108 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



them according to breed, color, size, and type. They are then sold to 

 cattle feeders or to commission companies who are buying on orders. 



Seasonal variations in demands and prices. — As shown in Fig. 21, 

 page 81, the feeder movement at Chicago is at its height from Sep- 

 tember 1 to December 31, when the heavy run of western cattle comes 

 to market. October is the month of largest feeder shipments. During 

 20 years at Chicago, October was the high month 15 times, September 

 3 times, and November 2 times. In April, May, June, and July the 

 feeder movement is relatively small. 



Monthly and yearly average prices for stocker and feeder cattle 

 and calves at Chicago for ten years are given in the accompanying 

 table, 1 the highest monthly average of each year being given in bold- 

 face type and the lowest monthly average in parenthesis. 



'Records for 1914, 1915, and 1916 omitted because quarantine of yards prevented sale of feeder 

 cattle from November 1, 1914, to February 15, 1916. 

 2 Comparatively few sold, due to rail strike. 

 ' In striking this average an estimated price of $10.00 was allowed for April, 1920. 



It will be noted that the time of highest and lowest prices varies 

 greatly in different years, but that in all years, except one, highest 

 prices were paid in the spring months, March, April, and May. Lowest 

 prices were most often paid in January, but in every year the prices 

 in January were higher than in December of the preceding year. This 

 fact is reflected in the column of figures at the right, giving the ten-year 

 averages of monthly prices. This column shows that the prices of 

 feeder cattle are usually lowest in December and highest in April and 

 May. Following the December low spot there is a steady increase in 

 price until April. Following the high prices of the spring months 

 there is a fairly regular decline in price throughout the remainder of 

 the year. April and May prices averaged $1.25 higher than December 

 prices during the ten years. 



These facts should be taken into consideration in determining a 

 general buying policy. It may be best to buy cattle for summer 



^ Compiled from Drovers Journal Year Books of Figures. 



