April 14, 2017 CapitalPress.com Farm Market Report 13 S PONSORED BY ROP-14-4-4/#7 Hay Market Reports Potato Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • St. Joseph, Mo.-Portland Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA Agricultural Market Service 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 WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY (Columbia Basin) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 7 This week FOB Last week Last year 1,970 9,350 3,730 Compared to March 31: Export and domestic Alfalfa steady. Trade slow to moderate with good demand. Best demand is for cuber ex- port hay. Retail/Feedstore steady. Tons Price Fair/Good 1350 $110 Alfalfa Mid Square Alfalfa Small Square Premium 30 $190 Orchard Grass Small Square Fair/Good 60 $175-180 Timothy Grass Mid Square Fair/Good 500 $130 Timothy Grass Small Square Premium 30 $200 OREGON AREA HAY (USDA Market News) Portland, Ore. April 7 This week FOB Last week Last year 2,042 1,544 1,547 Compared to March 31: 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 400 $125 Small Square Premium 7 $235-240 Orchard Grass Large Square Good 300 $160 Small Square Premium 51 $230-240 EASTERN OREGON Alfalfa Large Square Timothy Grass Large Square KLAMATH BASIN Alfalfa Large Square Small Square Prem./Sup. 60 Premium 500 $140 $120 Fair Premium $150 $170 $160 $100 $170 $200 85 75 44 20 6 25 Fair Fescue Grass Small Square Premium Mixed Grass Small Square Premium HARNEY COUNTY: No new sales confirmed. LAKE COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 67 $210-225 Premium 218 $160-165 Good/Prem. 64 $140 Small Square Premium 60 $85 Meadow Grass Small Square Premium 30 $180 Pea/Barley/Oat/Wheat Large Square Good/Prem. 30 $105 IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 7 This week FOB Last week Last year 200 32,300 4,160 Compared to March 31: Domestic Alfalfa steady in a light test. Trade very slow with good demand as supplies are in firm hands and winter is still around is some places. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Fair/Good 200 $125 CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 7 This week FOB Last week Last year 5,531 2,598 5,960 Compared to March 31: All classes traded steady with moderate demand. According to the NASS Acres Projection Report March 31, California hay acreage for 2017 is projected to be 1,100,000 acres versus 2016 acres of 1,200,000. According the U.S. Drought Monitor, in California, reservoirs are mostly above-average (percent of average reservoir storage values mostly between 100-170 percent), though there are a few excep- tions. One of the more notable exceptions being tracked is the Cachuma Reservoir northwest of Santa Barbara, Calif., which is reporting a Percent of Average Reservoir Storage of 57 percent. Tons Price REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and Plumas. Alfalfa Premium 175 $200 150 $215 Fair 80 $125 Orchard Grass Premium 50 $290-300 Good/Prem. 100 $260 100 $240 REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento. Alfalfa Premium 25 $200 Rice Straw Good 200 $62.50 REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu- olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa. Alfalfa Supreme 650 $225-230 250 $245 Premium 50 $200 Good 100 $110 Fair/Good 25 $215 Fair 50 $185 Forage Mix-Three Way Good 25 $110 REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo. Alfalfa Supreme 325 $225-229 Premium 25 $200 Green Chop Good 0 $35 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 400 $195 Prem./Sup. 600 $180-185 150 $200-205 Premium 1600 $175-180 Good/Prem. 100 $152 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 7 PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY Cash wheat bids for April delivery ended the reporting week on Thursday, April 6, were mixed, compared to March 30 noon bids for April delivery. May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, April 6, mixed as follows compared to March 30 closes: Chicago wheat fu- tures were 2.25 cents higher at $4.2325, Kansas City wheat futures were 2.75 cents higher at $4.20 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 21.75 cents lower at $5.2175. Chicago May corn futures trended 3.25 cents higher at $3.6075 and May soybean futures closed 21.50 cents lower at $9.4150. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during April for ordinary protein trended 2.25 to four compared to week ago prices for the same delivery period at $4.4325-4.80. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby de- livery. White club wheat premiums were zero to 12 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 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: May $4.4325-4.80, June and July $4.46-4.80 and August New Crop $4.5025-4.77. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any pro- tein were as follows: May through August New Crop not available. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 per- cent protein during April trended steady to 2.25 cents per bushel higher compared to week ago price for the same delivery period at $4.4325-4.75. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. 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. One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maxi- mum 10.5 percent protein for April delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $5.38-5.43 and bids for White Club Wheat were also $5.38-5.43. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaran- teed 10.5 percent proteins were as follows: May $4.4325-4.75, June $4.46-4.75 and August New Crop $4.5025-4.70. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: May $5.43-5.55, June $5.4375-5.58, July $5.3375-5.38 and August New Crop $5.1450-5.38. Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for April delivery were mixed, from 7.25 cents lower to 2.75 cents per bushel higher compared to March 30 noon bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Bids were as follows: April and May $5-5.10, June and July $5.08-5.18 and August New Crop $5.0875-5.2375. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North- ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during April were 21.75 to 26.75 cents per bushel lower than March 30 noon bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby de- livery. Bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: April $6.1675-6.5675, May $6.2175-6.5675, June $6.2925-6.5425, July $6.2925-6.4425 and August New Crop $6.5250-6.5750. COARSE FEEDING GRAINS Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific North- west-BNSF shuttle trains for April delivery trended mixed, from 75 cents lower to 2.25 cents higher from $4.3675-4.4175. Forward month corn bids were as follows: May $4.4075-4.4175, June $4.4050-4.4150 and July $4.3850-4.4150. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific North- west-BNSF shuttle trains for April delivery were not available as most exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: May $9.9650-10.0150, Oc- tober $10.3075-10.3575 and November $10.2775-10.3575. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for April delivery trended steady at $3.2650 per bushel. PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS There were 20 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thursday, April 6, with six docked compared to 28 last week with five docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week from the Com- modity Credit Corporation of the USDA. CALIFORNIA GRAINS (USDA Market News) Portland April 6 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 Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.40 Colusa County NA CORN-U.S. No. 2 Yellow FOB Turlock-Tulare $8.33 Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno $7.60 Rail Single Car Units via BNSF Chino Valley-Los Angeles $8.55 Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.64 Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.64 Kern County NA SORGHUM-U.S. No. 2 Yellow Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley via BNSF Single $8.17 OATS-U.S. No. 2 White Truck Petaluma NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock 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 $8.50 Kern County NA Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.85 King-Tulare-Fresno Counties NA Merced County NA Kern County NA Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period end- ing April 6: No confirmed sales. Truck California SHASTA (Shasta Livestock Auction) Cottonwood, Calif. April 7 Current week Last week 1,655 767 Compared to March 24: Good overall sale, but slaughter cows $2-5 lower. Light steers stronger to steady, light heifers steady to $3 lower. Year- lings mixed on low supply. Off lots $25-50 lower than top. Slaughter cows: High yielding $65-69; Med yielding $53-64; Low yielding $40-51. Bulls 1 and 2: $65-89; $90-97 high dress. Feeder steers: 300-400 lbs. $170-205; 400-450 lbs. $175-205; 450-500 lbs. $165-183; 500-550 lbs. $155-180; 550-600 lbs. $139-161; 600-650 lbs. $135-153; 650-700 lbs. $146; 700-750 lbs. $125-140; 750-800 lbs. $128; 800-900 lbs. $120- 125; 900-1,000 lbs. $110-118.50. Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $140-182; 450- 500 lbs. $140-174.50; 500-550 lbs. $130-143; 550-600 lbs. $130-146; 600-650 lbs. $120-136; 650-700 lbs. $120-133; 700-750 lbs. $115-121; 750-800 lbs. $115-123; 800-900 lbs. $115-118. Calvy cows: Few small lots $1,000-1,450. Pairs: Fancy heifer pairs $1,950-2,075; 3-in-1 pairs $2,000-2,475; Full mouth $1,600-2,000 Broken mouth $1,000-1,500. TURLOCK (Turlock Livestock Auction Yard) Turlock, Calif. April 4 Total receipts: 1122 head. Compared to March 31: Light test on calves and yearlings. Weigh cows and bulls steady.. No. 1 medium and large frame steers: 400-499 lbs. $150-172; 500-599 lbs. $140-161; 600-699 lbs. $132-143; 700-799 lbs. $115-127. No. 2 medium and large frame steers: 300-399 lbs. $100-154; 400-499 lbs. $100-149; 500-599 lbs. $100-139; 600-699 lbs. $95-131; 700-799 lbs. $90-114; 800-899 lbs. $75-114. No. 1 medium and large frame heifers: 400-499 lbs. $130-151.50; 500-599 lbs. $125-133; 600- 699 lbs. $120-131; 700-799 lbs. $110-118. No. 2 medium and large frame heifers: 300-399 lbs. $105-134; 400-499 lbs. $100-129; 500-599 lbs. $80-124; 600-699 lbs. $80-119; 700-799 lbs. $75-109; 800-899 lbs. $75-107. No. 1 Holstein steers: 300-399 lbs. $80-100.50; 400-499 lbs. $75-98; 500-599 lbs. $70-87; 600- 699 lbs. $65-85; 700-799 lbs. $65-85; 800-899 lbs. $60-84.50; 900-999 lbs. $60-82. Holstein barren heifers: $60-84. Weigh beef cows: High yielding $64-77; Med yielding $55-63; Low yielding $40-54. Weigh dairy cows: High yielding $64-74; Med yielding $55-63; Low yielding $35-54. Weigh bulls: High yielding $85-97.50; Med yielding $75-84; Low yielding $58-74. Washington TOPPENISH (Toppenish Livestock Auction) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 7 This week Last week Last year 2,200 3,100 1,500 Compared to March 31: Stocker cattle less than 700 lbs. $3-12 higher as grass fever is in full swing. Feeder cattle over 700 lbs. steady to $5 lower. Trade active with good demand and good buyer attendance. Slaughter cows $8-9 higher. Slaughter bulls steady. Trade very active with very good demand. Slaughter cows 67 percent, slaughter bulls 10 percent, and feeders 23 per- cent of the supply. The feeder supply included 63 VALE (Producers Livestock Market) April 5 Total receipts: 923 head. Comments: 400 to 700 weight “ hay fed” grass cattle steady to strong. 700 to 900 weight “fleshy” heavy yearlings $2 to $5 cwt lower. Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $157-172; 400-500 lbs. $151-177; 500-600 lbs. $146-167. Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $141-159; 400-500 lbs. $134-148; 500-600 lbs. $121-139. Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $127-142; 700- 800 lbs. $125-134; 800-900 lbs. $108-120; 900- 1000 lbs. $94-102. Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $114-131; 700- 800 lbs. $110-124; 800-900 lbs. $103-114; 1000 lbs. And up $104-112. Light Holstein steers, 600 lbs. and under: NA. Light Holstein steers, 700 lbs. and over: NA. Stock cows: $750-1000 Pairs: young $1150-1375; older 90-1275. Butcher cows: $64-72. Thin shelly cows: $43-62. Younger heiferettes: $87-105. Butcher bulls: $77-94. WOODBURN (Woodburn Livestock Auction) Woodburn, Ore. April 4 Total receipts: 370. Top 10 slaughter cows $73.42; top 50 slaughter cows $68.61; top 100 slaughter cows $62.01. Back to the country cows: $70. Certified cows: $80-140. Top certified organic cattle: $92. All certified organic cattle average price: $58.44 All slaughter bulls: $53.50 lbs. $86. Top beef steers: 200-300 lbs. $100-130; 500-600 lbs. $125-145; 600-70 lbs. $120-131. Top beef heifers: 300-400 lbs. $120-130; 400-500 lbs. $125-134; 500-600 lbs. $120-132; 600-70 lbs. $110-126. Cow/calf pairs: $74-1325 head. Bred cows: $610-985. Day-old beef cross calves: $125-165 per head. Day-old dairy calves: $27.50-50 per head. Hogs: Block hogs $59-75; feeder pigs $55-65 per head; sows $10-21. Sheep: Lambs 40-70 lbs. $195-235, 75-150 lbs. $180-205; thin ewes $70-160; fleshy ewes $50- 85; ewe/lamb pairs $70-75 head. takes are in fairly good balance with processing needs. Bottling demand is steady. Farmers are dealing with wet conditions along the coast, but fields are drying out nicely farther inland. Wa- ter and forages appear to be in good supply for spring milk production. Idaho, Utah and Colorado contacts report plenty of milk is available. Some additional milk is being shipped in from outside the region to keep cheese plants at full capacity, but manu- facturers report the number of loads is decreas- ing as production builds across the region. Milk production is improving in the areas that were impacted by flooding last month. Fields are drying out and small grains are starting to get planted. Condensed skim production dropped in the Western dairy market as more milk is clearing into nonfat dry milk. Western cream production remains strong this week. A few processors have stopped making butter, but may have to go back to churning after the holidays. Many handlers are turning their cream into cheese and ice cream. Cream premiums in Cali- fornia are about 5 cents. Cream multiples across the West are 1.05 to 1.18. According to the DMN National Retail Re- port-Dairy for the week of March 31-April 6, the national weighted average advertised price for one gallon of milk is $2.68, up 26 cents from last week, but 8 cents lower from a year ago. The weighted average regional price in the Southwest is $2.32, with a price range of $1.89- 2.99. The weighted average regional price in the Northwest is $2.19, with no price range. According to the NASS Dairy Products report, hard ice cream production in the West region for February 2017 is 14.1 million gallons, 4 percent lower than a year ago and 1.6 percent below the previous month. percent steers and 37 percent heifers. Near 72 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. Replace- ment Cows: Pre-tested for pregnancy, and age. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300- 400 lbs. $161; 400-500 lbs. $162; 500-600 lbs. $160.50-170; 600-700 lbs. $154-160; 600-700 lbs. $145-146.50, Full; 700-800 lbs. $128-139; 700-800 lbs. $140-145, Thin Fleshed; 800-900 lbs. $120-125.50. Medium and Large 2-3: 600- 700 lbs. $115; 700-800 lbs. $120.50. Small and Medium 1-2: 600-700 lbs. $134, Fleshy. Feeder Bulls: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-500 lbs. $168. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300- 400 lbs. $152-161; 400-500 lbs. $152-161; 500- 600 lbs. $130-138.50; 600-700 lbs. $133-135; 700-800 lbs. $116-121.50. Medium and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $117.50; 700-800 lbs. $116. Small and Medium 1-2: 400-500 lbs. $143. Slaughter Cows: Breakers 75-80 percent lean 1200-1700 lbs. $68-75; Boners 80-85 percent lean 1500-1900 lbs. $68-74; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1400-1800 lbs. $69-73; Lean Light 90 per- cent lean 900-1250 lbs. $55-63. Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1500-2550 lbs. $80.50-87. First Calf Heifers Cow/Calf Pairs (Per Pair): Medium and Large 1-2: 900-1000 lbs. 1475-1750 with 100-150 lbs. calves. Oregon Dairy Report Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Madison FLUID MILK AND CREAM REVIEW – WEST (USDA Market News) Madison, Wis. April 6 California milk production is quickly increasing this week. Their spring flush is finally here after being delayed by recent rains. Some industry contacts believe that milk production will contin- ue to improve during coming weeks. There are adequate supplies of farm milk to meet process- ing needs. Bottled milk demand is steady. Milk intakes into Class II is increasing in preparation for the holidays. The March 4a price (butter/powder) in Cali- fornia is $13.96, down $1.44 from the previous month, but $1.55 higher from a year ago. This compares to the Federal Order Class IV price of $14.32 for March. The March 4b price (cheese) is $13.76, down $2.05 from the previous month, but $0.52 above a year ago. This compares to the Federal Order Class III price for March at $15.81. According to CDFA, April 2017 Class 1 prices in California are $16.76 in the north and $17.04 in the south. The statewide average Class 1 price based on production is $16.78. This price is down $1.85 from the previous month, but $1.51 higher than a year ago. Currently, New Mexico milk production con- tinues to increase steadily. Total production is up by a few loads. A small number of cheese factories continue to have minor issues, which slightly decreased their milk intakes into Class III. Other manufacturing plants are taking addi- tional loads to help clear milk supplies. Class I sales are down, but Class II sales are up. Some contacts report that surplus sales to out-of-state manufacturers are slightly higher. Milk production in the Pacific Northwest is slowly growing. Industry contacts report milk in- SHIPPING AREA FWA Chg IDAHO BURBANKS $11.21 $0.33 IDAHO NORKOTAHS $10.60 $0.14 Columbia Basin $12.70 $0.59 GRI Chg 70 ct Chg 10 lb. Film Chg $4.47 $0.20 $19 $1 $6 $0 $4.01 $0.11 $17.50 $0.50 $6 $0 $5.40 $0.37 $19 $1 $7.50 $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 7 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was very slow this week. There were 56,532 pounds of confirmed trades reported. Sheering in a portion of the territory states was stalled this past week due to weather. It is estimated that overall sheer- ing crews are still about 5-7 days behind schedule due to weather delays. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was active this week. There were 205,013 pounds of confirmed trades reported. All trades reported on a weighted average. Fleece States Ewe Wool: 68-72mm 26 micron $1.62. Yearling Wool: 70-75mm 20 micron $2.13; 70-75mm 21 micron $1.97. Lamb Wool: 65-70mm 22 micron $1.46; 60-65mm 25 micron 1.17; 60- 70mm 26 micron 1.05. Territory States Lamb Wool: 60-65mm 20 mi- cron $1.53; 65-70mm 21 micron $1.54; 65-70mm 22 micron $1.51; 60-70mm 23 micron $1.43; 55-60mm 24 micron $1.09; 60-65mm 26 micron $1.01; 55-65mm 30 micron $.80. 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 7 Compared to March 31: Slaughter lambs were $5-10 lower, except at Sioux Falls, S.D., steady to $5 higher. Slaughter ewes were weak to $10 lower. Feeder lambs were weak to $10 lower. At San Angelo, Texas, 5,201 head sold. No sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct trading slaugh- ter ewes were not tested and no comparison on feeder lambs. 5,400 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady. 4,828 lamb car- casses sold with 55 lbs. and down no trend due to confidentiality; 55-75 lbs. $1.63-2.91 higher; 75- 85 lbs. $5.26 lower and 85 lbs. and up no trend due to confidentiality. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3: San Angelo: Shorn and wooled 110-185 lbs. $128-144. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $222-238; 60-70 lbs. $216-230; 70-80 lbs. $210-228, few 232; 80-90 lbs. $200-222; 90-110 lbs. $196-216, few $224. DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent): 5,400 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 128- 180 lbs. $142-169 (wtd avg $151.02). California: 9,200 Feeder Lambs 95-105 lbs. $202; 120 lbs. $180-190. SLAUGHTER EWES: San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $69-74; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $78-88; Utility 1-2 (thin) $70-80; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $60- 64; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $35-52. FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: 50-60 lbs. $218-226; 60-90 lbs. $202-226. REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: hair ewe lambs 90 lbs. $228 cwt, 102 lbs. $185 cwt; baby tooth hair ewes $164- 191 per head; mixed age hair ewes 90-140 lbs. $100-145 cwt. NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice and Prime 1-4: Weight Wtd. avg. 45 lbs. and down Price not reported due to confidentiality 45-55 lbs. 391.72 55-65 lbs. $335.64 65-75 lbs. $294.22 75-85 lbs. Price not reported due to confidentiality 85 lbs. and up $268.99 Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in- spection for the week to date totaled 48,000 com- pared with 43,000 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 7 Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are unchanged for Jumbo, Extra Large and Large and 20 cents lower for Medium and Small. Trade sentiment is lower on all sizes. Offerings are moderate. Supplies are moderate to heavy. Retail demand is moderate. Warehouse buying interest is hand-to-mouth as a lower undertone is projected and buyers anticipate lower prices. Market activity is slow. Small benchmark price 96 cents. Size Range Size Range Jumbo 140 Extra large 144 Large 136 Medium 116 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 135-148 Extra large 135-139 Large 121-130 Medium 97-108 Cattle Market Reports Livestock Auctions Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair or head as indicated. 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) April 8 Market commentary: Russet count carton prices continue to advance, boosting grower returns. 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 Oregon head as indicated. NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE (Federal-State Market News) St. Joseph, Mo. April 7 This week Last week Last year 265,600 311,300 295,900 Compared to March 30: Feeder steers and heif- ers sold mostly steady to $7.00 lower, with some instances $1.00-5.00 higher. Feeder steers and heifers in the southeast traded mostly steady to $3 lower. Demand was moderate to good for all weight classes. The higher prices were generally noted on limited supply of weaned calves suitable for graz- ing and heavy yearlings with less time expected in the feedlot as they are hoping to cash in before slaughter prices fall. In Bassett, Neb., on April 5 a load of 780 lb. replacement heifers sold for $161 to be bred this summer for next year’s calving season and over 600 head of 650-700 lb. steers averaging 681 lbs. sold at a weighted average price of $155.74 and 570 head averaging 718 lbs. sold at a weighted average price of $150.33. Valentine, Neb., sold a pot load of steer calves weighing 560 lbs. bring $194.00. To a certain extent, other parts of the region also saw similar trends. The fed cattle ex- change on April 5 had over 3500 head on offer, but no cattle sold as consignors passed on bids. Packers and feedlot operators are now at a standoff with trade yet to fully develop for the week at press time. Many throughout the Plains and Mid- west saw a much needed spring rain and cooler temperatures, which curtailed receipts in most of the affected areas. Un-weaned fall calves are starting to make their way to the market and buyers are quick to place discounts, especially if they are too fleshy. The unseasonably warm temperatures have cattle gaining at a rapid pace and adding flesh condition effortlessly. Producers are slowly changing their attention to calving, and with the weather improv- ing for the next several days, field work and spring planting is in the near distance. Auction volume this week included 56 percent weighing over 600 lbs. and 43 percent heifers. AUCTIONS This week Last week Last year 209,400 212,700 240,900 WASHINGTON 2,800. 71 pct over 600 lbs. 42 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 550- 600 lbs. $158.13; 600-650 lbs. $144.26; 650-700 lbs. $153.26; 700-750 lbs. $136.59; 800-850 lbs. $125.89; 850-900 lbs. $121.66. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 450-500 lbs. $146.07; 550-600 lbs. $133.16; 600-650 lbs. $131.93; 650-700 lbs. $128.49; 700-750 lbs. $118.53; 750-800 lbs. $120.18. DIRECT This week Last week Last year 50,800 66,200 41,100 SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 600. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Holsteins: Large 3 300 lbs. $105 July-August Del. NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 1,900. 40 pct over 600 lbs. 41 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 Future Delivery FOB Price 500-550 lbs. $160 for October-November Ore- gon-Idaho; 550-600 lbs. $139-145 for October-No- vember Oregon-Idaho; 600-700 lbs. $137-149 calves for October-December Oregon-Idaho 750- 800 lbs. $124 calves for December. Oregon-Ida- ho. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1 Future Delivery FOB Price: 500-550 lbs. $131-145 for October-November Oregon-Idaho; 550-600 lbs. $120.50-128 October-December Oregon-Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $116 calves December Oregon-Ida- ho. NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE (USDA Market News) Oklahoma City, Okla. April 7 Slaughter cattle lightly traded this week live mostly $4-5 lower. Dressed cattle in Nebraska though lightly tested were $8-10 lower. Boxed Beef prices as of April 7 averaged $202.36 down $6.70 from March 30. The Choice/Select spread is $9.73. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through April 7 totaled about 53,480 head. The previous week’s total head count was 88,636 head. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers: few $128-130. Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers few $196-200. South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers few $128. Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls $2 lower in Ala- bama, remainder steady to $3 higher. Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value April 7 was $171.44 down $.03 from March 30. NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 7 This week Last week Last year 1,900 2,150 300 Compared to last week, feeder cattle steady to weak on fall contracted calves. Trade slow. CME positions remain volatile this week as cash cattle has yet to fully develop. Demand remains good. The feeder supply included 59 percent steers and 41 percent heifers. Near 40 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. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1: Future De- livery FOB Price: 500-550 lbs. 160 for October-No- vember Oregon-Idaho; 550-600 lbs. $139-145 for October-November Oregon-Idaho; 600-700 lbs. $137-149 calves for October-December Ore- gon-Idaho 750-800 lbs. $124 calves for December. Oregon-Idaho. Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1: Future Delivery FOB Price: 500-550 lbs. $131-145 for October-November Oregon-Idaho; 550-600 lbs. $120.50-128 October-December Oregon-Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $116 calves December Oregon-Ida- ho.