Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

There are just a few bids on the cattle so far on Thursday at 133.00 live and 212.00 to 215.00 dressed in Nebraska, but packer inquiry is expected to improve as the day progresses. Asking prices are 132.00 to 134.00 in the South and 217.00 to 218.00 in the North. Significant trade volume should develop later today and or tomorrow.

Boxed beef cutout values are mixed, choice beef is down 1.00 at 222.00, select 216.55, up .75.

The St. Joseph, Missouri Stockyards had receipts of 3,714 feeder cattle on Wednesday. Compared to last week, steers were mostly 4.00 to 9.00 higher except 450 to 550 pounds steady after last week’s sharply higher trend for that weight group. Heifers weighing less than 550 pounds were steady to 3.00 higher and those over 550 pounds were 5.00 to 9.00 higher. Demand was good to very good throughout the day on heavy offerings, and the tops of the price ranges tested and in places surpassed towards the end of the sale. Feeder steers medium and large 1 weighing 738 pounds averaged 146.70 per hundredweight. 578 pound heifers averaged 146.14.

Sheep receipts at Kalona, Iowa totaled 513 head this week. Compared to last Wednesday slaughter lambs over 90 pounds were in limited offerings, but still fell in a mostly steady tend. Under 90 pounds were mostly steady. The trade was active with good demand. Slaughter lambs wooled choice 2 to 3 weighing 88 pounds brought 238.46 per hundredweight. Feeder lambs medium and large 1-2 weighing 45 pounds traded at 256.99 per hundredweight. There were 470 goats in the auction. All goats sold on a per head basis, The trade was very active with good demand. Slaughter kids selection 1 weighing 44 pounds averaged 151.34. Feeder kids’ selection 2 weighing 23 pounds averaged 55.43 per head.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade are 1.59 lower at 64.64 weighted average on a carcass basis, the West is down 1.54 also 64.64, nationally the hog market is 1.06 lower at 64.44. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady to 1.00 higher from 58.00 to 62.00. Midwest hogs on a live basis are steady from 40.00 to 42.00.

The pork carcass cutout value in the morning report is down 1.21 at 77.83 FOB plant.

For the week ending March 18, Iowa barrows and gilts averaged 281.6 pounds .3 pounds lighter than the previous week and .7 pounds smaller than 2016.