Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair or head as indicated.

NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

Oklahoma City-Des Moines

April 27

Compared to the previous week: Slaughter cattle sold $1-3 lower following sharp declines in the cattle futures early in the trading period. Many feedyards especially to the north traded only minimal numbers. Slaughter rates continue light and only giving a slight boost to beef prices.

Boxed beef prices the morning of April 27 averaged $188.95 up $2.75 from April 20. The Choice/Select spread is at $3.41. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through April 27 totaled about 52,350 head. The previous week's total head count was 125,831.

Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400 lbs. $120-122 Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers: few $194.

South Plains Direct Markets:

Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 35-65 percent Choice, 1100-1400 lbs. $119-120

Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows unevenly steady. Slaughter bulls steady to $3 lower.

USDA's Cutter cow carcass cut-out value Friday morning was $176.54 up $2.12 from April 20.

NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo.

April 27

This week Last week Last year

241,500 224,300 269,000

Compared to last week; feeder and stocker cattle traded steady to $3 lower with instances as much as $6 lower late Tuesday and early April 26, but late-week sales bounced back to early-week levels with some additional recovery noted. Reports surfaced on Tuesday that the fourth confirmed case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy was confirmed in a central California dairy cow, which sent CME cattle futures down-the-limit amid swirling hypertension within the industry. However, mainstream media calmly reported the situation and stressed the fact that the infected cow never got near our nation's food supply. Cash and futures cattle markets recovered their initial knee-jerk losses very quickly and producers were not overly affected unless they had the unfortunate timing of marketing on Tuesday afternoon. But the aftermath of the situation actually turned-out to be encouraging, that media outlets could report the first case since early 2006 with cool heads and equitable facts. Wednesday afternoon in Bassett, Neb., a 50 head draft of thin-fleshed top quality steers weighing 570 lbs. brought $201. Direct slaughter cattle trade ended the week $1-3 lower from $119-122 but the BSE case could only be blamed for a small percentage of the loss, which actually had more to do with the Board promoting early trades. Boxed beef cut-out values showed continued strength late in the week and are now within a few dollars of the whole dressed carcass, after being $18 back just two weeks ago. Feeder cattle auction numbers at some of the largest volume salebarns, including Oklahoma City and Joplin, were fairly heavy this week but nationwide receipts were still 16 percent lighter than last week as marketing seasonally slows. So far for the year, receipts are running 4.8 percent lighter than last year and 7.8 percent lighter than the five-year average. Many producers were busy planting corn in fair weather this week and making huge strides, whether they were making 6-row or 36-row passes. No matter the pace, this year's new-crop can't help satisfy the current demand for corn on shrinking stockpiles. Additional export demand this week pushed May CBOT contracts back over $6.50/bu with a 29 cent gain on April 27. This week's reported auction volume included 48 percent over 600 lbs. and 43 percent heifers.

AUCTIONS

This week Last week Last year

161,800 193,400 172,400

WASHINGTON 1,700. 46 pct over 600 lbs. 53 pct heifers. Steers Medium and Large 1-2 few 550-600 lbs. $151.81; few 650-700 lbs. $139.06; few 700-750 lbs. $135.57. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 550-600 lbs. $139.77; 600-650 lbs. $140.35; few 650-700 lbs. $136.92; few 700-750 lbs. $138.68.

DIRECT

This week Last week Last year

34,400 28,800 40,600

SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) There were no direct sales reported.

NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 1,900. 90 pct over 600 lbs. 29 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 FOB Current 750-800 lbs. $133 Oregon; November 600 lbs. $160 calves Oregon; 650-700 lbs. $140-149 calves Washington-Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $146 value added calves Washington; 850-900 lbs. $135 Washington-Oregon Del. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 FOB Current 750 lbs. $128 Oregon; November 550 lbs. $150 Oregon; October-November 600-650 lbs. $139-140 calves Washington-Idaho.

NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE

(USDA Market News)

Moses Lake, Wash.

April 27

This week Last week Last year

1,900 2,150 3,000

Compared to last week, feeder cattle for current and calves for fall delivery steady to $2 lower. Trade slow as the futures market was very volatile this week. Demand was light to moderate as most interests wait for next week's video. The feeder supply included 71 percent steers and 29 percent heifers. Near 90 percent of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or equivalent and with a 5-10 cent slide on calves and a 3-6 cent slide on yearlings.

Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: FOB Current Delivery Prices: 750-800 lbs. $133 Oregon. Current Delivered Prices: 850-900 lbs. $135 Washington-Oregon. Future Delivery FOB Prices: 600 lbs. $160 calves for November Oregon; 650-700 lbs. $140-149 calves for November Washington-Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $146 value added calves for November Washington.

Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: FOB Current Prices: 750 lbs. $128 Oregon. Future Delivery FOB Prices: 550 lbs. $150 for November Oregon; 600-650 lbs. $139-140 calves for October-November Washington-Idaho.