NATIONAL FEEDER

AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo.

March 18

RECEIPTS

This Week Last Week Last Year

237,600 306,200 284,200

Compared to last week, Feeder Steers and Heifers sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher, with instances from 7.00-10.00 higher throughout the bulk of all trade regions. Besides some of the lightweight calves going to grass some of the sharpest gains have been on mid-weight calves from 600-750 lbs all selling on a very active market. Every weight and class of feeders is fully entrenched at price levels that the stars continue to line up for this feeder market; as tight supplies, very good demand and affordable inputs keep buyers so far coming back to the well.

One comment heard around sale barns is feeder cattle are easy to sell and getting harder to buy.

On the other hand, buyers that are trying to assemble numbers and/or fill orders have and understanding of current conditions. There were many impressive prices seen around the country this week at Winter Livestock in La Junta, Colo., on Tuesday sold 56 fancy steers weighing 425 lbs at 410.00 cwt, 383 head of thin fleshed heifers weighing between 500 and 550 lbs averaging 511 lbs sold for a weighted average price of 315.82.

At the Lolli Livestock Market in Macon, Mo., on Tuesday sold 60 hd of heifers weighing 602 lbs for 287.75. In Aberdeen, S.D., at the Hub City Livestock sale on Wednesday sold 604 hd of steers weighing between 650-700 lbs averaging 684 lbs sold for a weighted average price of 294.69 and 557 hd of their bigger brothers weighing from 700-750 lbs averaging 722 lbs sold for a weighted average price of 286.48.

In Torrington, Wyo., on Wednesday at Torrington Livestock sold 243 hd of 700-750 lb steers averaging 719 lbs for a weighted average price of 285.46. Mitchell, S.D., on Thursday sold 759 hd of steers weighing between 800-850 lbs averaging 820 lbs for a weighted average price of 256.83.

In Ogallala, Neb., on Thursday sold 436 steers weighing 600-650 lbs with a weighted average of 618 lbs sold for a weighted average price of 318.42 and the list continues on as buyers flex their muscle in pursuing all classes of feeder cattle.

Packers continue to slash slaughter levels after three straight weeks of sub-600,000 this week’s slaughter is estimated at 601,000, in effort to keep boxed-beef prices elevated.

Boxed-beef prices continue to grind higher with choice up 1.12 at 311.90 and Select closing .71 cents higher at 302.40, compare to last Friday’s close with Choice at 307.04 and select at 297.43.

Feedlot trade in the Southern Plains was mostly at 186.00 with the Northern Plains-Western Corn Belt ranging from 187.00 to 189.00.

Weekly Livestock Slaughter under Federal Inspection week to date estimated at 601K, 18K more than last week and 27K less than last year.

Auction volume consisted of 55% over 600 lbs and 46% heifers.

Northwest Weighted Average Direct Feeder Cattle

Weekly Summary WA-OR-ID-UT

March 8

This Week Last Week Last Year

695 268 3495

Compared to last week: Not enough comparable trades to test trends. Demand moderate to good. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (21.9% Steers, 78.1% Heifers). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 100%. Unless otherwise noted, Feeder Cattle prices FOB based on net weights after a 2-3% shrink or equivalent, with a 8-10 cent slide >600 lbs. Livestock reported this week originated from CA, OR.

Steers — Medium and Large 1

120 head: 745 lbs, 248.00 Current DEL

32 head: 754 lbs, 248.00 Current DEL

Heifers — Medium and Large 1

143 head: 725 lbs, 236.00 Current DEL

400 head: 825 lbs, 230.00 Apr-May DEL