Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

An active cattle trade took place on Friday in all areas with dressed deals in Nebraska at mostly 164.00, $4.00 to 10.00 higher. Live business in the South was mostly 105.00, generally $5.00 higher in Kansas, and 7.00 higher in Texas. The main item of business today is the collection of the new showlists.

Boxed beef cutout values are sharply higher on the select 173.18, up 3.02, choice 184.33, up 1.22.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Joplin, Missouri Regional Stockyards today totaled 4,000 head. Steer calves under 550 pounds are 4.00 to 6.00 higher, over 550 and heifer calves steady. Yearlings are not well tested early. The demand is moderate to good on a moderate supply. Feeder steers medium and large 1 weighing 600 to 650 pounds 121.00 to 124.00 per hundredweight. 600 to 650 pound heifers at 110.00.

A large run of feeder cattle on Friday at the Ft. Pierre Livestock Auction at Ft. Pierre, SD, 9706 head. Compared to the previous week, steer calves under 600 pounds were 2.00 to 3.00 higher except those light steers under 400 pounds 6.00 to 8.00 higher, over 600 pounds steady to 2.00 higher. Heifer calves steady to 2.00 higher except those under 450 pounds 6.00 to 8.00 higher. Yearlings were not well tested the previous week for a comparison. Good to very good demand on the large offering of calves. Feeder steer calves medium and large 1 averaging 618 pounds brought 131.11 per hundredweight. Heifer calves weighing 666 brought 115.82.

In Iowa last week the supply of hay continued to be limited as producers wrap up fall field work. Premium quality hay in large squares found ready buyers in dairymen who were willing to pay. Hay fields appear to be getting a good start for next year as Iowa’s fall weather has been both warm and dry. Premium small squares of alfalfa brought 185.00 to 295.00 per ton. Premium large squares of alfalfa/grass hay from 185.00 to 295.00 per ton. Large squares of grass 100.00 to 105.00. Small squares of oat straw 180.00 per ton.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota and Western direct trade areas are not reported due to confidentiality. Nationally the market is down .96 at 43.64 weighted average on a carcass basis. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady to 1.00 lower at 38.00. Midwest hogs on a live basis are steady to lower from 22.00 to 28.00.

The pork carcass cutout value is 1.08 higher at 73.97 FOB plant. Ribs and hams are significantly higher.

The only reason total hog slaughter fell off last week to 2.401,000, 113,000 head less than the previous week was because Smithfield’s large Tar Heel plant shutdown for several days. The plant had lagoon problems caused by Hurricane Matthew. Look for production to roar back with a vengeance this week.