Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

Private sources are reporting a few bids on the cattle on Friday at 133.00 to 136.00 live and 215.00 to 216.00 dressed. There was a light to moderate trade in most areas on Thursday from 133.00 to 134.00 in the South, steady to 1.00 higher than last week. Northern dressed trade ranged from 214.00 to 215.00, steady to 1.00 higher than last week. More trade is expected in the North today, but Southern business may be finished for the week.

Boxed beef cutout values are mixed with the choice up .34 at 77.01, and select down .17 at 205.62.

Feeder cattle receipts at Missouri Auctions this week totaled 36,137 head. Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifer calves sold steady to 5.00 lower with instance of 10.00 lower. Yearling heifers sold very uneven from 5.00 lower to 5.00 higher with the advance on high quality heifers being bought as replacements. The supply was moderate to heavy, and the demand remained good. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 675 pounds brought 171.40 per hundredweight. 673 pound heifers traded at 147.65.

Valentine Livestock Auction at Valentine, Nebraska had receipts of 4220 cattle on Thursday. There has not been a recent test of the market for an accurate comparison, so a trend was not given. Demand was good with several buyers in the stands. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 629 pounds traded at 183.58 per hundredweight. 621 pound heifers brought 170.34.

Sheep receipts at the Midwest Exchange Regional Stockyards at Mexico, Missouri totaled 453 head. Demand was moderate to good and the supply was moderate. The supply was nearly 75 percent sheep, and 25 percent goats. Slaughter lambs, non-traditional markets, choice and prime 2-4 weighing 50 to 60 pounds brought 215.00 to 227.00 per hundredweight. 175 goats in the run. Slaughter kids selection 1-2 weighing 60 to 80 pounds brought 240.00 to 250.00 per hundredweight.

At the Rock Valley, Iowa Hay auction on Thursday all classes were steady with last week. Premium to supreme quality alfalfa in large squares ranged from 162.50 to 170.00 per ton. Good large rounds and squares brought 112.50 to 135.00. Good large rounds and squares of grass ranged from 90.00 to 115.00 per ton.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade, west, and nationally are not reported due to confidentiality. The five day rolling average in Iowa/Minnesota at 63.12, West 62.99, and nationally 62.10. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady from 55.00 to 57.00. There are no reports on Midwest hogs on a live basis.

The pork carcass cutout value is down .34 at 77.01.

Proving once again the inability of the wholesale pork trade to sustain buying interest for more than a session or two, carcass value settled moderately lower on Thursday with all primal offerings eroding except the loin.