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.

Jan. 27

This week Last week Last year

323,200 455,800 383,500

Compared to Jan. 20, feeder cattle prices were firm to $5 higher (mostly $2-5 higher) with the full advance on the 650-850 lb. short yearling types. Much of the current offering will soon be celebrating their first birthdays and possess a long-weaned condition that will allow them to perform like true yearlings, which have been scarce for the last few months. The mild winter throughout the central portion of the country has been ideal for cattle growing with efficient weight gains posted at every level of production. Stocker and feeder prices continue to reach new milestones each week as buyers of these cattle reach deeper into their pockets. The purchasing of grass stockers is in full bloom even though the first signs of green grass are at least 60-90 days out.

The semi-annual cattle inventory report on Jan. 27 showed that the total number of cattle in the U.S. is down a full 2 percent from a year ago (lowest since 1952) and headcounts of beef cows are down 3 percent. For once, these data add up as the number of beef cows harvested in 2011 was 8.2 percent more than the previous three-year average, 13.7 percent more than the previous 5-year average, and 21.7 percent more than the previous 10-year average. The Southern Plains drought definitely had an impact with Texas beef cow inventories down over 13 percent and Oklahoma down over 14 percent from a year earlier. Demand outweighs supply and now that our exports have fully regained pre-BSE levels, cow/calf producers are finally sitting in the driver's seat. Naturally, the demand for replacement quality heifers is spiking with over 400 head selling through the regular feeder cattle auction in Bassett, Neb., with an average weight of 692 lbs and an average price of $183.59 or over $1270 per head. M

This week's high steer quotes were also found in upstate Nebraska with two loads of drug-free source and age verified 650 lb. steers at $187.75, and another load weighing 730 lbs at $176.50. By late Friday, the direct fed cattle trade had yet to materialize with packers tired of working with negative margins and feedlots determined to hold steady money. This week's reported auction volume included 52 percent over 600 lbs and 41 percent heifers.

AUCTIONS

This week Last week Last year

258,400 298,500 296,700

WASHINGTON 2,100. 79 pct over 600 lbs. 46 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 500-550 lbs. $166.97; 550-600 lbs. $165.42; 600-650 lbs. $152.72; 650-700 lbs. $154.30; 700-750 lbs. $151.29; 750-800 lbs. $146.37; part load 820 lbs. $145; 900-950 lbs. $125.70. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 450-500 lbs. $157.41; 550-600 lbs. $151.38; 600-650 lbs. $147.84; 650-700 lbs. $146.29; 700-750 lbs. $141.50.

DIRECT

This week Last week Last year

50,000 82,000 62,300

SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 1,400. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Holsteins: Large 3 Current 310 lbs. $161 del.; May 300 lbs. $170 del..

NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 10,100. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 22 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current 700 lbs. $148 Idaho; September 750 lbs. $151 calves Oregon; March-February 800-900 lbs. $141-146 2013 Idaho-Washington-Oregon; 600-650 lbs. $151 Idaho del.; 750 lbs. $140 Idaho del.; May-July 900 lbs. $145-148 Washington-Oregon-Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 September 700 lbs

NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE

(USDA Market News)

Moses Lake, Wash.

Jan. 27

This week Last week Last year

10,100 2,700 2,100

Compared to last week, Feeder cattle steady. Trade very active after last week's bullish on feed report with good demand especially for contracting of yearlings from May through February 2013. The feeder supply included 78 percent steers and 22 percent heifers. Near 100 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 Prices: 700 lbs. $148 Idaho. Current Delivered Prices: 600-650 lbs. $151 Idaho; 750 lbs. $140 Idaho. Future FOB Prices: 750 lbs. $151 calves for September Oregon; 800-900 lbs. $141-146 for March-February 2013 Idaho-Washington-Oregon. Future Delivered Prices: 900 lbs. $145-148 for May-July Washington-Oregon-Idaho.

Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Future FOB Prices: 700 lbs. $147 calves for September Oregon; Future Delivered Prices: 800-850 lbs. $143-145 for May-July Washington-Oregon-Idaho.

Replacement Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Prices: 650-700 lbs. $150 Idaho.