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March 31, 2017 CapitalPress.com Farm Market Report 13 S PONSORED BY ROP-9-5-4/#7 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 retail outlets. Basis is current delivery FOB barn or stack, or deliv- ered 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 OREGON AREA HAY (USDA Market News) Portland, Ore. March 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 2,587 646 1,906 Compared to March 17: Prices trended generally steady in a limited test compared to week ago prices. Most demand lies with the retail/stable hay. According to some producers, horse owners prefer lower sugar, higher protein hay. Many producers are sold out for the year. Tons Price CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES Alfalfa Large Square Good 200 $125 Orchard Grass Large Square Good 600 $160 Small Square Premium 1 $250 EASTERN OREGON Good 100 $115 Alfalfa Large Square Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Good/Prem. 4 $150 Square KLAMATH BASIN Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Premium 50 $240 Good/Prem. 100 $220 Barley Straw Small Square Utility 110 $77 HARNEY COUNTY Prem./Sup. 400 $150 Alfalfa Large Square Oat Large Square Good 60 $95 LAKE COUNTY Supreme 159 $175-210 Alfalfa Large Square Premium 60 $160 60 $160 Small Square Good/Prem. Premium Good/Prem. Good/Prem. Good 140 120 30 30 98 $150 $185 $150 $125 $80 Alfalfa/Oat Mix Small Square Oat Large Square Pea/Barley/Oat/Wheat Large Square Good/Prem. 15 $105 Triticale Large Square Good/Prem. 250 $75 IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. March 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 1,000 1,600 630 Compared to March 17: Domestic Alfalfa steady in a light test. Trade very slow with very good demand as supplies are in firm hands and winter is still around in some places. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Fair/Good 1000 $115-120 CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. March 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 3,535 6,930 15,495 Compared to March 17: All classes traded steady with moderate demand. According the U.S. Drought Monitor, the National Weather Service 6- to 10-day outlook for March 28-April 1 calls for near- to above-normal temperatures and precipitation over most of the na- tion, with drier-than-normal weather in California. Tons Price REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and Plumas. Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Premium 100 $240 Orchard Grass Premium 50 $280 REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento. No new sales confirmed. REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu- olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa. Alfalfa Prem./Sup. 100 $225 Premium 50 $180 100 $240 25 $185 Good/Prem. 75 $190 75 $208 Forage Mix-Three Way Good 75 $110 REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo. No new sales confirmed. REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West- ern San Bernardino. Alfalfa Premium 250 $190 Forage Mix-Three Way Good 50 $200 REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial. Alfalfa Supreme 720 $190 Prem./Sup. 850 $180 140 $195 Premium 350 $172 175 $165 250 $180 Fair 100 $90 WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY (Columbia Basin) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. March 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 5,730 3,600 6,330 Compared to March 17: Export and domestic Alfalfa steady. Trade slow to moderate with good demand. Westside dairies are showing interest in hay this week as last year’s winter has taken its toll on feed supplies. Retail/Feedstore steady. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Premium 910 $110-115 1600 $120-125 Good 2200 $100 Fair 700 $90 Alfalfa Small Square Premium 30 $180 Orchard Grass Small Square Premium 90 $190-215 Wheat Straw Mid Square Fair 200 $50 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. CALIFORNIA GRAINS (USDA Market News) Portland March 23 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 Kern County NA Rail Los Angeles NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.00 Colusa County NA CORN-U.S. No. 2 Yellow FOB Turlock-Tulare $8.19 Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno $7.40 Rail Single Car Units via BNSF Chino Valley-Los Angeles $8.46 Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.50 Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.50 Kern County NA SORGHUM-U.S. No. 2 Yellow Los Angeles-Chino Valley Rail via BNSF Single $8.10 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 Kern County NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties NA WHEAT-Any Class for Feed FOB Tulare NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.75 Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period end- ing March 3: No confirmed sales. PORTLAND GRAIN (USDA Market News) Portland March 24 PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY Cash wheat bids for March delivery ended the reporting week on Thursday, March 23, were lower, compared to March 17 noon bids for March delivery. May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, March 23, lower as follows compared to March 17 closes: Chicago wheat futures were 15 cents lower at $4.21, Kansas City wheat futures were 22 cents lower at $4.28 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 7.25 cents lower at $5.4075. Chicago May corn futures trended 9.25 cents lower at $3.5675 and May soybean futures closed 10.50 cents lower at $9.91. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during March for ordinary protein trended five to 15 cents per bushel lower compared to March 17 prices for the same delivery period at $4.41-4.66. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. White club wheat premiums were zero to 15 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 March delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were not avail- able and bids for White Club Wheat were also not available. Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as follows: April and May $4.41-4.88, June $4.46-4.84 and August New Crop $4.51-4.73. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any pro- tein were as follows: April through August New Crop not available. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 per- cent protein during March trended steady to 15 cents per bushel lower compared to week ago price for the same delivery period at $4.41-4.80. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby de- livery. White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 per- cent protein soft white wheat this week were zero to 10 cents per bushel over soft white wheat bids this week and last week. One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maxi- mum 10.5 percent protein for March delivery by unit trains and barg- es to Portland were $5.33-5.38 and bids for White Club Wheat were $5.33-5.93. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent proteins were as follows: April and May $4.41-4.80 and August New Crop $4.51-4.80. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: April $5.33-5.50, May $5.33-5.53, June $5.3075-5.55 and August New Crop $4.98-5.30. Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for March delivery were 22 cents per bushel lower compared to March 17 noon bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Bids were as follows: March $5.08- 5.33, April $5.08-5.28, May $5.08-5.23, June $5.1575- 5.2575 and August New Crop $5.1550-5.3050. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North- ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during March were 7.25 cents per bushel lower than March 17 noon bids for the same de- livery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby de- livery. Bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: March, April and May $6.4075-6.7575, June $6.47-6.72 and August New Crop $6.6850-6.7350. COARSE FEEDING GRAINS Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific Northwest - BNSF shuttle trains for March delivery trended 6.25 to 9.25 cents lower from $4.2975-4.3675. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Forward month corn bids were as follows: April $4.3575-4.3775, May $4.3175-4.3675, June $4.3650-4.3750 and July $4.3450-4.3650. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific Northwest - BN shuttle trains for March delivery trend- ed 10.50 cents lower from $10.46 to $10.51. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: April and May $10.51-10.56, October $10.7625- 10.8125 and November $10.7325-10.7525. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for March delivery trended steady at $3.2650 per bushel. PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS There were 37 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs- day, March 23, with six docked compared to 35 last week with five docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA. Idaho CALDWELL (Treasure Valley Livestock) March 17 Steers (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $93; 400-500 lbs. $79.50; 500-600 lbs. $82; 600-700 lbs. $77; 700- 800 lbs. $87.25; 800 lbs. and up $83. Steers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $145; 300-400 lbs. $195; 400-500 lbs. $370; 500-600 lbs. $360.; Heifers (wt.): 400-500 lbs. $63; 500-600 lbs. $61; 700-800 lbs. $107.25; 800-900 lbs. $72; 900- 1000 lbs. $70.50; 1000-1100 lbs. $70.75; 1100- 1200 lbs. $76.50; 1200 lbs. and up $88. Heifers (hd.): 200-300 lbs. $100; 300-400 lbs. $175; 400-500 lbs. $285. Bull Calf (wt.): 400-500 lbs. $66; 500-600 lbs. $65.Bull Calf (hd.): 300-400 lbs. $325; 500-600 lbs. $290. Cows (wt.): 1300-1400 lbs. $52; 1400-1500 lbs. $56; 1500-1600 lbs. $57.50; 1600-1700 lbs. $57. Holstein Bulls (wt.): 1300-1400 lbs. $74. California SHASTA (Shasta Livestock Auction) Cottonwood, Calif. March 24 Current week Last week 1,121 514 Compared to March 3: Slaughter cows $5-8 higher due to low supply and high demand. Steers and heifers mostly $3-10 higher due to a good week in futures and good fed cattle market. Slaughter cows: High yielding $66-74; Med yielding $55-65; Low yielding NA. Bulls 1 and 2: $65-87. Feeder steers: 600-650 lbs. $135-160; 700-750 lbs. $125-135; 750-800 lbs. $125-128.50; 800- 900 lbs. $118-129. Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $145-164; 400- 450 lbs. $150-160; 450-500 lbs. $140-155; 500-550 lbs. $145-161; 600-650 lbs. $120-138; 650-700 lbs. $120-127; 700-750 lbs. $115-119; 750-800 lbs. $115-120.50; 800-900 lbs. $115-119. Calvy cows: Too few to test. Pairs: Three loads of heifers pairs $1,950- 2,000; Full Mouth $1,375-1,975; Broken Mouth $1,000-1,375 TURLOCK (Turlock Livestock Auction Yard) Turlock, Calif. March 24 Total receipts: 1041 head. Compared to March 10: Good supply of dairy replacements. with a steady market. Weigh Cows and Bull market steady with a week ago. Springers: No. 1 Holstein springer $1700-1900; No. 2 Holstein springer $1300-1675; No. 1 Jersey springer $1450-1750 No. 2 Jersey cross springer $1400-1800. Weigh beef cows: High yielding no test; Med yielding $47-64; Low yielding $40-46. Weigh dairy cows: High yielding $64-73; Med yielding $54-63; Low yielding $35-53. Weigh bulls: High yielding $80-86.50; Med yielding $70-79; Low yielding $50-69. Holstein Barren Heifers; $62-80. Oregon LEBANON (Lebanon Auction Yard) March 23 Total Receipts: 286. Top conventional cow $70, Top 10 avg. $66.98, avg. all $55.03. Top conventional bull: $84. Top organic cow: $93; Top 10 avg. $86.18, avg all $69.21. Cow/calf pairs: $750-1140 per pair. Breed cows: $570-985 per head. Beef day olds: $570-985 per head. Goats: $25-150 per head. MADRAS (Central Oregon Livestock Auction) March 27 Total head count: 426. Steers: 400-500 lbs. $150-175; 500-600 lbs. $140-155; 600-700 lbs. $128-140; 700-800 lbs. $122-132; 800-900 lbs. $117-125. Heifers: 400-500 lbs. $135-155; 500-600 lbs. $125-135; 600-700 lbs. $118-128; 700-800 lbs. $115-123; 800-900 lbs. $110-118. Butcher cows: High yielding $65-70; fleshy $60- 67; medium flesh $65-70; thinner older $60-65. Bulls: High yielding $84-87; mostly $80-84; thinner $75-80. VALE (Producers Livestock Market) March 22 Total receipts: 772 head. Comments: All weights and classes of feed cat- tle. $4-8 higher. Cows and bulls a little softer, but not much for high yielding cows. Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. NA; 400-500 lbs. $150-176; 500-600 lbs. $140-164. Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $139-165; 400-500 lbs. $131-160; 500-600 lbs. $124-143. Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $130-148; 700- 800 lbs. $119-134; 800-900 lbs. $120-127; 900- 1000 lbs. $112-120. Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $118-130; 700- 800 lbs. $115-122; 800-900 lbs. $105-117; 1000 lbs. And up $90-106. Light Holstein steers, 600 lbs. and under: NA. Light Holstein steers, 700 lbs. and over: NA. Stock cows: $750-1000 Pairs, young: $1100- 1525. Butcher cows: $55-65. Thin shelly cows: $46- 57. Younger heiferettes: $87-105. Butcher bulls: $55-70. WOODBURN (Woodburn Livestock Auction) Woodburn, Ore. March 21 Total receipts: 563. Top 10 slaughter cows $61.48; top 50 slaughter cows $57.75; top 100 slaughter cows $55.01. Top certified organic cattle: $85. All certified organic cattle average price: $52. All slaughter bulls: $70-75. Top beef steers: 300-400 lbs. $130-150; 400- 500 lbs. $140-160; 500-600 lbs. $130-146; 600- 700 lbs. $125-137. Top beef heifers: 300-400 lbs. $120-140; 400- 500 lbs. $125-139; 500-600 lbs. $120-134.50; 600-700 lbs. $115-121. Cow/calf pairs: $890-1520. Bred cows: $700- 825. Day-old beef cross calves: $220-260 per head. Day-old dairy calves: $5-40 per head. Hogs: Block hogs $83-101; feeder pigs $65-80 per head; sows $10-32. Sheep: Lambs 40-70 lbs. $185-203, 75-150 lbs. $160-180; thin ewes $65-95; fleshy ewes $50-65; ewe/lamb pairs $60-65 head. Goats: 10-40 lbs. $20-75; 40-70 lbs. $50-140; 70-150 lbs. $160-237.50 head. Washington TOPPENISH (Toppenish Livestock Auction) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. March 24 This week Last week Last year 1,270 2,400 1,560 Compared to March 17: Stocker cattle $7-8 higher as spring fever is in full swing. Feeder cattle weak in a light test. Trade active with good demand and good buyer attendance. Slaughter cows steady. Slaughter bulls $3-4 higher. Trade active with good demand. Slaughter cows 71 percent, slaughter bulls 5 percent, and feeders 24 percent of the supply. The feeder supply included 47 percent steers and 53 percent heifers. Near 53 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400- 500 lbs. $195; 500-600 lbs. $169.50-177.50; 600- 700 lbs. $149-149.50; 700-800 lbs. $118.50-121; 700-800 lbs. $112, Full; 800-900 lbs. $117.50- 119. Medium and Large 2-3: 500-600 lbs. $154. Small and Medium 1-2: 300-400 lbs. $185. Small and Medium 2-3: 400-500 lbs. $112.50. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300- 400 lbs. $165-172; 500-600 lbs. $141.50-145; 600-700 lbs. $130-137; 700-800 lbs. $112.50- 118.50; 800-900 lbs. $111-114.50. Slaughter Holstein Steers: Few Select 2-3 1300-1400 lbs. $68-70.50. Slaughter Cows: Boners 80-85 percent lean 1500-2100 lbs. $64-69; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1200-1900 lbs. $63-69; Lean Light 90 percent lean 900-1350 lbs. $53-58. Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 few 1600-2200 lbs. $78-84. Bred Cows (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2: Few Mid-Aged 1248 lbs. 1-3 mos. bred $800. Cow/Calf Pairs (Per Pair): Medium and Large 1-2: Few Broken Mouth 1400 lbs. with 100-150 lbs. calves. Dairy Report Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Madison FLUID MILK AND CREAM REVIEW – WEST (USDA Market News) Madison, Wis. March 23 California milk production is up this week. The weather is currently warmer, and some dairy handlers are still recovering from the preceding rainy days. Class 1 demand is steady. Proces- sors are managing to meet their contract needs and have enough supplies for processing needs. Alfalfa is growing well as a result of the warmer weather. Pacific Northwest milk production is stable. Bottling demand is seasonally steady and there is plenty of milk available to keep manufacturing facilities operating near capacity. Water held in Washington reservoirs is below normal for this time of year. Water levels have been purposely kept low in preparation of expected above normal spring and summer runoffs. Industry contacts expect adequate supplies of water for irrigation this spring. Milk production in the mountain states of Ida- ho, Utah and Colorado is coming back after a tough winter. Industry contacts in Northern Utah and Idaho say conditions are improving and milk intakes are growing. However, they add that some cows are still feeling some stress from the unusually harsh winter and it may be the next lactation before milk production recovers fully. Rivers are full, but crop ground is in good shape. With reservoirs at or above average capacity, farmers expect plen- ty of water for irrigation and a good start to the 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) March 25 Market commentary: Russet count cartons continue the advance that got under way at the beginning of March. SHIPPING AREA FWA Chg GRI Chg 70 ct Chg 10 lb. Film Chg IDAHO BURBANKS $11.01 $0.45 $4.35 $0.27 $17.50 $1.50 $6.50 $0 IDAHO NORKOTAHS $10.42 $0.41 $3.88 $0.31 $16 $1 $6.50 $0 COLUMBIA BASIN $11.88 $0.10 $4.89 $0.06 $17 $1 $7.50 -$0.50 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. March 24 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was active this week. There were 197,000 pounds of confirmed trades reported. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was at a standstill this week. There were no confirmed trades reported. Domestic wool tags No. 1 $.60-.70 No. 2 $.50-.60 No. 3 $.40-.50 NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY (USDA Market News) San Angelo, Texas March 24 Compared to March 17: Slaughter lambs were steady to $20 lower, except at Sioux Falls, S.D., $4-6 higher. Slaughter ewes were steady to $10 lower, except at Sioux Falls steady to $5 higher. Feeder lambs were not well tested. At San An- gelo, Texas, 5,905 head sold. No sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs were not tested. 3,200 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady. 6,089 lamb car- casses sold with 45 lbs. and down $8.81 higher; 45-65 lbs. no trend due to confidentiality; 65-75 lbs. $2.53 higher and 75 lbs. and up $5.16-5.63 higher. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3: San Angelo: shorn and wooled 110-165 lbs. $130-148, few $152-160. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $225-240, few 242- 248; 60-70 lbs. $220-238, few $244; 70-80 lbs. $212-230, few $234-238; 80-90 lbs. $205-228; 90-110 lbs. $184-202, few $212-216. DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent): 3,200 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 127-185 lbs. $136.25-164 (wtd avg $145.56). SLAUGHTER EWES: San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $72-75; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $82-92; Utility 1-2 (thin) $70-80; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $58- 66; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $40-55. FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: 70-80 lbs. $208-224. REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: hair ewe lambs 65-75 lbs. $246- 260 cwt, 80-100 lbs. $190-198 per head; baby tooth hair ewes $165-200 per head; mixed age hair ewes 90-140 lbs. $100-150 cwt. NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice and Prime 1-4: Weight Wtd. avg. 45 lbs. and down $497.65 45-55 lbs. Price not reported due to confidentiality 55-65 lbs. $336.60 65-75 lbs. $286.78 75-85 lbs. $271.30 85 lbs. and up $264.88 Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 40,000 compared with 40,000 last week and 40,000 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 March 24 Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are unchanged for Jumbo and 4 cents higher on all other sizes. The undertone is steady. Offerings are moderate to available. Demand is moderate to fairly good, best into current ads. Warehouse buying interest is slow. Market activity is slow to moderate. Small benchmark price 95 cents. Size Price Size Price Jumbo $140 Extra large $140 Large $132 Medium $115 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 $131-143 Extra large $131-135 Large $117-126 Medium $96-107 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 growing season. Condensed skim sales are flat. Some contacts report having offers at $0.65/lb. in California. Availability of cream in the West is abundant. Some producers are making more butter to keep up with excess cream. Demands are steadily lower in California and cream premiums are from 0 to 5 cents. According to the DMN National Retail Re- port-Dairy for the week of March 17-23, the na- tional weighted average advertised price for one gallon of milk is $2.59, up 8 cents from last week and 41 cents higher from a year ago. The weight- ed average regional price in the Southwest is $2.57, with a price range of $1.99-2.99. No ads were reported in the Northwest. The NASS Milk Production report noted Feb- ruary 2017 milk production in the 23 selected states was 15.7 billion pounds, 1.0 percent below the unadjusted production of a year ago. Milk cows in the 23 selected states totaled 8.69 million head, 66,000 head more than a year ago. The following table shows western states in- cluded in the report and the monthly milk produc- tion changes compared to a year ago: FEBRUARY 2017 MILK PRODUCTION, (US- DA-NASS). (Million Lb.) % Change From 1 Year Ago California 3,122 -5.4 Colorado 313 +3.3 Idaho 1,095 -2.7 Oregon 196 -5.8 Washington 502 -5.6 Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair Oregon head as indicated. NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE (Federal-State Market News) St. Joseph, Mo. March 24 This week Last week Last year 409,500 334,600 262,300 Compared to March 17: Steers and heifers were steady to $7 higher, with the early week sales be- ing steady to $4 higher and later week auctions $3 to $7 higher. There were instances when trends this week were called up to $9 higher as the CME cattle com- plex was sharply higher mid-week and didn’t give up the ghost as the week moved on. News of fed cattle trade on March 22 spurred the markets higher when some cattle were reported on the FCE at $136.50 in Nebraska which would be $4 to 5 higher than last week’s sales. Dressed sales were turned in on March 23 at $215, $5 higher than last week. Support flowed over to the Feeder Cattle contracts when they were from $3 to almost $4.50 higher for the week, with the most gain coming in the further out months. With all the support around the circuit, spring has sprung and cattle buyers were bidding readily and aggressively for all offerings on hand at auctions nationwide. On March 22 in Kearney, Neb., at Huss-Platte Valley Livestock Auction a package of 707 lb. steers with all the bells and whistles sold at $155 and a load of 542 lb. thin fleshed steers rang the bell at $186.50. Additionally, on March 22 in St Joseph, Mo., a load plus of 877 lb. steers sold for $138 and a short load of 806 lb. steers sold at $144.75. On March 23 in Valentine, Neb., a load of 757 lb. steers went for $152 and a string of 718 lb. replace- ment heifers sold of $1335 per head which would equate to around $186/cwt. Boxed beef has rallied since the beginning of February, the implied packer margins are back in the black and packers have been more than will- ing to pay up for live cattle. Since Feb. 10, Choice Boxed Beef has gained around $35 and this is going through the month of March, which is not known for its spectacular demand. Some of the boxed beef sales may now be going the way of exports as a number of importing coun- tries that utilize beef from Brazil announced that they are either suspending, curtailing or enhancing inspections of meat from that country. Brazil has surpassed the U.S. in exports and in recent years has become the largest global supplier of red meat and poultry products. Analysts are looking at how many dollars of product that could be affected by suspension of those products and with approximately $5.5 billion worth exported from Brazil in calendar year 2016, it could be a boon for other countries that step up production and fill the void. Cattle on Feed report came in within analyst expectations as the On Feed number is at 100 percent; placements at 99 percent and Marketings at 104 percent. Auction volume this week included 58 percent weighing over 600 lbs. and 43 percent heifers. AUCTIONS This week Last week Last year 253,700 228,600 225,300 WASHINGTON 2,100. 73 pct over 600 lbs. 38 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 500- 550 lbs. $155.86; 600-650 lbs. $140.20; 650-700 lbs. $128.48; 700-750 lbs. $130.30; 750-800 lbs. $128.38; 850-900 lbs. $118.28. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 500-550 lbs. $143.56; 650-700 lbs. $125.86; 700-750 lbs. $117.52; pkg 775 lbs. $119.50; 850-900 lbs. $115.85. DIRECT This week Last week Last year 153,400 80,100 25,900 SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 300. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Holsteins: Large 3 300 lbs. $115 April Del. NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 2,200. 91 pct over 600 lbs. 26 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 Current Delivered Price 700- 800 lbs. $127-135 Idaho; 800-850 lbs. $124-126 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price 600-650 lbs. $138-145 calves for October-November Oregon. Large 1 Future Delivery Delivered Price 900 lbs. $126 for May-June Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 Current Delivered Price 750-800 lbs. $118.50 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price 550- 600 lbs. $128-131 for October-November Oregon; 600-650 lbs. $135 calves for October-November Oregon. Large 1 950-1000 lbs. $110 for Octo- ber-November Oregon. NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. March 24 This week Last week Last year 2,150 2,950 3,450 Compared to March 17: Feeder cattle steady to $2 higher on fall contracted calves. Trade slow as most interests are waiting for the cattle on feed report due to be released. Demand remains good. The feeder supply included 74 percent steers and 26 percent heifers. Near 91 percent of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or equivalent and with a 5-12 cent slide on calves and a 3-8 cent slide on yearlings. Delivered prices include freight, com- missions and other expenses. Current sales are up to 14 days delivery. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1: Current Delivered Price: 700-800 lbs. $127-135 Idaho; 800-850 lbs. $124-126 Idaho. Future Delivery FOB Price: 600-650 lbs. $138-145 calves for Oc- tober-November Oregon. Large 1: Future Delivery Delivered Price: 900 lbs. $126 for May-June Idaho. Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1: Current Delivered Price: 750-800 lbs. $118.50 Idaho. Fu- ture Delivery FOB Price: 550-600 lbs. $128-131 for October-November Oregon; 600-650 lbs. $135 calves for October-November Oregon. Large 1: 950-1000 lbs. $110 for October-November Ore- gon. NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE (USDA Market News) Oklahoma City, Okla. March 17 Slaughter cattle only lightly traded this week. No trades as of the time of this report for Texas. Limited sales in Kansas were $2 lower. Slaughter cattle in Nebraska though lightly tested were $3-$4 higher live and $5 higher dressed. Boxed Beef prices as of March 24 averaged $218.58 down $.37 from March 17. The Choice/ Select spread is $6.07. Slaughter cattle on a na- tional basis for negotiated cash trades through March 24 totaled about 38,700 head. The previous week’s total head count was 123,872 head. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers: few $134.50. Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers few $215.