Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

There are a few scattered bids in cattle country on Thursday at 124.00 in Kansas and 202.00 to 205.00 in Nebraska, and packer inquiry is expected to improve as the day progresses. Asking prices are around 130.00 to 132.00 in the South, and 210.00 plus in the North.

Boxed beef cutout values are sharply higher in the morning report. Choice is up 1.80 at 226.90, and select is 2.02 higher at 202.55.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Hub City Livestock Auction at Aberdeen, SD totaled 4371 head on Wednesday. Compared to last week, steers under 900 pounds were not well compared, 901 to 1150 pounds were steady to 2.00 higher. The best test was on heifers weighing 750 to 800 pounds steady to 1.00 higher. There was very good demand for all cattle in Wednesday’s large offering, with excellent demand seen for two strings of home raised steers and heifers which qualified for drug free programs. Feeder steers medium and large 1 value added weighing 748 pounds traded at 168.90 per hundredweight. 730 pound heifers brought 148.50.

The Ozarks Regional Stockyards at Wes Plains, Missouri had a cow and bull auction on Wednesday. Slaughter bulls, yield grade 1-2 weighing 1020 to 2235 pounds average dressing brought 97.00 to 101.00 per hundredwe3ight. Stocker and feeder cows, medium and large 1-2, open or unchecked cows and heiferettes, 18 to 24 months old weighing 655 to 1055 pound heifers brought 115.00 to 142.50 per hundredweight.

Receipts at the Kalona. Iowa sheep auction totaled 586 head on Wednesday. Compared to last week, slaughter lambs were mostly steady, with the bulk of the offerings under 90 pounds. Feeder lambs were steady. The trade was active with good demand. Slaughter lambs wooled choice and prime 2-3 averaging 68 pounds brought 188.74 per hundredweight. Feeder lambs medium and large 1 weighing 89 pounds traded at 175.00 per hundredweight.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade are .12 lower at 78.58 weighted average on a carcass basis, the West is .05 lower also at 78.58, and nationally the hog market is down 1.13 at 76.83. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady from 66.00 to 69.00. Midwest hogs on a live basis are steady from 46.00 to 60.00.

The pork carcass cutout value is down .91 at 148.19 FOB plant. All cuts are lower except the belly primal and it is up $3.83.

For the week ending June 4, Iowa barrows and gilts averaged 283.1 pounds, .9 pounds heavier than the previous week, and 1 pound more than last year.