NATIONAL FEEDER

AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo. Jan. 21

RECEIPTS

This Week Last Week Last Year

425,800 387,600 148,400

Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers in the Southeast sold 5.00 to 10.00 higher, while the Central part of the country was steady to 5.00 higher.

Good to very good demand again this week for all weights of steers and heifers, yet there was some pressure on the market at late week markets as the CME Live and Feeder Cattle contracts were down Thursday and that was enough to give some cattle feeders pause and slowed their pursuit of feeder cattle.

Auction receipts were very large as auctions got back to business this week after weather disrupted commerce the previous week and this is typically the busiest time of the year in some areas for marketing of cattle. A few markets barns hadn’t had an auction in nearly a month due to the holidays and the days winter weather arrived. Those barns obviously posted big gains as they had to play a little catch up to get prices back to current levels.

There was a few of the southern sales that didn’t see as large runs as they might have expected as there was plenty of country roads that hadn’t seen enough sun to make getting trucks in and out feasible.

Markets have been unbelievably strong and have set new record after new record recently. The volume of cattle that have been offered and sold across the nation since the start of the year has also caused a little market pressure as cattle feeders filled a lot of empty pens already. Winter has ranged from dry to wet in places nationwide and is very different in terms of taking care of cattle.

In those wet places, we must remember we are still in winter, and snow and ice can make cow comfort challenging as wind chills below zero makes it hard on man and beast.

Feed conversion falls as well so moving cattle a few weeks to a month early hasn’t been a hard choice in most cases when big prices have been waiting at the barns.

Although not every sale may be a new record, prices are still impressive and for the most part, producers that are marketing cattle currently are doing so at prices they have never previously received. Negotiated sales of slaughter steers and heifers in the Southern Plains sold steady to 1.00 higher at 201.00. In Nebraska, live sales were steady to 2.00 higher at 203.00 to 205.00, while dressed sales sold 2.00 higher at 322.00. For the week, Choice Boxed beef closed on Friday at 333.69, 0.85 higher and Select closed at 319.83, 5.69 higher.

Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 603K, 14K more than last week and 2K less than a year ago. Auction volume this week included 57 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 40 percent heifers.

NORTHWEST WEIGHTED AVERAGE DIRECT FEEDER CATTLE

Weekly Summary WA-OR-ID-UT Jan. 24

THIS WEEK LAST WEEK LAST YEAR

1,034 1,224 296

Compared to last report: Not enough comparable sales for a market trend. Demand good Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (60.5% Steers, 39.5% Heifers). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 82%. Unless otherwise noted, Feeder Cattle prices FOB based on net weights after a 2-3% shrink or equivalent, with a 8-12 cent slide > 600 lbs. and 20-30 cent slide < 600 lbs. Livestock reported this week originated from CA, ID, OR, UT, WA.

Steers — Medium and Large 1

180 head: 725 lbs, 279.50 Current DEL

21 head: 775 lbs, 265.00 Current DEL

Steers — Medium and Large 1-2

93 head: 910 lbs, 238.50 Current FOB

54 head: 600 lbs, 310.00 Current DEL

190 head: 820 lbs, 257.00 Current DEL

Steers — Medium and Large 2

88 hear: 550 lbs, 310.00 Current DEL

Heifers — Medium and Large 1

32 head: 600 lbs; 285.00 Current DEL

140 head: 675 lbs; 267.50 Current DEL

49 head: 721 lbs; 258.78 Current DEL

16 head: 800 lbs; 240.00 Current DEL

Heifers — Medium and Large 1-2

23 head: 800 lbs; 229.50 Current FOB

88 head: 550 lbs; 290.00 Current DEL

60 head: 775 lbs; 245.00 Current DEL

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