16 CapitalPress.com
May 1, 2015
Foundation promotes ag advocates online
Bloggers connect
with non-farm
audiences
Online
AgChat Foundation: http://
agchat.org
It’s MomSense: http://www.
itsmomsense.com
By MATTHEW WEAVER
The Pinke Post: http://
Capital Press
thepinkepost.com/
AIRWAY
HEIGHTS,
Wash. — Aspiring agricultur-
al bloggers got a crash course
in writing for an audience that
doesn’t know much about
farming — but often thinks it
does.
“I have a good friend
who thinks everything about
‘Big Ag’ is terrible, farmers
are doing it wrong, and he
knows how to fix it — he
can’t even weed his yard,”
said Sara Duncan, a stay-at-
home mom who writes the
It’s MomSense blog. “I think
that’s a really common feel-
ing among consumers, but
it’s not their fault. Whose
job is it to educate the con-
sumer about where their
food comes from? I think it’s
Matthew Weaver/Capital Press
The Pinke Post blogger Katie Pinke delivers the opening keynote
address to the AgChat Foundation Pacific Northwest conference
April 27 in Airway Heights, Wash.
our job.”
Duncan spoke during a
panel discussion at the Ag-
Chat Foundation’s Pacific
Northwest Agvocacy confer-
ence about using blogs and
such social media sites as
Twitter or Facebook.
Most consumers are sev-
en generations removed
from the farm, Duncan said.
“Assume they know
nothing,” she said. “I’m a
very facts-based person, but
facts don’t convince people.
Emotions convince people,
values convince people. You
have to connect with them. I
use the fact that I’m a mom
to connect with other par-
ents: ‘I also want my kids
to grow up in a safe, healthy
environment. We care about
the same things, we’re not
that different, you and me.
We just have different ideas
on how to get there.’”
Keynote speaker and
North Dakota farmer Katie
Pinke uses her Pinke Post
blog to talk about life on her
farm and in a small town and
important political topics. As
a result, Pinke and members
of her family have found
themselves trusted sources
for information.
Efforts to make a change
globally have to begin lo-
cally, and farmers can build
trust by getting involved be-
yond their agriculture circle,
Pinke said.
“We don’t need to be
defensive, we already have
enough of that,” she said.
“You can’t just be one voice
in a silo, you have to have a
community.”
Duncan
recommended
having a thick skin.
“The biggest mistake I
see is aggression and people
being really angry, creating
conflict and picking a fight
— that’s not productive,” she
said. “You’re never going to
talk anybody into something
when you’re mean.”
The panelists and audience
members discussed sharing
potentially hot-button, easily
misunderstood images like
cattle castration or branding
with an audience that’s never
been exposed to the daily op-
erations on a farm or portrays
agriculture as cruel. Duncan
said context is critical.
“Don’t be afraid to tell
(consumers) the truth — a lot
of people want to know more,
they don’t want you to say, ‘I
don’t want you in the chick-
en house,’” she said. “Let
them in, but make sure they
know what they’re seeing.
Consumers ask for things, but
they don’t know what they’re
asking for. If you’re going
to show that stuff, do it, but
couch it right.”
Audience member and
Eastern Washington dairy
farm blogger Krista Stauffer
recommended putting the
farmer’s name, logo and de-
tailed information on photos,
so they can’t be used by agri-
culture opponents in mislead-
ing ways.
GMO labels constitutional, federal judge says
Ruling rejects
arguments by food
manufacturers
By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI
Capital Press
Proponents of mandato-
ry labeling for genetically
modified organisms believe
they’ve landed a heavy blow
for the legality of such laws
with a favorable court deci-
sion in Vermont.
A federal judge has reject-
ed several legal arguments
by food manufacturers who
claimed the state’s GMO la-
beling statute violated the
U.S. Constitution.
While the ruling may be
appealed, it marks the first
time that a GMO labeling law
has withstood constitutional
scrutiny in federal court, said
George Kimbrell, attorney for
the Center for Food Safety,
which supports the statute.
“This is a critical first step
in securing the public’s right
to know, not just for Vermont
but for all Americans,” he
said.
Several other states are
expected to vote on GMO
labeling in 2016, so the Ver-
mont decision affirms they
can legally require such dis-
closures, Kimbrell said.
“There is no legal reason
why states can’t require the
labeling of genetically engi-
neered food,” he said.
When Vermont passed its
GMO labeling law in 2014,
the Grocery Manufacturers
Association and other groups
filed a complaint alleging the
statute unconstitutionally vi-
olates their free speech rights
and interferes with interstate
commerce.
Chief U.S. District Judge
Christina Reiss has dismissed
the plaintiffs’ interstate com-
merce claims and a portion
of their First Amendment
claims. She also indicated
they probably won’t fare bet-
ter with the remainder of their
freedom of speech arguments.
The plaintiffs argued
GMO labeling will burden
interstate commerce because
they will have to create Ver-
mont-specific packaging and
distribution channels.
Even if the statute does
create such a problem for
manufacturers, it doesn’t rise
to the level of being unconsti-
tutional, she ruled.
The law doesn’t impose
greater burdens on compa-
nies outside Vermont than
those within the state, doesn’t
require GMO labeling na-
tionwide and doesn’t conflict
with laws in other states, she
said.
Reiss said the controversy
over GMOs does not “con-
vert a disclosure requirement
about a food product into a
political statement,” and thus
doesn’t represent unconstitu-
tionally compelled political
speech.
Farm Market Report
California Egg Reports
Hay Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Des Moines
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • St. Joseph, Mo.-Portland
Hay prices are dollars per ton or dollars per bale when sold to re-
tail outlets. Basis is current delivery FOB barn or stack, or delivered
customer as indicated.
Grade guidelines used in this report have the following relation-
ship to Relative Feed Value (RFV), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF),
TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients), or Crude Protein (CP) test num-
bers:
Grade
RFV
ADF
TDN
CP
Supreme 185+
<27
55.9+
22+
Premium 170-185
27-29
54.5-55.9
20-22
Good
150-170
29-32
52.5-54.5
18-20
Fair
130-150
32-35
50.5-52.5
16-18
Utility
<130
36+
<50.5
<16
WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY
(Columbia Basin)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 24
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
930
1,200
1,330
Compared to April 17: All grades of Alfalfa steady in a light
test. Trade very slow for domestic and export markets. Light
new crop harvest was noted this week in the south basin region.
Demand light to moderate. Retail/Feedstore steady. Demand
remains good.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Large Square
Premium
200
$210
Alfalfa Mid Square
Fair/Good 500
$160
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
60
$260
170
$250
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
April 24
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
1,567
1,285
1,989
Compared to April 17: Prices trended generally steady com-
pared to the same quality last week. Trade activity and demand
picked up slightly this week. The continued good weather in
several areas of Oregon has slowed down demand, as pasture
grasses are growing causing end users to be able to turn ani-
mals out on pasture rather than purchase and feed additional
hay. Export hay business seems to slowly be picking up, how-
ever, continued issues with few containers available and back-
up of containers needing to be loaded at the shipping ports
continues to slow down the ability to export hay overseas. Most
producers have sold all that they plan to sell for this season.
Tons Price
CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES
Fair
700
$160-175
Alfalfa Large Square
Small Square
Supreme
2
$275
Premium
Orchard Grass Small Square
Grass Mix-Five Way Small
Square
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Small Square
Premium
2
20
46
$250
$250-260
$260-270
Premium
40
$275-290
Supreme
Prem./Sup.
Good
Prem./Sup.
Premium 30
Premium
67
35
499
30
$250
$240
$170
$240
$220
$150
Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square
60
Forage Mix-Three Way
Large Square
Good
36
$150
EASTERN OREGON: No new sales confirmed.
HARNEY COUNTY: No new sales confirmed.
KLAMATH BASIN: No new sales confirmed.
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 24
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
2,400
2,400
2,200
Compared to April 17: All grades of Alfalfa weak in a light
test. Trade remains slow. Demand light to moderate. Most ar-
eas of the trade area are reporting drier than normal conditions
and an oversupply of unsold feeder hay.
Some exporters are turning previously bought supplies back
to producers. Heavy mice infestations this year are reportedly
ruining range and hay fields. Retail/feed store/horse not tested
this week.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Large Square
Premium
500
$165
Utility/Fair 400
$120-130
1500 $80-120
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 24
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
18,115
13,088
19,022
Compared to April 17: All classes traded active on good de-
mand. Milk prices remained in the mid-teens, which affected
the demand from dairies for test hay. According to U.S. Drought
Monitor, In northeastern California, exceptional drought (D4) was
expanded across the northern Sierras this week, while in northern
Modoc County, a one-category improvement (from D4 to D3) was
rendered to the depiction to more accurately reflect local condi-
tions. Alfalfa export hay in region 6 is $6 lower this week and pre-
mium Alfalfa is steady. Prices reported FOB at the stack or barn
unless otherwise noted.
REGION 1: North Intermountain
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and
Plumas.
No new sales confirmed.
REGION 2: Sacramento Valley
Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter,
Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Premium
50
$220
Good/Prem. 100
$220-250
Rice Straw
Good
150
$100
REGION 3: Northern San Joaquin Valley
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Supreme
300
$255
Premium
180
$255
200
$260
300
$250
Good/Prem. 300
$235
150
$265
Oat
Premium
100
$180
Triticale
Good
350 $135
Forage Mix-Two Way
Premium
100
$280
REGION 4: Central San Joaquin Valley
Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Supreme
400
$250
225
$180
65
$250
Premium
360
$225-240
Good
140
$205
REGION 5: Southern California
Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West-
ern San Bernardino.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Supreme
375
$263
Premium
175
$250
Good
175
$215
REGION 6: Southeast California
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Prem./Sup. 1150 $222-230
800
$220
Premium
4300 $210-220
3750 $222-223
75
$235
3070 $200-232
Good/Prem. 100
$220
Bermuda Grass
Premium 300 $150
75
$205
Klein Grass
Premium
300
$147
Livestock Auctions
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight
(cwt.) except some replacement animals per
pair or head as indicated.
California
SHASTA
(Shasta Livestock Auction)
Cottonwood, Calif.
April 24
Current week Last week
1,234
1,404
Compared to March 13: Slaughter cows and
bulls steady with multiple new buyers. Feeder
cattle steady with good demand on bigger cat-
tle. A bit softer on lighter cattle.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $100-112, $113-
117 high dress; Boning $93-99; Cutters $90-92.
Bulls 1 and 2: $112-129; $130-141 high
dress.
Feeder steers: 400-450 lbs. $280-305; 450-
500 lbs. $240-270; 500-550 lbs. $225-268;
550-600 lbs. $220-257; 600-650 lbs. $205-237;
650-700 lbs. $200-235; 700-750 lbs. $195-223;
750-800 lbs. $185-206; 800-900 lbs. $180-
203.50.
Feeder heifers: 400-450 lbs. $240-300; 450-
500 lbs. $220-247; 500-550 lbs. $210-245;
550-600 lbs. $204-227; 600-650 lbs. $190-220;
650-700 lbs. $185-210; 700-750 lbs. $178-204.
Pairs: No market test.
Calvy cows: No market test
Idaho
CALDWELL
(Treasure Valley Livestock)
April 24
Steers: 300-400 lbs. $167.50; 400-500 lbs.
$217.17; 500-600 lbs. $211.75; 600-700 lbs.
$178.25; 700-800 lbs. $184.75; 800-900 lbs.
$168.75; 900-1000 lbs. $164.50; 1000 lbs. and
up $122.25.
Heifers: 300-400 lbs. $250.50; 400-500 lbs.
$210.25; 500-600 lbs. $205; 600-700 lbs.
$189.75; 700-800 lbs. $171; 800-900 lbs.
$157.50; 900-1000 lbs. $140.50; 1000 lbs. and
up $128.75.
Cows (wt.): 800-900 lbs. $91.50; 900-1000
lbs. $104.50; 1000-1100 lbs. $96.25; 1100-
1200 lbs. $100.25; 1200-1300 lbs. $104.25;
1300-1400 lbs. $105.50; 1400-1500 lbs.
$100.25; 1500-1600 lbs. $101.75; 1600-1700
lbs. $103.75; 1700-1800 lbs. $106.75.
Bull calves (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $182.50; 400-
500 lbs. $200; 500-600 lbs. $171.75; 600-700
lbs. $216.25; 700-800 lbs. $173; 800-900 lbs.
$124; 1000-1100 lbs. $117; 1100-1200 lbs.
$128.50; 1200-1300 lbs. $117; 1300-1400 lbs.
$132.50; 1400-1500 lbs. $119.50.
Bulls (wt.): 2100-2200 lbs. $133.
Pairs (hd.): 1000 lbs. and up $1625.
Bred heifers (hd.): 800 lbs. and up $1675.
Stock cows (hd.): 800 lbs. and up $1250.
Bull calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $475; 200-300
lbs. $400; 300-400 lbs. $950.
Heifer calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $480; 200-
300 lbs. $575; 300-400 lbs. $400.
Steer calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $600; 200-
300 lbs. $560; 300-400 lbs. $440; 400-500 lbs.
$775.
Washington
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 24
This week
Last week
Last year
2,020
1,850
1,500
Compared to April 17 at the same market:
Stocker and feeder cattle $6-10 higher. Trade
active with very good demand especially from
locals looking for small lots of stocker cattle
to fill pastures. Slaughter cows $4-5 higher.
Slaughter bulls $9-10 higher. Trade active with
very good demand. Slaughter cows 60 percent,
Slaughter bulls 5 percent, and feeders 35 per-
cent of the supply. The feeder supply included
54 percent steers and 46 percent heifers. Near
78 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2:
400-500 lbs. $307.50; 500-600 lbs. $250-258;
500-600 lbs. $278, Value Added; 600-700 lbs.
$240-250; 600-700 lbs. $ 220, Full; 600-700
lbs. $260, Value Added; 700-800 lbs. $205-
213; 700-800 lbs. $190-202, Full; 700-800 lbs.
$220, Thin Fleshed; 700-800 lbs. $ 230, Value
Added; 800-900 lbs. $190. Medium and Large
2-3: 600-700 lbs. $ 216. Large 1-2: 900-1000
lbs. $183; 1000-1100 lbs. $160. Small and
Medium 1-2: 400-500 lbs. $287.50. Small and
Medium 4: 600-700 lbs. $190.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2:
400-500 lbs. $246; 500-600 lbs. $240-250;
500-600 lbs. $232, Full; 500-600 lbs. $252,
Thin Fleshed; 600-700 lbs. $ 219-227; 600-700
lbs. $205, Full; 700-800 lbs. $210; 700-800
lbs. $184, Full; 800-900 lbs. $180. Medium
and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $200. Large 1-2:
1100-1200 lbs. $140. Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs.
$185-187.50; 1000-1100 lbs. $ 154. Small and
Medium 4: 300-400 lbs. $210.
Slaughter Cows: Boning 80-85 percent lean
1200-1900 lbs. $ 106-112; Boning 80-85 per-
cent lean 1200-1500 lbs. $117-123; Lean 85-
90 percent lean 1300-1600 lbs. $105-111; Lean
Light 90 percent lean 900-1250 lbs. $95-105.
Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1100-2600
lbs. $135-144.
Bred Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 1026
lbs. 3-6 mos. $2025.
Bred Cows (Per Head): Medium and Large
1-2: Young to Mid-Aged (3-8 yrs. old) 1100-
1400 lbs. 3-9 mos. bred $1775-2200.
Cow/Calf Pairs (Per Pair): Medium and Large
1-2: Young (3-5 yrs. old) 1300-1400 lbs. $2300-
2575 with 100-200 lbs. calves; Broken Mouth
1100 lbs. $2100 with 100-150 lbs. calves.
Small 4: Young 700 lbs. $1225 with 200-250
lbs. Calves.
Oregon
MADRAS
(Central Oregon Livestock Auction)
April 24
Baby calves $350-600.
Steers: 200-300 lbs. $285-295; 300-400 lbs.
$295-306; 400-500 lbs. $260-275; 500-600 lbs.
$225-265; 600-700 lbs. $231-245; 700-800 lbs.
$205-220; 800-900 lbs. $200-235.
Bulls: High yield. $110-129; thinner $95-101.
Pairs: Full-mouth vacc $2200-2650; bro-
ken-mouth vacc $1800-2200.
Heifers: 200-300 lbs. $250-280; 300-400 lbs.
$280-290; 400-500 lbs. $240-255; 500-600 lbs.
$225-250; 600-700 lbs. $219-223; 700-800 lbs.
$185-196.
Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $175-180.
Cows: Heiferettes $150; Feeder cows $95;
high-yield $115; medium-yield $85; low-yield
$80.
VALE
(Producers Livestock Market)
April 22
Total receipts: 681 head.
Comments: Fair to steady market on the grass
cattle on the better quality offered; lower quality
grass and yearling cattle cheapter.
Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $262-308; 400-500
lbs. $277-305; 500-600 lbs. $253-278.
Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $247-263; 400-500
lbs. $233-257; 500-600 lbs. $214-249.
Yearling steers : 600-700 lbs. $224-253; 700-
800 lbs. $194-212
Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $204-231; 800-
900 lbs. $184-212; 900-1000 lbs. $166-181;
900-1000 lbs. $154-169.
Stock cows (young): $1275-1900; Stock cows
(B.M.): NA.
Butcher cows: $95-107.
Thin shelly cows: $82-93.
Younger heiferettes: $114-146.
Butcher bulls: $104-123.
Shell egg marketer’s benchmark price for negotiated egg sales of USDA Grade AA and Grade AA in
cartons, cents per dozen. This price does not reflect discounts or other contract terms.
DAILY CALIFORNIA SHELL EGGS
(USDA Market News)
Des Moines, Iowa
April 24
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 2 cents higher for Jumbo, Extra Large,
and Large with Medium and Small prices steady. The undertone is steady. Offerings are light to usually
moderate on moderate to fairly good demand. Supplies are light to moderate. Market activity is moderate
to active. Small benchmark price $1.35.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
219
Extra large
193
Large
186
Medium
155
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Prices to retailers, sales to volume buyers, USDA Grade AA and Grade AA, white eggs in cartons,
delivered store door.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
211-223
Extra large
174-186
Large
171-180
Medium
135-144
Cattle Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des
Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash.
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
April 24
Compared to April 17: In the Southern Plains,
live sales have sold $2-5 lower in the Texas Pan-
handle and $2-4 lower in Kansas. Few dressed
sales reported in Nebraska steady to $3 lower.
Boxed beef prices April 24 averaged $252.31,
which is $2.07 lower than April 17. The Choice/Se-
lect spread is $9.37. Slaughter cattle on a national
basis for negotiated cash trades through Friday
afternoon totaled about 48,325 head. Last week’s
total head count was 69,979 head.
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis, Steers and
Heifers 35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400 lbs.
$159-160; Dressed Basis, Steers and Heifers
$253-260.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls steady to $1
higher.
USDA’s Cutter cow carcass cut-out value Friday
afternoon was $234.28 up $.51 from April 17.
NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
St. Joseph, Mo.
April 24
This week
Last week
Last year
211,600
307,600
264,100
Compared to April 17: Yearling feeder cattle sold
mostly $5-8 lower with instances $10 lower with
the most declines on those weighing over 800 lbs.
Steer and heifer calves traded unevenly steady to
mostly $5 lower, with unweaned and fleshy calves
trading $10-15 lower. In the Southeast calves sold
mostly $2-5 lower with instances $10 lower.
Prices have leveled off the last couple of weeks
with the fed cattle market struggling to hold its
ground and most of the more-aggressive stocker
orders having been filled.
Farmer-feeders have now fully moved into plant-
ing season mode and most will have little interest in
the cattle market until they put their planters away.
Good margins do not exist for either the packer
or the cattle feeder at this time.
April 17, live cattle and feeder cattle futures fell
out of bed with aggressive selling pressure with
live cattle futures down the limit, and feeder cattle
contracts trading near limit losses.
Over the last three weeks live fed prices have
lost $8/cwt seeing significant price erosion go-
ing into May. Packers have kept the lid on cattle
slaughter which has been particularly light over
the last several months as they have struggled
with poor margins. Packers have drastically cut
kills, bought cattle for 3-4 weeks out, now have
the leverage over the cattle feeder and will want to
guard it with determination.
Feedlots have shown that with higher breakev-
ens for feeder cattle placed on feed they are willing
to keep cattle on feed longer, stretching out market-
ing windows as steer carcass weights are at 871
lbs. for the week ending April 11, 21 lbs. heavier
than last year at this time.
Supplies of beef, pork and poultry were signifi-
cantly higher than a year ago. This is a result of
higher production especially of pork and chicken,
lower exports and higher imports of beef.
Total beef in cold storage was 479.8 million
pounds ending March 31 compared to year ago
totals of 405.8 million lbs. Pork supplies in cold
storage ending March 31 were 668.6 million lbs.
compared to year ago totals of 575.5 million lbs.
Chicken had supplies of 751.9 million lbs. ending
March 31, compared to year ago levels of 591.6
million lbs. The afternoon Cattle on Feed Report
had April 1 inventory at 100 percent; placements
at 100 percent and marketings at 98 percent.
Inventory was slightly higher than expected, with
placements larger than expected and marketings
close to expectations. Auction volume included 54
percent over 600 lbs. and 41 percent heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
168,400
221,700
174,200
WASHINGTON 2,400. 75 pct over 600 lbs. 46
pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 550-600
lbs. $255.76; 650-700 lbs. $242.31; 750-800 lbs.
$211.20. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 500-550
lbs. $242.56; 550-600 lbs. $242.11; 650-700 lbs.
$224.53; half load 720 lbs. $210.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
36,000
44,800
49,800
SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 200.
100 pct over 600 lbs. 48 pct heifers. Steers: Medi-
um and Large 1-2 Del May 875 lbs. $204. Heifers:
Medium and Large 1-2 Del May 825 lbs. $204.50.
NORTHWEST
(Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
3400. 76 pct over 600 lbs. 21 pct heifers. Steers:
Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 700-750
lbs. $235 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $195-202 Idaho-Or-
egon. Current Delivered Price 850-900 lbs. $198-
202 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price 550-600 lbs.
$234-250 Idaho-Oregon for September-Novem-
ber; 600-700 lbs. $228-240 calves for October-De-
cember Washington-Idaho-Oregon. Heifers: Me-
dium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 700 lbs.
$228 Idaho. Current Delivered Price 900 lbs. $196
Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price 500-600 lbs.
$229-245 for October-December Idaho-Oregon.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 24
This week
Last week
Last year
3,350
1,600
2,450
Compared to April 17: Feeder cattle steady to
$4 lower. Trade slow this week as most of the
Northwest is current and feedlots are at capacity
levels. More activity was noted for calf contracts
for fall delivery. Demand remains good. The
feeder supply included 79 percent steers and 21
percent heifers. Near 76 percent of the supply
weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB weigh-
ing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or equivalent
and with a 5-10 cent slide on calves and a 3-8
cent slide on yearlings. Delivered prices include
freight, commissions and other expenses. Cur-
rent sales are up to 14 days delivery.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB
Price: 700-750 lbs. $235 Idaho; 850-900 lbs.
$195-202 Idaho-Oregon. Current Delivered Price:
850-900 lbs. $198-202 Idaho. Future Delivery
FOB Price: 550-600 lbs. $234-250 Idaho-Oregon
for September-November; 600-700 lbs. $228-240
calves for October-December Washington-Ida-
ho-Oregon.
Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB
Price: 700 lbs. $228 Idaho. Current Delivered
Price: 900 lbs. $196 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB
Price: 500-600 lbs. $229-245 for October-Decem-
ber Idaho-Oregon.