Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair or head as indicated.

NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo.

Oct. 26

This week Last week Last year

307,600 381,100 397,000

Compared to Oct. 26, a light supply of yearlings along with a much heavier offering of calves weighing over 650 lbs. and bound for confined feeding facilities sold steady to $2 lower. Steer and heifer calves throughout the Plains and the Midwest traded unevenly steady, while Southeastern calf markets saw their calves sell steady to $4 higher as backgrounders leave October in its own dust and wide ranging temperature swings. Calf prices have been extremely volatile this fall, but actually regional weighted averages for 400-600 lb. calves are roughly only $2-4 higher than they were late in the summer after rebounding from the July drought selloff. Most buyers have shown good demand and general desire to take lightweights through the winter, but feed/water shortages along with health challenges have kept the market in check. Most cattlemen agree that ownership of yearling feeders or middle-weight grazing cattle will be prime property come springtime. The once bright wheat pasture outlook is badly in need of a rain across the Southern Plains and farther north precious pond water is at its lowest point in memory. Backgrounders don't want to find themselves in the precarious position of hauling hay and water all winter long, like many cow/calf producers will be as they struggle to hold on to their core herd. Still, preconditioned lightweights with the right address can achieve handsome price levels as seen on Oct. 30 at the special feeder auction in Pratt, Kan. A reputation string of longtime weaned, A-I sired, black-hided steers from the Mule Creek Ranch outside Coldwater, Kan., made their way to town. A pot-load weighing 390 lbs. brought $236, while 120 head of 461 pounders sold for $206.50, and 50,000 pounds of their 500 lb. big brothers dropped the gavel at $188. A decent rain or a wet blanket of snow would sure help the wheat to feed these calves the next five months, but nothing like the one Hurricane Sandy packed as it devastated the eastern seaboard. Major beef cattle production is not prevalent in the affected areas, but most cattle auctions and packing plants were closed on Oct. 30 and several small ethnic-based slaughter facilities in New York and New Jersey may be shuttered for an extended period. Undoubtedly, the gridlock in the densely populated cities will hamper meat sales in the region, even though shelves were cleaned out in anticipation of the storm. Indeed, boxed beef cut-out values have plunged about $8 since reaching near record levels last week. The 5-Area direct slaughter cattle market was steady to $2 lower this week on light volume from $126-127 and $195-197 dressed. This week's reported auction volume included only 33 percent over 600 lbs. and 40 percent heifers.

AUCTIONS

This week Last week Last year

265,200 302,700 338,400

WASHINGTON 4,600. 62 pct over 600 lbs. 37 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 450-500 lbs. $158.74; 500-550 lbs. $141.96, value added 151.65; 550-600 lbs. $142.34; 600-650 lbs. $139.14, value added 145.74; 650-700 lbs. $136.77, value added 145.94; 700-750 lbs. $135.09; 750-800 lbs. $133.76; 850-900 lbs. $118.73. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 350-400 lbs. $155; 400-450 lbs. $143.17; 450-500 lbs. $141.73; 500-550 lbs. $135.22; 550-600 lbs. $133.45; 600-650 lbs. $131.21; 650-700 lbs. $129.66; 700-750 lbs. $128.96; 750-800 lbs. $122.12.

DIRECT

This week Last week Last year

35,800 49,800 51,400

SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 1900. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Holsteins: Large 3 Current 300 lbs. $140 del.; December 275 lbs. $145 del.; February 275 lbs. $150-153 del.

NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 2600. 53 pct over 600 lbs. 54 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 550-600 lbs. $165.50-166 Oregon; 650-700 lbs. $144-145 calves Washington-Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $144 Washington; 850 lbs. $134 Washington; 450 lbs. $174.50 for December Oregon; 600 lbs. $155 value added calves for December Washington. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 500-600 lbs. $131-145 Oregon-Washington; 650-700 lbs. $135 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $126 Washington; Current delivered Price 850 lbs. $134 Idaho; Future delivery FOB Price 400-450 lbs. $182 for December Oregon.

NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE

(USDA Market News)

Moses Lake, Wash.

Nov. 2

This week Last week Last year

2,600 3,000 1,200

Compared to Oct. 26, Stocker and feeder cattle steady to $3 higher in a light test. Trade remains slow as most local feedlots have plenty bought ahead for the time being. Demand remains good. The feeder supply included 46 percent steers and 54 percent heifers. Near 53 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: 550-600 lbs. $165.50-166 Oregon; 650-700 lbs. $144-145 calves Washington-Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $144 Washington; 850 lbs. $134 Washington. Future delivery FOB Price: 450 lbs. $174.50 for December Oregon; 600 lbs. $155 value added calves for December Washington.

Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 500-600 lbs. $131-145 Oregon-Washington; 650-700 lbs. $135 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $126 Washington. Current delivered Price: 850 lbs. $134 Idaho. Future delivery FOB Price: 400-450 lbs. $182 for December Oregon.