NATIONAL FEEDER

AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo.

Nov. 25

RECEIPTS

This Week Last Week Last Year

278,800 260,900 94,900

Compared to last week, steers and heifers sold steady to 5.00 higher with instances up to 10.00 higher on the lightweight calves suitable for winter grazing.

With rain in the Southern Plains, wheat fields are starting to grow and the producers that graze wheat have picked up the pace and were aggressive in buying lightweight cattle to fill these pastures. This increased demand has really helped the light calf market in the country. Demand was good to very good. Cattle feeders continue to face breakeven prices higher than the cash fed cattle market at the present time.

With the higher prices on calves and yearlings recently, cattle feeders are hoping that the Live Cattle futures move above 190.00 while the cash fed cattle market this week was 185.00. Winter months of the Live Cattle futures below 190.00 is keeping some pressure on the feeder cattle market.

The CME Cattle Complex have been very supportive in the last couple weeks as Feeder Cattle futures were around 13.00 to 14.00 higher in that period while the spring-early summer Live Cattle futures were 3.00 to 4.00 higher.

Ole Man winter is expected to move into the middle of the country this week as temperatures are forecast to get below freezing. Some ranchers are liking the cold to stave off the BRD bugs that they may have had trouble with so far this fall.

The monthly Cattle on Feed Report was released on Friday without much in the way of any surprises. On feed and marketings were right as expected at 100% and 105% respectively, placements were slightly higher than the average pre-report estimate at 105% but within the range and it was viewed as a neutral report. The total on feed number came in at 11.986 million head, with this Nov. 1 exceeding 11.9 million head for the third time in 10 years.

Live sales of negotiated cash fed cattle trade in the South Plains sold 1.00 to 2.00 higher at 186.00 to 187.00. In Nebraska, live sales sold 2.00 to 3.00 higher at 187.00 to 188.00, while the dressed sales sold steady at 290.00. Choice boxed beef closed the week 4.07 higher at 307.41 while Select was 4.07 lower at 272.07 for the same period.

The Choice Select spread on Tuesday of this week stood at 36.88, the largest since September 2021. Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 631K, 25K more than last week and 97K more than a year ago (Thanksgiving Week).

Auction volume this week included 41% weighing over 600 lbs and 40% heifers.

All of us at USDA Livestock, Poultry and Grain Market News wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

NORTHWEST WEIGHTED AVERAGE DIRECT FEEDER CATTLE

Weekly Summary WA-OR-ID-UT

Nov. 22

THIS WEEK LAST WEEK LAST YEAR

485 228 180

Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers too lightly tested for a trend. Demand moderate. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (64.7% Steers, 35.3% 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 8-14 cent slide >600 lbs. Livestock reported this week originated from ID, OR, UT, WA.

Steers — Medium and Large 1

65 head: 725 lbs, 257.00 Current DEL

Steers — Medium and Large 1-2

65 head: 680 lbs, 248.38 Current FOB

55 head: 825 lbs, 234.38 Current FOB

19 head: 685 lbs, 252.00 Current DEL

110 head: 780 lbs, 247.00 Current DEL

Heifers — Medium and Large 1

43 head: 625 lbs; 246.00 Current DEL

110 head: 720 lbs; 236.00 Current DEL

Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2

18 head: 750 lbs; 227.00 Current DEL

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