Market News

Midday cash livestock markets

Direct cash cattle trade has developed in parts of the South with live sales about $1.00 lower than last week.  Interest in the North so far hasn’t been consistent.  Some asking prices have been noted around $119 to $120 in the South and $190 in the North.  Bids have been reported at $117 to $118 live and $186 dressed.

Boxed beef is higher at the midday on moderate box movement.  Choice is up $1.63 at $207.81 and Select is up $.73 at $188.78.  The Choice/Select spread increased to $19.03.

At the Oklahoma National Stockyards, feeder steers are $2.00 to $7.00 lower and feeder heifers are selling with a lower undertone.  Lightweight steer calves are $8.00 to $12.00 higher and calves over 450 pounds are steady to $7.00 lower.  Heifer calves under 450 pounds are $1.00 to $2.00 lower and heifer calves over 450 pounds are $9.00 to $13.00 lower.  Receipts are 7.170 head down from the previous week and up on the year.  The USDA says demand was moderate to good and the quality is average to attractive.  Feeder cattle supply included 57 percent steers and 50 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Feeder steers, Medium and Large 1’s 542 to 595 pounds were $173.00 to $181.00 and Medium and Large 1’s 609 to 648 pounds $157.00 to $164.00.  Feeder heifers, Medium and Large 1’s 503 to 544 pounds were $142.00 to $152.00 and Medium and Large 1’s 605 to 639 pounds were $140.00 to $149.50.

Cash hogs opened weak to firm. The trade continues to watch the availability of market-ready numbers.  This week’s shortened slaughter scheduled could help support wholesale prices.  However, that could lead to increased slaughter totals next week – adding pressure to prices.

The Western Corn Belt is $.07 higher at the midday with a range of $51.00 to $57.00 with an average of $56.44; the Iowa/Southern Minnesota and the Eastern Corn Belt were not reported due to confidentiality; the National Daily Direct is $.29 lower with a range of $51.00 to $57.00 and an average of $56.17.

Butcher hogs at the Midwest cash markets are steady at $35.00 to $36.00.

At the Interior Missouri Direct, barrows and gilts are $1.00 to $2.00 lower at $50.00 to $51.00 on light to moderate supply and demand.  Sows are steady to $4.00 lower at $30.00 to $40.00.

At Illinois, slaughter sow prices were weak at $35.00 to $46.00 with moderate demand for moderate to heavy offerings.  Barrows and gilts are weak at $35.00 to $44.00 with moderate demand for moderate offerings.

Pork value is weak at the midday – down $.59 at $81.68.  The primals are mostly lower.  However, there are strong gains in the belly and the picnic, but sharp declines in the loin, butt, and the ham.