Market News

Thursday midday cash livestock markets

Cattle country is quiet following yesterday’s moderate to active trade. Cattle on a live basis in Kansas and Texas traded at 150.00, $4.00 higher than last week. Nebraska and Iowa reported live sales, mostly 4.00 higher from 151.00 to 152.00. Dressed sales in the North were 7.00 to 10.00 higher at 240.00. Trading was moderate on good demand. It is possible we may see a little more trade today. Asking prices on cattle left on the lists are around 151.00 to 153.00 live, and 242.00 plus dressed.

Boxed beef cutout values are higher with the choice up 1.35 at 220.30, and select is 1.66 higher at 218.33.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Hub City Livestock Auction at Aberdeen, South Dakota totaled 5219 head on Wednesday. 5 to 650 weight steers were 1.00 to 3.00 lower, 651 to 950 pounds mostly steady except for 7 to 8 weights 2.00 to 5.00 higher. Heifers were steady to 5.00 higher. There were many small packages and loads which sold with good demand. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 733 pounds brought 182.17 per hundredweight. 732 pound heifers traded at 166.42.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade are 1.79 lower with a weighted average of 95.06 on a carcass basis, the West is down 1.85 at 95.06, and Eastern markets are up 3.35 at 95.41. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady from 88.00 to 89.00. Terminal hogs are steady to 1.00 higher on a live basis from 61.00 to 65.00.

The pork carcass cutout value is significantly higher in the midday report, up $2.34 at 102.94 FOB plant.

Iowa barrows and gilts last week averaged 282.2 pounds, 1 pound heavier than the previous week and 6 pounds greater than the 2013 scale.

Seasonally, market hog numbers typically grow through March and April as the larger fall pig crop begins to move off finishing floors.