10 below corresponding averages of fresh loins. Closing prices at eastern markets were only slightly changed from the opening, some averages being 50¢ to $1 lower.

Conditions at Chicago, which has been the high market during the past two months, were materially changed and declines equaling the advances of late July were registered during the last half of September. From the high point of $32 on light average loins, prices had dropped to $26 at the close. Heavier average loins registered similar declines. Shoulder cuts were relatively more stable but were mostly $1 to $1.50 off at the close.

Cured pork and lard.—The domestic demand for cured pork cuts and lard, while fair for the season, was not of sufficient volume to offset the decline in live-stock markets and prices registered sharp declines. Dry salt meats and lard were in relatively better demand than hams, bacon, and picnics, and showed proportionately smaller declines. At the close wholesale prices of hams at Chicago were off $3 to $3.50, bacon $2 to $2.50, and picnics $1.50 to $2. The net decline on lard amounted to 75¢, dry salt backs 50¢ to 75¢, and dry salt bellies about $1. Reacting from the general upward trend of prices during August, compound lard markets were weak and closing prices were unevenly 75¢ to $1.50 under the opening.

STOCKER AND FEEDER SHIPMENTS. Week ending Friday, Sept. 30.

Cattle and calves. Hogs. Sheep.

Market origin:

Chicago 11,838 ... 41,892

East St. Louis 6,799 551 1,289

Fort Worth 3,097 353 177

Indianapolis 1,675 537 262

Kansas City 26,728 2,428 10,674

Oklahoma City 2,504 272 ...

Omaha 21,578 ... 54,992

St. Joseph 3,611 145 8,148

St. Paul 9,745 204 3,837

Sioux City 11,497 2,223 5,651

Wichita 2,605 127 ...

Total 101,677 6,840 126,922

Previous week 93,564 5,770 80,524

Same week last year 109,142 8,795 168,815

State destination:

Arkansas 30 146 ...

California 364 ... ...

Georgia 78 ... ...

Idaho 2 ... ...

Illinois 16,394 1,016 18,285

Indiana 5,966 537 13,297

Iowa 21,252 2,564 27,640

Kansas 6,823 538 1,482

Kentucky 715 ... 1,671

Maryland 162 ... 656

Massachusetts 24 ... ...

Michigan 1,160 ... 9,696

Minnesota 1,899 642 3,931

Missouri 13,765 431 15,310

Nebraska 17,666 563 24,891

New Jersey 19 ... ...

New York ... ... 884

Ohio 4,112 216 4,607

Oklahoma 3,571 126 ...

Pennsylvania 4,490 ... ...

South Dakota 1,201 ... 1,877

Tennessee 26 ... ...

Texas 1,190 61 177

Virginia 25 ... ...

West Virginia 56 ... ...

Wisconsin 687 1,866 2,518

Total 101,677 6,840 126,922

Iowa led all other States in the number of telephones on farms reported to the Census Bureau on Jan. 1. A total of 2,508,002 farms or 38.9% of all farms in the country, had telephones.

List of Brazilian Live-stock Raisers and Breeders Available for Distribution.

A list containing the names and addresses of 10,000 live-stock raisers and breeders has just been received from the Minister of Agriculture of Brazil. The list also gives the number of animals owned by each producer. The total number of animals represented is 5,227,113.

Of the 10,000 breeders, 1,092 have 1,000 to 5,000 animals; 107 have between 5,000 and 10,000; and 39 have more than 10,000. Three of this latter group have 34,000 animals and one has 85,000. This list has been classified according to the number of animals owned, made up in mimeographed form, and will be sent to interested parties upon request. The list does not show the breed or kind of live stock grown.

Similar lists of breeders in Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico are also available. The list of Uruguayan breeders includes only those who have pure-bred animals and does not give the number owned. They are classified according to the breed raised. The list of Argentine breeders consists of the exhibitors at the Palermo show.

Argentine Exports of Chilled Beef, Frozen Mutton and Lamb Increase.

The exports of frozen beef from Argentina during the first seven months of 1921 show a decrease of 3,154,275 quarters, compared with the exports during the corresponding months of 1920, according to statistics compiled by the Review of the River Plate. The exports of chilled beef during the same period increased 601,096 quarters; exports of frozen mutton and lamb increased 1,011,754 and 355,593 carcasses, respectively.

The United Kingdom furnished the chief market for all of the frozen and chilled meats exported from Argentina during the seven months’ period, taking 1,582,035 quarters of frozen beef, 772,162 quarters of chilled beef, 1,468,466 carcasses of frozen mutton, and 586,123 carcasses of frozen lamb.

The following table shows the exports of frozen and chilled beef and frozen mutton and lamb from Argentina for the first seven months of 1921 as compared with the same period in the five preceding years:

First 7 months of— Frozen beef. Chilled beef. Frozen mutton. Frozen lamb.

Quarters. Quarters. Car- casses. Car- casses.

1916 2,465,408 450,628 933,964 393,116

1917 2,935,365 373,083 664,540 314,435

1918 3,249,649 23,544 546,161 120,012

1919 2,851,533 74,598 826,958 131,826

1920 5,344,635 183,114 594,727 260,943

1921 2,189,360 784,210 1,606,481 616,536

CHICAGO WHOLESALE PRICES OF CURED PORK AND PORK PRODUCTS. [Per 100 lbs.]

Sept. 30. Sept. 23. Sept. 2.

Hams, smoked, 14-16 average $23.50 - 24.00 $24.00 - 25.50 $27.00 - 29.00

Hams, fancy 14-16 average 26.00 - 26.75 26.00 - 28.00 30.00 - 31.50

Picnics, smoked, 4-8 average 12.50 - 15.00 12.50 - 14.50 14.50 - 16.00

Bacon, breakfast, 6-8 average 23.50 - 24.50 24.00 - 24.50 25.00 - 27.00

Bacon, fancy, 6-8 average 34.00 - 35.00 33.00 - 35.50 34.00 - 38.00

Bellies, D. S., 14-16 average 14.75 - 10.00 13.75 - 15.75 15.00 - 15.50

Backs, D. S., 14-16 average 11.75 - 12.25 10.25 - 11.75 11.00 - 11.50

Pure lard, tierces 11.50 - 13.75 13.00 - 13.75 13.00 - 14.50

Compound lard, tierces 12.00 - 13.00 12.25 - 12.75 11.00 - 12.00

COLD STORAGE HOLDINGS OF FISH, SEPT. 15. [Thousands of pounds, i. e., 000 omitted.]

Varieties. Sept. 15, 1921. Sept. 15, 1920. Aug. 15, 1921. Aug. 15, 1920. Frozen since Aug. 15, 1921.

FROZEN FISH.

Bluefish 442 256 282 211 180

Butterfish 422 615 255 489 203

Ciscoes 5,841 4,999 4,444 2,152 1,875

Cod, bake, pollack 1,865 2,578 1,878 2,113 95

Croakers 345 709 331 281 93

Halibut 9,125 10,340 7,693 8,630 1,363

Herring 3,870 5,405 3,715 5,480 632

Lake trout 1,043 555 991 554 93

Mackerel 1,603 2,678 1,696 3,015 105

Rock fishes 69 200 69 185 4

Sablefish 978 834 600 597 339

Salmon, fall 836 891 759 815 65

Salmon, silver 1,064 540 631 414 453

Salmon,other 5,262 3,248 3,419 2,281 1,664

Sea bass 61 109 68 122 4

Shad 349 502 325 474 28

Shad roe 43 43 45 49 ...

Smelts, eulachon, etc. 335 116 272 101 65

Squid 3,017 2,163 3,177 910 53

Weakfish 1,755 493 1,640 449 190

Whitefish 1,782 1,016 1,587 624 207

Whiting 5,258 9,649 4,974 8,630 464

Miscellaneous 9,226 8,453 8,580 8,565 1,181

Total 54,591 56,297 47,431 47,141 9,356

CURED FISH.

Herring 16,207 22,752 11,913 22,111 ...

Mild cured salmon 6,855 8,275 6,165 8,149 ...

Canadian Livestock Marketing Costs.

“It has been announced in the press that Quebec farmers are receiving a few dollars only for grass-fed calves, and from $10 up for cows, steers, etc.,” reports the American vice consul at Montreal. “The farmer sells his steer to the drover for 5¢ a lb. on the hoof. The latter sells to the abattoir for 6¢, and, after he has paid his overhead expenses, freight, shrinkage, etc., he makes an average of about $5 on each animal. The abattoir figures on a profit of about $6 on an average steer. There is little or no profit made on the forequarters, and for this the hind-quarters must compensate.”

ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED UNDER FEDERAL INSPECTION DURING AUGUST.

Station. Cattle. Calves. Sheep. Goats. Swine.

Chicago 138,496 34,538 293,516 ... 433,823

Fort Worth 33,713 40,516 13,549 39 27,079

Kansas City 98,897 26,647 104,831 36 167,034

National Stock Yards 24,516 11,105 48,312 16 72,874

Omaha 61,634 4,573 184,687 ... 123,089

St. Louis 16,788 4,965 10,663 ... 104,840

Sioux City 16,637 1,137 10,883 ... 72,845

South St. Joseph 23,797 5,962 58,814 13 105,624

South St. Paul 19,426 21,513 33,177 ... 96,357

All other establishments 246,515 152,840 478,560 97 1,326,894

Total:

August, 1921 680,419 303,796 1,236,992 201 2,530,459

August, 1920 685,763 332,349 1,041,580 1,750 2,190,821

8 months ending August, 1921 4,907,174 2,526,022 8,540,072 3,240 26,440,048

8 months ending August, 1920 5,413,781 2,835,457 6,862,931 28,826 26,239,384

Horses slaughtered at all establishments, 175; Inspections of lard prepared at all establishments, 126,026,473 lbs.; compound and other substitutes, 29,823,542 lbs. Corresponding inspections for August, 1920: Lard, 96,527,453 lbs.; compound and other substitutes, 28,322,618 lbs.