430 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



to salesmen at the live stock markets or by the live stock trade at 

 large. It is no wonder, therefore, that market prices fluctuate so much 

 and that so much dissatisfaction with live stock marketing conditions 

 exists. 



A monthly report showing the stocks of frozen and cured meats on 

 hand in wholesale meat-packing establishments under federal inspec- 

 tion, and in the public cold storages throughout the United States, was 

 the first feature of the plan to be undertaken. Similar reports on stocks 

 of eggs, butter, cheese and apples in cold storage had been handled 

 successfully by the Office of Markets for several months past; conse- 

 quently, the organization which had been developed was readily adapted 

 so as to include the principal classes of meats which are carried in 

 storage. Our first report was issued December 9th, showing the stocks 

 of frozen, dry salt, and sweet pickled meats, and of lard, on hand 

 December' 1st, in 352 packing houses and cold storages. These re- 

 ports are to be issued -monthly, within a few days after the first of the 

 month. Although board of trade reports showing stocks of provisions 

 at four or five of the largest packing points, have been issued hereto- 

 fore, no figures on provisions covering the entire country ever have 

 been available, and this is the first attempt that ever has been made 

 to ascertain and publish the holdings of frozen meats. The wholesale 

 packing concerns, both large and small, have facilitated this undertak- 

 ing by consenting to furnish prompt and regular reports, and the com- 

 ments we have received indicate that the information will be of direct 

 interest and value to the meat trade as Avell as to the stock men. 



The organization which has been established for the purpose of 

 collecting and distributing information on the fresh meat trade consists 

 of offices at New York, Boston and Philadelphia, where daily reports 

 are compiled; also at Chicago, Kansas City and Omaha, where the 

 information will be distributed at the stock yards and to stock men 

 in the surrounding territory. The three eastern points mentioned are 

 considered the best barometers of the fresh meat trade in the United 

 States, and are the principal pointg at which meat is exported and 

 Iniported. Prominent representatives of the live stock commission ex- 

 changes have a.ssured us that this service will assist the live stock 

 trade materially, by giving both sellers and buyers a much closer check 

 than heretofore has been possible upon the meat demand, which is 

 supposed to have a direct influence upon market prices of cattle, hogs 

 and sheep at the stock yards. On the other hand, retailers and jobbers 

 of meats in the large cities will be enabled to buy on a more accurate 

 basis by knowing the receipts and prices of live stock at all of the west- 

 ern markets. It seems apparent that this plan of interchanging re- 

 ports daily between the important market points where live stock and 

 meats are distributed, should have a decided'y beneficial influence on 

 the stability of market conditions. Another important feature of such 

 a news service is the development of uniform classifications of meat 

 animals and meat products which will result, and the basis which thus 

 will be established whereby the public can see with reasonable accuracy 



