26 



City and Omaha. In these markets, it is the opinion of the 

 writer that less difference, exists in the cost of feeders of diff- 

 erent ages, the quality being the same. 



OLDER CATTLE IN BETTER DEMAND ON THE MARKET. 



It has already been pointed out that a part of the excess 

 cost in making gains on older cattle is offset by the lower price 

 at which feeders are laid in. Another important part is, in the 

 average case, offset by the extra price per pound which the older 

 steer of average quality and finish will bring on the market. 

 It is true, as has already been stated, that the yearling steer 

 weighing 900 to 1,000 pounds, if of high quality and fully fin- 

 ished, will sell as well as any other age or weight, provided not 

 too many of them are offered at once. It must not be forgotten, 

 however, that plain steers of this age and weight, and even 

 cattle of excellent quality but not fully fat, will not sell as well 

 as older cattle of similar quality and in similar condition. Fur- 

 thermore, there is only a limited use to which the lighter and 

 highly finished carcass is put. When that demand is satisfied, 

 unlike in the case of the 1,300 or 1,400 pound dressed beef 

 steer, there is no other equally good place to use him. It seems 

 that this class of beef is bought almost wholly on orders, and 

 so long as the supply is as limited as it is, the animals bring 

 a good price, but the packers will not fill their coolers with 

 this sort of beef and hold it until a demand arises, except at a 

 very sharp decline from standard prices. In this respect 

 apparently the market demand for very heavy cattle 3 year 

 olds, weighing from 1,506 to 1,600 pounds for hotel and resort 

 trade, is much like the demand for 900 or 1,000 pound steers 

 in that so long as there is not an over supply it is in strong 

 demand at good prices. The uses to which these carcasses are 

 put are so limited however that the moment the offerings are 

 in excess of the demand the price declines sharply, as compared 

 with the steer of medium weight, 1,300 to 1,400 pounds, com- 

 monly known as the dressed beef steer. 



