Cattle Market Reports

Compiled by USDA Market News Service * Oklahoma City-Des Moines-St. Joseph-Moses Lake.

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. 25

This week Last week Last year

255,100 477,200 323,200

Compared to Jan 17, feeder cattle sold $3-5 lower. Stocker cattle and calves traded unevenly steady with heavier calves (over 550 lbs.) having instances as much as $5 lower while lightweight calves (under 450 lbs.) experienced spots as much as 10 higher where available. Most pressure was lent from last week's lower CME futures market and fed cattle trade, as this week saw the Board closed on Monday and showing signs of support by midweek. Some late-week markets that suffered the full decline last week were mostly steady to slightly higher this week. The bulk of the fed cattle trade occurred on Jan. 23 with live sales $1-3 lower at mostly $122, but on Jan. 24 there was minimal trade steady to $1.50 higher in the Northern feedlot areas from $122-124.

Both feeder and finished cattle cash markets seemed to be finding fairly solid footing by week's end after a whirlwind opening to 2013 with buyers frantic to fill needs the first full week of business and then pulling in the reins. However, cattle feeders and backgrounders are keeping a close eye to the rapid drop in offerings with nationwide auction receipts 35 percent lighter than the opening week stampede just two weeks prior.

Due to feed and water shortages, producers have been selling cattle ahead of schedule for well over a year and many have now gotten down to those that are just about to be born.

Backgrounders are not hiding their desire to own lightweight cattle as spring has found too many of them short-bought for the last few years. At the St. Joseph, Mo., Stockyards on Jan. 23 the Bell family from Warrensburg, Mo., made their way to town with nearly 600 head of top quality longtime weaned black cattle with ideal condition.

A short load of the steers weighing 521 lbs. topped the market at $195.10 with another 105 head of their big sisters tipping the scales at 682 lbs. and bringing $149.10 (not for replacement). Significant moisture is needed across most of the Plains and the Midwest if the rally on grazing cattle is to continue into spring. Many area producers are starting to give up hope, but rains and snows are starting to close-in from all sides and Mother Nature is bound to show some mercy sooner or later. Besides, the dead of winter is not such a bad time to endure extended drought. The current week's reported auction volume included 49 percent over 600 lbs. and 41 percent heifers.

AUCTIONS

This week Last week Last year

226,000 293,100 258,400

WASHINGTON 1,000. 77 pct over 600 lbs. 80 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 few 650-700 lbs. $133.41; pkg 813 lbs. $130.50. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Replacement 550-600 lbs. $138.93; few 600-650 lbs. $132.60; 650-700 lbs. $127.41; few 750-800 lbs. $122.76.

DIRECT

This week Last week Last year

44,700 33,400 50,000

SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) No Direct sales reported.

NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 2,700. 71 pct over 600 lbs. 41 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price, 500-550 lbs. $167 Idaho; 750 lbs. $137 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price, 900 lbs. $135 for February-April Washington-Oregon. Holsteins: Large 3 Current FOB Price, 300-350 lbs. $110-115 Washington. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price, 450-500 lbs. $157 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price, 850 lbs. $130 for February-April Washington-Oregon.

NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

Oklahoma City-Des Moines

Jan. 25

Compared to Jan. 17: Slaughter cattle sold $1 lower. Dressed sales in Nebraska were mostly steady. Packer demand moderate. Boxed beef prices at noon Jan. 25 averaged $185.10 down $1.67 from Jan. 17. The Choice/Select spread is at $5.82. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through Jan. 25 totaled about 100,092 head. The previous week's total head count was 54,365.

Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400 lbs. $122-124 Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers: $198, few $199.

South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 35-65 percent Choice, 1100-1400 lbs. $122

Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls unevenly steady to $3 higher.

USDA's Cutter cow carcass cut-out value the morning of Jan. 25 was $163.32 down $1.10 from Jan. 17.

NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE

(USDA Market News)

Moses Lake, Wash.

Jan. 25

This week Last week Last year

2,660 500 10,100

Compared to last week, not enough feeder cattle reported last week for accurate trends, however a lower undertone was noted. Trade slow to moderate with moderate demand as a few feedlots remain at capacity and are off the market. The feeder supply included 59 percent steers and 41 percent heifers. Near 71 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: 500-550 lbs. $167 Idaho; 750 lbs. $137 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price: 900 lbs. $135 for February-April Washington-Oregon.

Holstein Steers: Large 2-3: Current FOB Price: 300-350 lbs. $110-115 Washington.

Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 450-500 lbs. $157 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price: 850 lbs. $130 for February-April Washington-Oregon.