Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

Cash cattle country had some bids surfacing in several feeding areas Thursday morning at $185 in Kansas, $185 to $187 live and $290 dressed in Nebraska, and $185 in Colorado. So far, those have been passed. Asking prices are around $187 to $188 in the South and $292-plus in the North.

Beef export sales of 14,300 tons were up 1% from the previous week and 8% from the four-week average, with Japan, South Korea, and China leading the pack. 3,100 tons for 2025 delivery were mainly to South Korea and Japan.

Boxed beef was higher at midday with Choice up $.26 at $306.65 and Select up $2.56 at $273.55. The Choice/Select spread was $33. 10.

At the Hub City Livestock Auction in South Dakota on Wednesday, steer calves 450 to 600 pounds sold $2 to $12 higher with heavier weights mostly steady. Feeder heifers 450 to 549 pounds were trended from $3 to $4 higher to $3 to $6 lower. USDA says there was good to very good demand for yearling cattle this week. The feature consignment was a string of 1000 steers, several other loads and a few packages of yearlings. Feeder supply included 68% steers, 32% heifers, and 58% of the offering was over 600 pounds. Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 551 to 589 pounds brought $315 to $334.50. Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 464 to 497 pounds sold for $302.50 to $317.

Cash hogs are quiet with no negotiated movement at the major direct markets and very light formula trade. Either all buyers have the needed near-term numbers in hand or there are widespread issues with reporting. Those major direct markets did see a higher close Wednesday, with light to moderate negotiated movement. Parts of the region are seeing more seasonal temperatures, and some areas in the Midwest have had light snowfall, but probably not enough to drastically impact business.

Pork export sales of 18,100 tons were down 9% on the week and unchanged from the four-week average, primarily to Mexico, South Korea, and Japan. 2,500 tons for 2025 delivery were mostly to Australia and South Korea.

Barrows and gilts at the National Daily Direct had no comparisons at midday, but had a five-day rolling average of $83.58. The five-day rolling average is $83.96 in Iowa/Minnesota and $83.90 in the Western Corn Belt. The Eastern Corn Belt was not reported due to confidentiality.

Pork values were higher at midday – up $.55 at $95.15. Bellies were sharply higher, up $10.39 at $144.90. Ribs, butts, and loins were higher. Hams and picnics were lower.