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

Sept. 28

Compared to Sept. 21: Slaughter cattle $3 lower with dressed sales in Nebraska sold $5-5.50 lower. Packer demand moderate at best. Slaughter rates are moderate and beef prices are on the decline. Boxed beef prices Sept. 28 averaged $183.77 down $4.83 from Sept. 21. The Choice/Select spread is at $11.04. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through Sept. 28 totaled about 67,723. The previous week's total head count was 113,949.

Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls $2-5 lower.

USDA's Cutter cow carcass cut-out value Sept. 28 was $160.67 down $1.91 from Sept. 21.

NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo.

Sept. 28

This week Last week Last year

327,800 270,000 359,200

Compared to Sept. 21, feeder steers and heifers ended the week unevenly steady after opening the trading session on a continued higher note and then turning lower by midweek. Calf prices were weak to $4 lower across most major trading areas with the Southeastern markets suffering the full extent of the losses with fewer orders coming in from the western states. The Sept. 25 sharply lower futures market was the catalyst for lower cash feeders this week as investment funds were suddenly pulled from Chicago's Live Cattle pit. Yearling buyers immediately lowered their bids in an effort to keep their purchases within ear-shot of a fully hedged position.

A widespread moisture-packing cool front moved across much of the Southern Plains this week, allowing wheat producers to plant previously parched crop ground from eastern New Mexico to eastern Kansas. This moisture will undoubtedly improve the demand for stocker calves later this fall, but wheat pastures need a little time and warm sunny days to sprout. Northern Plains markets resisted much of the market pressure on both calves and yearlings this week as temperatures have been milder and farmer-feeders are wrapping up this year's disappointing harvest. However, supplemental feed is more plentiful in the Midwest and cattle growers are anxious to acquire their fall purchases as most believe offerings will much tighter this fall than normal. The United Producers Market in Maryville, Mo., celebrated their 25th Anniversary this Sept. 25 by selling over 500 head in the 800-900 lb. top quality steer section with an average of 861 lbs. at $145.05. Fed cattle prices were mostly $3 lower on a live basis at $123, while dressed sales lost $4-5 from $190-191. This week's reported auction volume included 39 percent over 600 lbs. and 43 percent heifers.

AUCTIONS

This week Last week Last year

233,800 224,100 225,700

WASHINGTON 2,100. 73 pct over 600 lbs. 43 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 500-550 lbs. $138.30; 550-600 lbs. $138.86; 600-650 lbs. $137.48; 650-700 lbs. $134.94; 700-750 lbs. $134; 750-800 lbs. $129.19; 800-850 lbs. $123. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 450-500 lbs. $138.65; 550-600 lbs. $130.23; 600-650 lbs. $129.80; 650-700 lbs. $127.57; 700-750 lbs. $117.87.

DIRECT

This week Last week Last year

34,400 42,100 74,900

SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 800. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 100 pct heifers. Medium and Large 1-2 FOB Current 725 lbs. $124.50; 810 lbs. $122.

NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 1,100. 19 pct over 600 lbs. 55 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB 450 lbs. $170 Idaho; 550-600 146 Washington; 550-600 lbs. $160 October-November Oregon; 600-700 lbs. $137-143 calves October-November Washington. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB 400-450 lbs. $162 Idaho; 550 lbs. $138 Washington; 550-600 lbs. $131-136 October-November Washington; 550-600 lbs. $152 value added October-November Oregon.

NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE

(USDA Market News)

Moses Lake, Wash.

Sept. 28

This week Last week Last year

1,100 4,750 2,700

Compared to last week, not enough Stocker or feeder cattle reported this week for accurate trends. Trade slow as most local sale barns are having special calf sales with light to moderate demand for calves and light demand for yearlings as most feedlots are backed up as local processing plants cut kills. The feeder supply included 55 percent steers and 45 percent heifers. Near 19 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: Current FOB Price: 450 lbs. $170 Idaho; 550-600 lbs. $146 Washington. Future Delivery FOB Price: 550-600 lbs. $160 for October-November Oregon; 600-700 lbs. $137-143 calves for October-November Washington.

Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 400-450 lbs. $162 Idaho; 550 lbs. $138 Washington. Future Delivery FOB Price: 550-600 lbs. $131-136 for October-November Washington; 550-600 lbs. $152 value added for October-November Oregon.