Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

A few deals on the cattle are being reported by DTN in Nebraska at 170.00 on a dressed basis, 5.00 lower than last week’s weighted average. The remainder of cattle country is continuing to wait on the sidelines. Asking prices are around 112.00 to 114.00 in the South and 175.00 plus in the North. Private sources report live bids from 107.00 to 110.00.

Boxed beef cutout values are firm to higher in the morning report. Choice beef is up .91 at 189.85, and select is .02 higher at 171.74.

Cattle receipts at the Fairview Sale Barn, Fairview, Illinois totaled 879 head on Wednesday. Compared to last week slaughter steers and heifers sold 1.00 to 2.00 higher. Slaughter cows were unevenly steady. Slaughter bulls traded steady. The market was active with good demand. Slaughter steers traded from 94.00 to 108.00 per hundredweight. Slaughter heifers’ brought 98.50 to 108.50.

The Huss Platte Valley Auction in Nebraska had receipts of 4455 feeder cattle. Compared to last week, steers sold unevenly and heifers were 3.00 to 6.00 higher. Demand was good from start to finish with the sale getting a tick stronger at the close. Most were longtime weaned with a few bawling calves in the mix. It was bitter cold in the trade area on Wednesday. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 786 pounds brought 138.09 per hundredweight. 734 pound heifers averaged 129.55.

Kalona, Iowa sheep and goat Auction had receipts of 350 sheep and 267 goats on Wednesday. Compared to the previous week, slaughter lambs were mostly steady with some weakness in lambs under 60 pounds. There were no feeder lambs for a true test. Trade was active with good demand. Slaughter lambs wooled choice and prime 2-3 weighing 102 pounds averaged 145.63 per hundredweight. The goat trade was very active with very good demand. Slaughter kids selection 1 weighing 65 pounds brought 107.40 per head.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade are .44 higher, the West is up .54 with both at 52.47 weighted average on a carcass basis. Nationally the hog market is .33 higher at 51.95. Midwest hogs on a live basis ae steady to 2.00 higher in a light test from 25.00 to 30.00.

The pork carcass cutout value is down .36 at 74.77 FOB plant.

For the week ending December 3, Iowa barrows and gilts averaged 281.2 pounds, .7 pounds heavier than the previous week, though still 3.2 pounds less than 2015.