Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair or head as indicated.

NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

Oklahoma City-Des Moines

Feb. 8

Compared to Feb. 1: Slaughter cattle sold steady on a live basis. Dressed sales in Nebraska were not available at time of report. Packer demand light. Boxed beef prices Feb. 8 noon averaged $182.41 up $.65 from Feb. 1. The Choice/Select spread is at 2.38. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through Feb. 8 noon totaled about 2000 head. Last week’s total head count was 98,954.

South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 35-65 percent Choice, 1100-1400 lbs. $125.00.

Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls unevenly steady to $3.00 higher.

USDA’s Cutter cow carcass cut-out value Feb. 8 was $165.96 up $.43 from Feb. 1.

NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE

(Federal-State Market News)

St. Joseph, Mo.

Feb. 8

This week Last week Last year

309,800 322,100 287,600

Compared to Feb. 1 feeder cattle immediately bound for feedlots sold weak to $3 lower with the full decline on weights over 800 lbs. Middleweight calves and feeders weighing 500-700 lbs. with an average to fleshy condition that forces them into some kind of confined feeding facility sold largely steady. Meanwhile, stocker cattle and all calves weighing under 500 lbs. traded firm to $5 higher especially throughout the Southeastern calf markets where orders are starting to pour in from the West as unseasonably warm temperatures and spots of moisture in drought areas have grass grazers thinking spring. The previous week’s cash feeder market rally did not carry into this week as cattle feeders are simply punch drunk from continued losses on their finished cattle closeouts.

It’s not the cattle’s fault, performance has been outstanding for two years now and weight-gains are well above the historical averages but feedcosts have eliminated the chance for profits. Most industry members assumed that by now the fed cattle market would have broken through the $130 record-high resistance level and tighter supplies would have created a seller’s market. Not even close, this week’s direct fed cattle trade was steady to $1 lower at $125 on light demand and movement with a chain speed of less than 600,000 this week which is very unusual other than in instances of holidays or plant breakdowns.

This was the first full week of darkness at Cargill Plainview, yet boxed beef cutout values struggled again this week and continue to hover near $180. Despite the bearish tone of the fed cattle and beef markets, backgrounders remain bullish with the bulk of the southern tier of the United States now quoting steers and bulls under 450 lbs. up to $2 per lb. and beyond.

The availability of the lightweight calves was more plentiful this week with heavy offerings of froze-out calves showing up in town as owners are short of hay and attempting to prepare their cows for calving. Many of the industry officials were in Tampa, Fla., for the annual NCBA Convention. It is likely that feedcosts, hay supplies, drought, diminishing cattle numbers, and mounting feedlot losses were main topics of conversation. The week’s reported auction volume included 60 percent over 600 lbs. and 42 percent heifers.

AUCTIONS

This week Last week Last year

238,600 207,600 226,400

WASHINGTON 1,800. 71 pct heifers. 46 pt heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 500-550 lbs. $159.65; Pkg 637 lbs. $148; 650-700 lbs. $140.20; 700-750 lbs. $131.33; 750-800 lbs. $133.39; 800-850 lbs. $126.94; 850-700 lbs. $127.12. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 400-450 lbs. $140; 550-600 lbs. $145.75; 600-650 lbs. $136.55; 650-700 lbs. $131.03; 700-750 lbs. $121.33; 750-800 lbs. $126.

DIRECT

This week Last week Last year

62,700 80,100 48,900

SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 4,800. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Holsteins: Large 3 275 lbs. $165 June Delivered.

NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 5,400. 84 pct over 600 lbs. 38 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 750-800 lbs. $135-142 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $134.50-137 Oregon-Washington. Future Delivery FOB Price 900 lbs. $141-142 early for June-July Oregon. Future Delivery Delivered Price 900 lbs. $144-149 for June-July Oregon-Idaho. Holsteins: Large 2-3 Current FOB Price 300 lbs. $112-115 Washington. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 800-850 lbs. $130-134 Oregon-Washington. Future Delivery FOB Price 800-900 lbs. $136-137 early for June-July Oregon. Future Delivery Delivered Price 800-900 lbs. $139-145 for June-July Oregon-Idaho.

NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE

(USDA Market News)

Moses Lake, Wash.

Feb. 8

This week Last week Last year

5,400 1,300 2,800

Compared to Feb. 1, feeder cattle weak. Trade moderate with good demand as producers were willing sellers. The feeder supply included 62 percent steers and 38 percent heifers. Near 84 percent of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or equivalent and with a 5-10 cent slide on calves and a 3-6 cent slide on yearlings.

Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 750-800 lbs. $135-142 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $134.50-137 Oregon-Washington. Future Delivery FOB Price: 900 lbs. $141-142 early for June-July Oregon. Future Delivery Delivered Price: 900 lbs. $144-149 for June-July Oregon-Idaho.

Holstein Steers: Large 2-3: Current FOB Price: 300 lbs. $112-115 Washington.

Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 800-850 lbs. $130-134 Oregon-Washington. Future Delivery FOB Price: 800-900 lbs. $136-137 early for June-July Oregon. Future Delivery Delivered Price: 800-900 lbs. $139-145 for June-July Oregon-Idaho.