Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

The main item of business in cattle country on Monday is the distribution of this week’s showlists. The bulk of last week’s business took place on Thursday. Southern live deals ranged from 125.50 to 128.50, generally 2.00 higher than the previous week. In the North dressed business was from 200.00 to 208.00, roughly 6.00 to 7.00 higher than the previous week’s top. The sales on the low end of ranges were for cattle with delayed delivery dates.

Boxed beef cutout values are higher in the morning report, choice beef up 1.44 at 213.52, and select 1.58 higher at 201.06.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Eastern Missouri Commission Company at Bowling Green totaled 2429 cattle on Friday. Compared to the last special three weeks ago, calves and yearlings all traded steady to firm on comparable sales. Friday’s offering included a nice run of weaned calves and yearlings selling with good demand, also in the mix were numerous lots and packages of new crop un-weaned fleshy calves selling with light demand. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 578 pounds averaged 169.59 per hundredweight. 618 pound heifers brought 139.20.

Iowa hay prices remained mostly steady last week. Higher quality hay continues to be hard to come by. Warming temperatures have producers looking to return animals to pastures. Premium small squares of alfalfa brought 180.00 to 240.00 per ton. Large rounds 150.00 to 180.00. Good large rounds 70.00 to 100.00 per ton.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota and Western direct trade areas are not reported due to confidentiality. Nationally the hog market is .90 lower at 55.16 weighted average on a carcass basis, live basis is .75 higher with an average of 45.34. Missouri direct base carcass meat price was steady 49.00 to 50.00. Midwest direct hogs are steady to 2.00 lower from 35.00 to 36.00.

The pork carcass cutout value is up .67 at 75.25 FOB plant. Ribs and loins up the most.

After skyrocketing earlier this year pork belly prices are getting back to more normal levels, attractive enough that retailers will be able to put together forward packages for BLT season that could spark another sharp rally in the belly complex according to DTN analysts.