| 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.