National Ag News

Direct cash cattle trade activity has improved.  There’s been reports of business in Nebraska at $200 dressed.  Live bids are still at $124.  Asking prices are holding firm at $126 live and $204 dressed. Look for business to continue to develop throughout the balance of the week.  Today’s Fed Cattle Exchange had an offering of 837 head, with 479 head sold for a weighted average price of $122.15 for 1 to 9-day delivery.    

Boxed beef is mixed at midday on moderate demand for heavy offerings.  Choice is $.58 lower at $231.26 and Select is
$.45 higher at $218.66.  The
Choice/Select spread is $12.60. 

At the Kingsville Livestock Auction in Missouri – receipts are
almost even on the week.  Compared to the
most recent sale steers and heifers traded steady to $7 lower on limited
comparable sales, and most of the loss was on steers over 500 pounds.  Mostly smaller groups of new-crop calves were
offered in moderate to moderate plus flesh. 
Demand was moderate to good in spots, but light to moderate for
un-weaned calves.  The supply was light
to moderate.  Feeder supply included 47
percent steers and 32 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 458 to 488
pounds brought $180.50 to $189.50 and feeder steers 551 to 576 pounds brought
$170 to $180.  Medium and Large 1 feeder
steers 506 to 530 pounds brought $150 to $162 and feeder steers 679 to 680
pounds brought $143.50 to $147.35. 

Cash hogs opened lower with light to moderate negotiated purchase
totals.  The supply of market-ready hogs
is ample, and packers aren’t having to bid up to move their desired numbers
today.  The market continues its back and
forth.  Today the supply concerns and the
worry that the increase demand potential for US pork in China won’t materialize
drug prices lower.  Hog weights this week
were even on the week at 286.1 pounds and up .6 pounds on the year on lighter
receipts. 

Barrows and gilts at the Iowa/Southern Minnesota were $1.96
lower with a range of $73 to $83 for a weighted average of $79.85; the Western
Corn Belt is $2.60 lower with a range of $71 to $83 for a weighted average of
$78.92; the Eastern Corn Belt was not reported due to confidentiality; and the
National Daily Direct opened $1.83 lower with a range of $72 to $83 for an
average of $78.62. 

Butcher hog prices at the Midwest cash markets are steady at
$60. 

At Illinois, slaughter sow prices were $1 to $3 higher at $52
to $69 with very good demand for moderate to heavy offerings.  Receipts were up on the week and the
year.  Barrow and gilt prices were firm at
$53 to $58 with moderate demand for moderate offerings. 

Pork values opened firm – up $.47
at $82.69.  Ribs jumped $6.31 this
morning.  Ribs and butts are higher.  Loins are firm.  Hams and bellies are weak to lower. 

Continue reading Midday cash livestock markets at Brownfield Ag News.