Market News

Friday midday cash livestock prices

USDA Mandatory is reporting a light cattle trade in Kansas on light to moderate demand. Compared to last week, live sales are 2.00 lower at 168.00. Trading is mostly inactive in all other areas. There are a few bids in the North on a live basis from 263.00 to 265.00. Asking prices remain around 170.00 to 172.00 in the South and 270.00 plus in the North.

Boxed beef cutout values are lower in the morning report with choice down 1.58 at 251.77, select is .23 lower 239.17.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Mitchell Livestock Auction at Mitchell, SD totaled 3250 head on Thursday. Steer calves were mostly steady with instances of 5.00 higher, yearlings had steady to firm undertones on a few comparable sales. Heifers from 3.00 lower to 4.00 higher with the advance on weights over 500 pounds. Good to very good demand for calves and yearlings. Feeder steer calves medium and large 1 averaging 614 pounds traded at 271.45 per hundredweight. 777 pound heifers brought 230.49.

Barrows and gilts in all direct trade areas are not reported due to confidentiality. Missouri direct base carcass meat prince is steady from 78.00 to 80.00. Barrows and gilts at Midwest markets are lightly tested with most interests out of the market on Friday. A few steady from 56.00 to 74.00 live.

The pork carcass cutout value is down .91 at 96.93 FOB plant. Bellies and picnics are higher, but all other cuts are lower.

With the pork cut-out stumbling lower again, suggestions of a seasonal bottom seem quite tenuous at this point. While processors margins have improved this week, they remain seasonally disappointing.