Market News

Thursday midday cash livestock markets

Direct cattle markets are quiet at midday on Thursday, but packer inquiry is starting to improve. Asking prices are holding around $153 Live in the South and $246+ Dressed in the North. Bids are at $147 Live in Kansas, and $149 Live and $239 Dressed in Nebraska. Significant trade volume will either start this afternoon or wait until Friday.

At the Hub City Livestock Auction in South Dakota, estimated receipts were 2,850 head, down sharply on both the week and the year. Prices were uneven, from a dollar lower to seven higher. Demand was good to very good, with a good quality offering and an active market. 852 to 859 pound feeder steers sold at $162 to $174.25 and 653 to 698 pound heifers ranged from $173 to $185.50.

Boxed beef at midday was lower. Choice was down $.69 at $232.95 and Select $1.19 lower at $222.47.

Cash hog markets are mostly steady, but do have a lower undertone. National Direct barrows and gilts were down $2.24 at $123.86 to $129, with a weighted average of $124.57. The Eastern Cornbelt, Western Cornbelt, and Iowa/Southern Minnesota were not reported due to confidentiality. Terminals are mostly steady, instance of $3 lower at Dorchester, with tops at $85 to $99. Missouri Direct butcher trade is steady at $120 to $121, with sows unchanged to a dollar higher at $73 to $92.

The pork carcass cutout value, FOB at the plant, is $2 lower at $131.74. Picnics and bellies were higher, with all other primals lower, including an $11.39 drop for ribs.