NATIONAL FEEDER

AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo.

May 20

RECEIPTS

This Week Last Week Last Year

221,100 202,300 206,200

Compared to last week, steers and heifers sold 1.00 to 5.00 higher. Demand was moderate to very good for all classes and types of bovines this week as ranchers are looking to alternatives to calves to fill summer grass needs.

Demand for replacement females has been good this whole spring and continues to be. Cattle feeders paid little attention to the futures contracts as they know full well how tight supplies of fed cattle in the northern plains really are. Feeder offerings have been light to moderate and when a good-sized sale is held the market is incredibly active as the grass how now taken off growing as some heat has finally shown up in the Northern Plains.

Auction receipts will be light throughout the summer for the most part, outside the annual summer barbecue sales that will be held in June. Cattle feeders can see how there are fewer cattle in the country and know they will have to give more to get their cattle bought that they need.

Corn planting is moving along, however, some areas have been inundated with rain and planters have slowed for two to three weeks. With the warm weather and ample moisture, early planted corn and soybeans are growing very quickly now with growing degree days coming.

Currently, there is a lot of optimism in the cattle industry, despite the futures contracts that are dollars under the current cash markets.

Hay producers are ready to get a start on forage harvesting if they can get across fields without rutting them up as rain showers are in forecasts in many locations across the country this week.

Live sales of negotiated cash fed cattle trade in the Southern Plains sold 2.00 to 3.00 higher at 186.00. In Nebraska, live sales sold 3.00 to 4.00 higher at 190.00, while the dressed sales sold 2.00 to 3.00 higher at 298.00 to 300.00.

Choice boxed beef closed the week 18.88 higher at 313.45 while Select was 13.23 higher at 297.40 for the same period.

Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 598K, 24K less than last week and 42K less than a year ago. Year to Date Cattle Slaughter is currently 570K less than a year ago. Auction volume this week included 54 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 43 percent heifers.

Northwest Weighted Average Direct Feeder Cattle

Weekly Summary WA-OR-ID-UT

May 24

THIS WEEK LAST WEEK LAST YEAR

1,887 2,817 240

Compared to last week: Feeder cattle did not have enough comparable sales to establish a trend. Demand moderate. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (19.2% Steers, 32.9% Dairy Steers, 7.4% Heifers, 40.5% Dairy Heifers). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 100%. Unless otherwise noted, Feeder Cattle prices FOB based on net weights after a 2% shrink or equivalent, with a 8-12 cent slide >600 lbs. Livestock reported this week originated from ID, OR.

Steers — Medium and Large 1

150 head: 850 lbs, 237.00 Current DEL

Steers — Medium and Large 1-2

142 head: 875 lbs; 230.00 Current DEL

70 head: 925 lbs; 220.00 Current DEL

Dairy Steers — Medium and Large 1-2

620 head: 650 lbs; 264.00 Jun FOB

Heifers — Medium and Large 1

140 head: 860 lbs, 222.00 Current DEL

Dairy Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2

765 head: 600 lbs, 254.00 Jun FOB

Northwest Direct — https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/AMS_3059.pdf

Northwest Direct — https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/AMS_3059.pdf

Northwest Direct — https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/AMS_3059.pdf