Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2016)
14 CapitalPress.com May 6, 2016 Farm Market Report Hay Market Reports Potato Market Reports 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 relationship to Relative Feed Value (RFV), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients), or Crude Protein (CP) test numbers: 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 29 This week FOB Last week Last year 6,710 2,700 5,500 Compared to April 22: All grades of domestic and export Alfalfa weak in a light test. Premium second cutting Timothy for export weak to $25 lower in a light test. Trade remains slow and buyers remain cautious. Some new crop was reported being put in the bale this week in the southern basin. Sources expect new crop trading to begin next week. Demand re- mains light to moderate. Retail/Feedstore weak. Demand remains good. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Supreme 400 $150 Good 1550 $123-125 Fair/Good 2250 $110-130 Alfalfa Small Square Good 250 $160 600 $140 Fair/Good 60 $130 Timothy Grass Mid Square Good/Prem. 1000 $125 Timothy Grass Small Square Good/Prem. 600 $120 OREGON AREA HAY (USDA Market News) Portland, Ore. April 29 This week FOB Last week Last year 544 407 2,077 Compared to April 22: Prices trended generally steady compared to week ago prices in a very limited test. Many producers have de- cided to hold on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher prices or to feed to their own animals. Many hay producers are sold out for the year. All prices are in dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise stated. Tons Price CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES Orchard Grass Small Square Premium 31 $240 EASTERN OREGON Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Premium 15 $165 KLAMATH BASIN Alfalfa Small Square Premium 83 $160-180 Wheat Small Square Fair 27 $100 LAKE COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 33 $250 Small Square Premium 60 $200 Good 90 $175 Fair 30 $100 HARNEY COUNTY: No new sales confirmed. IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 29 This week FOB Last week Last year 800 1,600 5,900 Compared to April 22: All grades of Alfalfa steady to weak in a light test. Trade slow with light demand. Supplies remain heavy. Retail/ feed store/horse not tested this week. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Supreme 450 $115-125 Good 100 $90-100 Fair/Good 250 $80 CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 29 This week FOB Last week Last year 13,258 11,693 9,991 Compared to April 22: All classes traded steady with a softer un- dertone. Demand light. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, in Northern California, 1-3 inches of precipitation fell along the northern Sierra, which trans- lates into well above normal, but normals are lower this time of year and the amounts are small compared to the multi-year deficits, so no change was made to the depiction in California and Nevada. Tons Price REGION 1: NORTHERN 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. Alfalfa Premium 50 $180 Good/Prem. 300 $150 Fair/Good 250 $110 REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu- olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa. Alfalfa Supreme 85 $195 50 $200 Premium 75 $180 400 $165 Good/Prem. 150 $145 Fair/Good 65 $90 Fair 400 $85 Utility 425 $70 Orchard Grass Premium 25 $220 Oat Hay Good 150 $85 25 $150 REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo. Alfalfa Supreme 100 $246 Prem./Sup. 350 $185 Good 250 $225 Wheat Standing Good $20-25 Triticale Standing Good $20-22 REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West- ern San Bernardino. No new sales confirmed. REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial. Alfalfa Premium 2770 $160-165 2020 $160-171 200 $175 Good 2035 $150 Fair 454 $115 Orchard Grass Premium 100 $300 Bermuda Grass Premium 500 $150 Klein Grass Premium 2000 $120 Forage Mix-Four Way Fair 25 $65 Grain Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Portland Grains are stated in dollars per bushel or hundredweight (cwt.) except feed grains traded in dollars per ton. National grain report bids are for rail delivery unless truck indicated. PORTLAND GRAIN (USDA Market News) Portland April 28 PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY Cash wheat bids for April delivery ended the reporting week on Thursday April 28, lower compared to April 21 noon bids for April delivery. May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, April 28, lower as follows compared to April 21 closes: Chicago wheat futures were 20.25 cents lower at $4.7550, Kansas City wheat fu- tures were 27.50 cents lower at $4.61 and Minneapolis wheat fu- tures trended 13.50 cents lower at $5.30. Chicago May corn futures trended 2.50 cents higher at $3.87 and May soybean futures closed .75 of a cent lower at $10.18. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during April for ordinary protein were not available this week or last week. Most exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. There were no white club wheat premiums. One year-ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for April delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $5.85- 6.0625 and bids for White Club Wheat were $6.95-8.0625. Forward-month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as follows: May $5.2550-5.40, June and July $5.38-5.4050 and August New Crop $5.44-5.4525. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: May $5.85-6.0625, June $5.85- 6.0425, July $5.7625-5.85 and August New Crop $5.8575-5.95. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein during April were not available. White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein soft white wheat were zero cents per bushel over soft white wheat bids this week and last week. One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for April delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $6.2125- 6.4125 and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.2125-8.4125. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent proteins were as follows: May $5.4050-5.75, June $5.5550-5.77, July $5.5550-5.56 and August New Crop $5.4525-5.66. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: May $6.2125-6.4125, June not available, July $5.74-5.7625 and August New Crop $5.78-6.05. Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for April delivery were 24 to 27 cents per bushel lower compared to April 21 noon bids for April delivery. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. This week, bids were as follows: April $5.4650-5.4950, May $5.4650- 5.5450, June $5.4450-5.5950, July $5.4450-5.5950 and August New Crop $5.4525-5.6525. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North- ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during April were 12.25 to 16.25 cents per bushel lower than April 21 noon bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. This week, bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: April $6.2125-6.3725, May $6.2125-6.4225, June $6.2725-6.4225, July $6.2225-6.4225 and August New Crop $6.2550-6.4050. COARSE FEEDING GRAINS Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific North- west - BN shuttle trains for April delivery were 1.50 to 3.50 cents higher from $4.64-4.67 per bushel. Forward month corn bids were as follows: May $4.63-4.67, June $4.6625-4.7025, July $4.6525- 4.7025, August/September $4.5650-4.6850 and October/November $4.6250-4.7450. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific Northwest - BN shuttle trains for April delivery were .75 of a cent lower at $10.78-10.83 per bushel. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: May $10.78-10.88, June $10.9250-10.9550, July $10.9250-10.9950 and October/November $10.8350-10.8650. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for April delivery trended steady at $3.92 per bushel. PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS There were nine grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs- day, April 28, with four docked compared to 10 last week with four docked. There were no new confirmed export sales from the Com- modity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA. CALIFORNIA GRAINS (USDA Market News) Portland April 28 Prices in dollars per cwt., bulk Inc.= including; Nom.= nominal; Ltd.= limited; Ind.= indicated; NYE=Not fully estimated. GRAIN DELIVERED Mode Destination Price per cwt. BARLEY – U.S. No. 2 (46-lbs. per bushel) FOB Solano County NA Rail Los Angeles NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Colusa County NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa $10.55 Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $10.65 Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $9-9.10 Madera County NA Kern County NA Glenn County NA Colusa County NA Solano County NA CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow FOB Turlock-Tulare $8.64 Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.25-8.30 Kings-Tulare-Fresno NA Rail Single Car Units via BNSF Chino Valley-Los Angeles $9.23 Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.95 Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.95 Glenn County NA SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley via BNSF Single $9.14 Truck Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA OATS - U.S. No. 1 White Truck Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA OATS - U.S. No. 2 White Truck Petaluma $11.25 Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Rail Petaluma NA WHEAT - U.S. No. 2 or better-Hard Red Winter (Domestic Values for Flour Milling) Los Angeles 12 percent Protein NA Los Angeles 13 percent Protein NA Los Angeles 14 percent Protein NA Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein Los Angeles 12 percent Protein NA Los Angeles 13 percent Protein NA Los Angeles 14 percent Protein NA WHEAT - U.S. Durum Wheat Truck Imperial County NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties NA WHEAT - Any Class for Feed FOB Tulare NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $9.35 Colusa County NA Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $9.50 King-Tulare-Fresno Counties NA Fresno NA Merced County NA Colusa County NA Kern County NA Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period end- ing April 21: No new sales. California SHASTA (Shasta Livestock Auction) Cottonwood, Calif. April 29 Current week Last week 905 596 Compared to April 22: Slaughter market $5 low- er. Another tough week in the futures resulting in calves and yearlings mostly $5 lower. Off lots and singles $25-50 lower. Slaughter cows: Breakers $67-74; $75-78 high dress; Boning $59-66; Cutters $45-60. Bulls 1 and 2: $65-89; $90-94 high dress. Feeder steers: 300-400 lbs. $190-197; 400-450 lbs. $189; 500-550 lbs. $160-178; 550-600 lbs. $160-168; 600-650 lbs. $154-164; 650-700 lbs. $140-157; 700-750 lbs. $130-142; 750-800 lbs. $126-134; 800-900 lbs. $115-123. Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $170-180; 400- 450 lbs. $157-175; 600-650 lbs. $130-149; 650- 700 lbs. $120-137; 700-750 lbs. $120-125; 800- 900 lbs. $108-116.75. Pairs: Few older pairs $1450-1710. Calvy cows: No test. Washington TOPPENISH (Toppenish Livestock Auction) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 29 This week Last week Last year 1,400 2,525 2,020 Compared to April 22 at the same market: Stocker and feeder cattle weak to $6 lower in a light test. Trade active with moderate demand. Slaughter cows $1-2 higher. Slaughter bulls $2-3 lower. Trade active with good demand. Slaughter cows 66 percent, slaughter bulls 5 percent, and feeders 29 percent of the supply. The feeder supply included 49 percent steers and 51 percent heifers. Near 61 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. Replacement cows pretested for age, pregnancy, and bangs. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 500- 600 lbs. $140-145; 500-600 lbs. $172-187.50, Thin Fleshed; 600-700 lbs. $135; 700-800 lbs. $132-137.50; 800-900 lbs. $131. Medium and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $110-115; 700-800 lbs. $110. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-500 lbs. $138; 400-500 lbs. $156, Thin Fleshed; 500-600 lbs. $135-140.50; 600-700 lbs. $130.50-140. Medium and Large 2-3: 600- 700 lbs. $106.50; 700-800 lbs. $100. Large 1-2: 1000-1100 lbs. $99.75, Full; 1000-1100 lbs. $110, Heiferettes. Small and Medium 1-2: 600-700 lbs. $106, Full. Feeder Cows: Large 1-2: 1000-1100 lbs. $87, Young; 1200-1300 lbs. $83.50, Young. Slaughter Cows: Boning 80-85 percent lean 1100-2000 lbs. $71-75; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1000-1900 lbs. $69-74; Lean Light 90 percent lean 1000-1300 lbs. $57-61. Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1700-2400 lbs. $86-93. Bred Cows (Per Head): Few Young (3-4 yrs. old) 1089 lbs. 1400 6-9 mos.; Few Young to Mid- Aged( 3-11 yrs. old) 1150-1400 lbs. 1200-1350 3-6 mos. bred; Broken Mouth 1200 lbs. 900 6-9 mos. Oregon VALE (Producers Livestock Market) April 27 Total receipts: 886 head. Comments: $8-12 cwt. Lower on most classes of feeder cattle, yearlings and also the lighter grass cattle Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $159-174; 400-500 lbs. $157-176; 500-600 lbs. $153-181. Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $147-165; 400-500 lbs. $136-164; 500-600 lbs. $128-144. Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $143-152; 700- 800 lbs. $135-145; 800-900 lbs. $126-132; 900- 1000 lbs. $111-117. Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $120-129; 700- 800 lbs. $116-127; 800-900 lbs. $111-117. Light Holstein steers, 600 lbs. and under: NA Stock cows (young): NA. Stock cows (B.M.): $975-1275. Butcher cows: $63-71. Thin shelly cows: $47-61. France threatens to torpedo U.S.-Europe trade deal PARIS (AP) — France is threatening to reject a huge free trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union, saying it’s too friendly to U.S. business and probably doomed. Signs of trouble are dogging the creation of a Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partner- ship, a U.S.-EU free trade zone encompassing half the world economy. President Francois Hollande said Tuesday that France “will never accept” challenges to its farming and culture in exchange for better access to U.S. markets. “That’s why at this stage, France says no,” the Socialist leader said at a conference on left-wing politics. Earlier Tuesday, French Trade Minister Matthias Fekl told Europe-1 radio that negoti- ations “are totally blocked” and that a halt to talks “is the most probable option.” He insisted on better farming and environmen- tal protections, adding that “in its current state, France cannot sign it.” “Europe is giving a lot ... but receiving very little in return,” he said. European officials appear to be toughening their rhetoric after Greenpeace leaked large amounts of confidential nego- tiating documents that suggest the EU is coming under U.S. pressure to weaken consumer protections in key sectors. The EU chief negotiator said several Greenpeace conclu- sions were “false” while U.S. Trade representative spokesman Trevor Kincaid said the inter- pretations were misleading and sometimes wrong. Still, EU negotiator Ignacio Garcia Bercero said Monday that major disagreements re- main between the two sides fol- lowing the 13th round of talks last week. The U.S. election campaign is complicating nego- tiations, making it increasingly unlikely that President Barack Obama can achieve a deal be- fore leaving office. International Paper to buy 7 pulp mills from Weyerhaeuser NEW YORK (AP) — In- ternational Paper said it is paying $2.2 billion to buy seven mills from Weyerhae- user that make pulp used in diapers, tissues and other con- sumer products. The deal is expected to close before the end of the year. International Paper said Monday the mills employ about 1,900 people. Geor- gia and Mississippi have two mills each. The others are in North Carolina, Canada and Poland. Based in Memphis, Ten- nessee, International Paper makes paper and packaging and said the deal will expand its product offering to busi- nesses. The company will get a Prices are weekly averages of daily prices. All prices are in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.). FWA is a weighted average of shipping point prices or common packs in each area. Weights differ by area. GRI is the Grower Returns Index for each individual area. FRESH RUSSET POTATO MARKET REPORT (North American Potato Market News) (USDA Market News) May 30 Market commentary: Russet table potato prices have been flat for several weeks, but they are showing signs that the could start to move higher. SHIPPING AREA FWA Chg GRI Chg 70 ct Chg 10 lb. Film Chg IDAHO BURBANKS $12.95 $0.02 $5.60 $0.01 $20 $0 $7.50 0 COLUMBIA BASIN $13.37 $0 $5.89 $0 $19 $0 $8.50 $0 KLAMATH BASIN $14.67 $0 $6.24 $0 $22 $0 $9.50 $0 Sheep/Wool Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Greeley, Colo.-San Angelo, Texas Wool prices in cents per pound and foreign currency per kilogram, sheep prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals on per head basis as indicated. NATIONAL WOOL REVIEW (USDA Market News) Greeley, Colo. April 29 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was very active this week. There were 1,017,198 lbs. of confirmed trades. Much of the wool being traded has seen prices falling between the 80-85 percent of Australia range, with paint free lots receiving a two- to five-cent premium per pound. Higher vegetable matter and shorter length wools are falling to ranges of 70-75 percent of Australia. Shearing is ongoing, and for the most part con- ditions have been good with the occasional storm slowing the process for only one to two days at a time. Wool is still being collected and samples are being sent in for testing as wool is being marketed at this time. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was at a standstill this week. There were no confirmed trades to quote. Domestic wool tags No. 1 $.60-.70 No. 2 $.50-.60 No. 3 $.40-.50 NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY (USDA Market News) San Angelo, Texas April 29 Compared to last week: Slaughter lambs were steady to as much as $20 lower, except light lambs at New Holland, Pa., $10-20 higher. Slaughter ewes were steady to $10 higher. Feeder lambs were $5-10 lower. At San Angelo, Texas, 6,077 head sold. No sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes were steady and feeder lambs were $10 lower than last test. 2,700 head of nego- tiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady. 11,600 head of formula sales of 85-95 lbs. dressed lambs were $2-4 lower other weights had no trend due to confidentiality. 4,517 lamb carcasses sold with 65 lbs. and down no trend due to confidentiality; 65-75 lbs. $1.66 higher; 75-85 lbs. $.06 higher and 85 lbs. and up no trend due to confidentiality. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3: San Angelo: Shorn and wooled 105-145 lbs. $128-142. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $224-242, few $246; 60-70 lbs. $206-226, few $230; 70-80 lbs. $190- 200, few 202-205; 80-90 lbs. $180-190; 90-110 lbs. $170-180. DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent): 2,700 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 127- 185 lbs. $117.08-150 (wtd avg $132.12). Idaho: 600 Slaughter Ewes Utility and Good 1-3 $41-43; Cull and Utility 1-2 $25. SLAUGHTER EWES: San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $65-76; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $80-92; Utility 1-2 (thin) $70-80; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $60- 68; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $35-50. FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: 49 lbs. $222; 60-70 lbs. $190-210; 70-80 lbs. $179-190; 80-90 lbs. $168-179; 90-100 lbs. $164-174. REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: Baby tooth hair ewes $214 per head; solid mouth hair ewes $178-190 per head; mixed age hair ewes 100-150 lbs. $106-134 cwt. NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice and Prime 1-4: Weight Wtd. avg. 45 lbs. Down Price not reported due to confidentiality 45-55 lbs. Price not reported due to confidentiality 55-65 lbs. $327.72 65-75 lbs. $284.93 75-85 lbs. $274.80 85 lbs. and up Price not reported due to confidentiality Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in- spection for the week to date totaled 39,000 com- pared with 36,000 last week and 38,000 last year. California Egg Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Des Moines 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 29 Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 7 cents higher for Jumbo, Extra Large, and Large and 8 cents higher for Medium and Small. The undertone is steady. Demand is moderate on moderate offerings. Warehouse buying interest has slowed and is reported as usually slow to moderate. Supplies are light to mostly moderate. Market activity is slow. Small benchmark price 85 cents. Size Range Size Range Jumbo 149 Extra large 142 Large 135 Medium 105 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 101-112 Extra large 68-79 Large 66-75 Medium 43-52 Cattle Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash. Livestock Auctions Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair or head as indicated. Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA Agricultural Market Service $300 million tax benefit for the deal, bringing its total cost for the mills down to $1.9 bil- lion. Weyerhaeuser Co., based in Federal Way, Washington, is shedding its pulp business- es to focus on selling lumber and other wood products. It plans to use most of the sale proceeds to pay down debt. Earlier this year, Weyerhaeus- er bought Plum Creek Timber for $8.44 billion, creating the world’s biggest timberland and forest products compa- nies. Weyerhaeuser said last year that it planned strategic alternatives for its cellulose fi- bers business, which includes pulp. It is still reviewing what to do with its liquid packaging board facility, newsprint and publishing papers businesses. Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair or head as indicated. NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE (Federal-State Market News) St. Joseph, Mo. April 29 This week Last week Last year 261,600 201,100 302,700 Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers continued mostly $5-10 lower throughout the week. The only bright spot was April 27, when things looked to be turning around with a couple auctions showing some strength, despite the CME board closing slightly lower after trending higher April 25 and April 26. The mid-week weakness in the futures was the spark that ignited the fire, confirming that early week gains would be short-lived, as April 28 the board opened lower and finished sharply lower. The April 22 Cattle on Feed Report had April 1 inventory .5 percent higher than last year at 10.85 million head; placements at 104.6 percent and marketings at 107.1 percent. Inventory was slightly lower than expected, with placements lighter than expected and marketing were higher than expectations. The report was more bullish than expected, but was not enough for the bearish outlook. A combi- nation of decreased imports and the fed cattle fu- tures decline appeared to play a role in placement during the month of March, as profit outlooks for late summer and fall looks bleak. USDA’s Cold Storage report showed total beef in storage down from last year and just slightly under the 5-year average, which can be viewed as a positive moving into grilling season. However, even the few supportive signs than can be gleaned from those two reports are cer- tainly not enough to change the current market’s bearish position. Protein sources are plentiful and beef demand is modest at best. Fed cattle trade was pretty much wrapped up by late afternoon April 21 with live sales at $124, $3 lower than the previous week’s trade and northern dressed sales at $196, $4 lower than last week and losing 20 in just two weeks. Some packers appear to be bought up through May and asking for extended delivery. With the last two week’s estimated weekly cattle harvest numbers coming in as the two big- gest weeks so far this year, packer margins are favorable. A large portion of the field work in the Corn Belt has been slowed as a result of widespread thunderstorms early in the trading period. This should change early next week and allow planting to resume. Despite the temporarily slowed planting prog- ress, we should still be able to maintain our near record planting pace. The early start to corn planting likely brought some additional acres into production. At the same time, we are hearing reports that the rally in soybeans has encouraged some pro- duction of that crop. Auction volume this week included 52 percent weighing over 600 lbs. and 40 percent heifers. AUCTIONS This week Last week Last year 165,700 164,700 180,200 WASHINGTON 2,200. 66 pct over 600 lbs. 46 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 550- 600 lbs. $142.90; 650-700 lbs. $144.12. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 450-600 lbs. $147.35; 550-600 lbs. $139.71; 600-650 lbs. $136.73; 650- 700 lbs. $134.10. DIRECT This week Last week Last year 36,500 35,500 66,400 SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 1,100. No cattle over 600 lbs. 48 pct heifers. Holsteins: Large 3 Large 3: 325 lbs. $140-142 September Del. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 480 lbs. Current Del $134. (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) NORTHWEST 600. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 41 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current Delivered Price 850 lbs. $142 Idaho. Large 1 900-950 lbs. $131 Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current Delivered Price 850 lbs. $132 Idaho. NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE (USDA Market News) Oklahoma City, Okla. April 29 Slaughter cattle traded $2-3 lower on a live basis. Dressed sales in Nebraska sold mostly $2-4 lower. The whole cattle complex took a dive this week. Beef prices moved sharply lower as demand has been light to moderate on moderate to heavy supplies. This in a time when packers should be looking to meet kill needs for the up coming Me- morial Day holiday. Boxed Beef prices April 29 averaged $206.86 down $8.64 from April 21. The Choice/Select spread is $9.18. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through April 29 totaled about 101,200 head. The previous week’s total head count was 96,432 head. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers: $123-124.50. Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers mostly $196. South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers few $124. Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls steady to $2 lower, except Oklahoma steady to $2 higher. Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value April 21 was $175.08 up $1.21 from April 21. NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 29 This week Last week Last year 550 1,300 2,450 Compared to April 21: Feeder cattle weak in a light test. Trade slow this week as bearish cattle futures have succeeded in leading the feedlot trade significantly lower. Area feedlots are wait- ing until next week when a significant number of cattle will be offered for sale. Demand light to moderate. The feeder supply included 59 percent steers and 41 percent heifers. Near 100 percent of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or equiv- alent and with a 5-12 cent slide on calves and a 3-8 cent slide on yearlings. Delivered prices include freight, commissions and other expenses. Current sales are up to 14 days delivery. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current Deliv- ered Price: 850 lbs. $142 Idaho. Large 1: 900-950 lbs. $131 Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current Deliv- ered Price: 850 lbs. $132 Idaho. Replacement Heifers (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 800-850 lbs. $1200 Washington.