CHAPTER XVII. 

 SHEEP MARKETS AND MARKET CLASSIFICATION. 



The census of 1910 estimated that 14,724,699 sheep and 

 lambs and 285,553 goats and kids were slaughtered for food in 

 the United States in 1909. From reports of the Census Bureau 

 it is estimated that 83 per cent, of the sheep and lambs marketed 

 in the United States pass through the large central markets, 

 13 per cent, are sold for local slaughter, and only 4 per cent, 

 are slaughtered on farms and ranges. The corresponding per- 

 centages for goats and kids are 12, 46, and 42. The U. S. Bureau 

 of Markets and Rural Organization* conducted an investigation 

 in 1915 which indicated that 43 per cent, of sheep and lambs are 

 marketed in the fall, 13 per cent, are marketed in winter, 18 per 

 cent, are marketed in the spring, and 26 per cent, are marketed 

 in summer. Maximum receipts occur in September and October, 

 at which time large numbers of western sheep and lambs arrive 

 at the markets. Minimum receipts are usually registered in 

 May. 



The fourteen largest sheep markets and their total receipts 

 during the year 1918 were as follows: 



1. Chicago. . . .4,629,736 8. St. Paul. . . .630,203 



2. Omaha 3,385,696 9. Pittsburg 552,848 



3. Kansas City 1,667,463 10. St. Louis 536,406 



4. Denver 1,651,759 11. Salt Lake City 423,664 



5. Buffalo 903,553 12. Sioux City 387,423 



6. St. Joseph 827,489 13. Fort Worth 334,596 



7. Pueblo 761,959 14. Cleveland 287,422 



The Chicago sheep market is easily the largest in the world. 

 The total value of sheep and lambs received there during 1918 

 was $57,273,848. Their average value per head was $12.37. 

 Their average live weight was 78 pounds. Their average price 

 per cwt. was $15.86. Of the 4,629,736 sheep received, 3,424,526 

 were slaughtered by Chicago packers, and the remaining 1,205,210 

 were shipped out alive. Of the latter number, 237,204 were 

 shipped to other points for slaughter, and 967,996 were bought 

 for feeding purposes and sent to the country. 



*U. S. Dept. Agr. Report 113, p. 19, by Hall, Simpson, and Doty. 



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