16 CapitalPress.com
April 3, 2015
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 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.
March 27
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
1,320
2,425
6,370
Compared to March 20: Supreme and Premium Export Alfalfa
not tested this week. Fair/Good dry cow and feeder hay $10 lower
in a light test. Trade very slow for domestic and export markets.
Most interests are waiting for new crop. Demand remains good for
higher testing supplies of Alfalfa and wheat straw, light demand for
dry cow and feeder supplies. Retail/Feedstore hay steady. Demand
remains good.
Tons Price
Fair/Good 500
$155-160
Alfalfa Large Square
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
155
$250-260
Timothy Grass Large Square Fair/Good 575
$120-130
Timothy Grass Small Square Good
90
$200
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
March 27
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
2,873
2,128
481
Compared to March 20: Prices trended generally steady compared
to the same quality last week. Trade activity and demand increased
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 animals out on pasture rather than pur-
chase and feed additional hay. Few containers available at the ship-
ping ports has slowed down the ability to export hay overseas. Several
producers have sold all that they plan to sell for this season.
Tons Price
EASTERN OREGON
Good
1000 $150
Alfalfa Large Square
Triticale Large Square
Good
56
$125
KLAMATH BASIN
Premium
180
$200
Alfalfa Large Square
Small Square
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Small Square
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Small Square
Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA
Agricultural Market Service
Good
Good
25
26
$180
$210
Good/Prem. 45
$230
Supreme
Premium
Good
Supreme
Premium
$250-270
$235
$170-175
$250
$200-220
$220
$150
$150
$140-150
472
635
74
54
65
30
30
30
121
Fair/Good
Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square Premium
Triticale Large Square
Premium
Forage Mix-Three Way
Large Square
Premium
30
$165
Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Wasco Counties: No new sales
confirmed.
HARNEY COUNTY: No sales confirmed.
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
March 27
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
10,250
3,900
6,000
Compared to March 20: Premium/Supreme Alfalfa sharply higher
this week on improved demand. Fair/Good Feeder quality Alfalfa
steady. Trade moderate to active this week. Demand turned good
for higher testing supplies. Due to drought conditions in Nevada,
more Idaho hay is being shipped there. Exporters reporting they are
being able to ship more hay oversees now. Retail/feed store/horse
not tested this week.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Large Square
Prem./Sup. 8300 $195-200
Fair/Good 500
$120
Utility
1200 $80
Oat Large Square
Fair/Good 250
$85
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
March 20
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
8,820
5,943
11,925
Compared to March 20: All classes traded weak on light demand
and on light tests. Milk prices remained in the mid-teens, which af-
fected the demand from dairies for test hay. According to the U.S.
Drought Monitor, the overall trend toward drought persistence or in-
tensification prevailed, with relief confined to a few scattered locales
in the Four Corners Region and southeastern California. The West
continues to cope with much-above-normal temperatures, further
depleting already-dire snowpacks and reducing spring runoff pros-
pects over much of the region.
REGION 1: North Inter-Mountain
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen and
Plumas.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Premium
100
$220
Good
75
$305
100
$185
Prairie Grass
Premium
60
$300
Forage Mix-Three Way
Premium
125
$240
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 Cubes
Good
50
$280
REGION 3: Northern San Joaquin Valley
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Supreme
50
$290
REGION 4: Central San Joaquin Valley
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Premium
100
$275 Del
Grass
Premium
100
$250
REGION 5: Southern California
Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West-
ern San Bernardino.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Premium
1050 $232.50-
240
Forage Mix-Three Way
Premium
75
$240
REGION 6: Southeast California
Alfalfa
Supreme
54
$218
150
$235-240
Prem./Sup. 90
$215
90
$215
Premium
500
$210
291
$210-220
628
$205-214
400
$190
437
$210-230
Good/Prem. 2100 $196-200
300
$160
50
$210-220
100
$180
Good
50
$165
70
$145
Utility
175
$110
Utility/Fair 1200 $130
Bermuda Grass
Premium
75
$200
Good/Prem. 75
$210
$180
Good
25
Teff
Premium
75
$220
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
March 27
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for March delivery ended the reporting week
on Thursday, March 26 lower, compared to March 19 noon bids for
March delivery.
May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, March
26, lower follows compared to March 19 closes: Chicago May wheat
futures 12.75 cents lower at $4.9925, Kansas City 7.25 cents lower
at $5.43 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 9.50 cents lower
at $5.6325. Chicago May corn futures trended 17.75 cents higher
at $3.9125 while May soybean futures closed 12.75 cents higher
at $9.7450.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during March for ordinary protein were 10 to 12.75
cents per bushel lower from $6.15-6.3925, mostly $6.2725 com-
pared to March 19 noon bids for March delivery of $6.25-6.52, most-
ly $6.3850. White club wheat premiums for ordinary protein nearby
delivery were $2.40 for this week compared to $2.40 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 $7.6175-
7.85, mostly $7.7350 and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.1175-
8.35, mostly $8.2350.
Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White wheat ordinary protein started
the reporting week on March 20 at mostly $6.4750, then moved
higher to mostly $6.4950 on March 23 before dropping lower on
March 24 to mostly $6.4425 and continuing lower to March 25 to
mostly $6.42. March 26, bids moved lower to mostly $6.2725.
Several exporters are not issuing bids for nearby delivery. For-
ward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as fol-
lows: April and May $6.15-6.3925, June not available and August
New Crop $6.0425-6.30. One year ago, forward month bids for soft
white wheat for any protein were as follows: April $7.5175-7.85, May
$7.4675-7.85, June $7.5125-7.6125 and August New Crop $7.3375-
7.5375.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5
percent protein during March trended 12 to 22.75 cents per bushel
lower from $6.8925-7.25, mostly $7.0625 per bushel compared to
last week ranging from $7.12-7.37, mostly $7.2825. The white club
wheat premiums for guaranteed 10.5 percent protein this week were
$2 to $2.40, mostly $2.24 compared to the previous week’s from $2
to $2.40, mostly $2.24.
Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent
protein began the week on March 20 at mostly $7.40, then moved
fractionally higher to mostly $7.4050 before dropping lower to mostly
$7.2650 on March 24 and then to mostly $7.22 on March 25. March
26 bids were lower at mostly $7.0625. Forward month bids for soft
white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent protein were as follows: April
$6.8925-7.25, May $6.8925-7.36, June $6.7975-7.39 and August
New Crop $6.0425-6.48.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
March delivery were $7.25 cents per bushel lower compared to
March 19 noon bids. On March 26, bids were as follows: March
$6.43-6.63, mostly $6.53; April $6.43-6.68; May $6.43-6.73; June
$6.6375-6.6875 and August New Crop $6.40-6.55.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery for March delivery were 9.50
cents per bushel lower compared to March 19 noon bids in lining
up with the higher Minneapolis May wheat futures. On March 26,
bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: March
8.2325-8.8825, mostly 8.7325; April and May 8.2325-8.8825; June
$7.94-8.99 and August New Crop $7.0175-7.2675.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific Northwest
— BN 110 car shuttle trains for March delivery were $4.9125-4.9725
per bushel. Forward month corn bids for April were $4.8125-4.8525,
May were $4.8325-4.8525, June/July were $4.9975-5.0575 and
October and November were $4.9975-5.0575. Bids for U.S. 1 Yel-
low Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific Northwest - BN 110 car
shuttle trains for March delivery were $10.7450 per bushel. For-
ward month soybean bids for April were $10.5450-10.6450, May
were $10.5450, September were $10.5025-10.5225, October were
$10.5025-10.5525 and November were $10.5125-10.5425. Bids for
U.S. 2 Heavy Wheat Oats for March delivery held steady at $3.8475
per bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
There were 11 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thursday,
March 26, with three docked compared to 10 last Thursday with four
docked. There were no new confirmed Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion sales for Pacific Northwest loadout.
CALIFORNIA GRAINS
(USDA Market News)
Portland
March 26
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)
Rail
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
$12
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $12
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
Madera County
NA
Kern County
NA
Glenn County
NA
Colusa County
NA
Solano County
NA
CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
FOB Turlock
$9.22
FOB Tulare
$9.22
Rail
Single Car Units via BNSF
Chino Valley-Los Angeles
$9.81
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $9.52
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
NA
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Rail
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
via BNSF Single
$11.27
Truck
Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
NA
OATS - U.S. No. 1 White
Truck
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
$15.60
OATS - U.S. No. 2 White
Truck
Petaluma
NA
Rail
Petaluma
NA
WHEAT - U.S. No. 2 or better - Hard Red Winter
(Domestic Values for Flour Milling)
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
$13.02
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein
$13.22
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein
$13.42
Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
$12.05
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
Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley
$12.30-13.15
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
King-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
Merced County
NA
Colusa County
NA
Kern County
NA
Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period end-
ing March 26: No confirmed sales.
Livestock Auctions
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.)
except some replacement animals per pair or
head as indicated.
3050.
Broken mouth pairs $1685-2200.
Calvy cows: No test.
California
Idaho
SHASTA
(Shasta Livestock Auction)
Cottonwood, Calif.
March 27
Current week Last week
604
1,045
Compared to March 20: Slaughter cows and
bulls $4-5 lower. No big numbers in any cate-
gory. Steers outnumber heifers 2 to 1. Market
mixed compared to last week. Off lots and sin-
gles $25-50 lower than top offerings.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $101-107, $108-
117 high dress; Boning $95-100; Cutters $85-96.
Bulls 1 and 2: $105-122; $123-127 high dress.
Feeder steers: 300-400 lbs. $305; 400-450
lbs. $307.50; 450-500 lbs. $272.50-317.50;
500-550 lbs. $267-276; 550-600 lbs. $246-274;
650-700 lbs. $232-247; 700-750 lbs. $219; 800-
900 lbs. $215
Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $292-310; 400-
450 lbs. $267-295; 500-550 lbs. $240-250;
550-600 lbs. $222-242.50; 600-650 lbs. $220;
750-800 lbs. $202.
Pairs: Couple sets of full mouth pairs $3000-
CALDWELL
(Treasure Valley Livestock)
March 27
Steers: 300-400 lbs. $302.50; 400-500 lbs.
$246.25; 500-600 lbs. $219.75; 600-700 lbs.
$195.75; 700-800 lbs. $190.75; 800-900 lbs.
$157.25; 900-1000 lbs. $153.25; 1000 lbs. and
up $138.75.
Heifers: 200-300 lbs. $300; 300-400 lbs.
$273.50; 400-500 lbs. $230; 121 lbs. $212.25;
600-700 lbs. $204.50; 700-800 lbs. $161.25; 800-
900 lbs. $147.25; 900-1000 lbs. $125; 1000 lbs.
and up $106.25.
Cows (wt.): 700-800 lbs. $94.75; 800-900 lbs.
$94; 900-1000 lbs. $90.75; 1000-1100 lbs. $94;
1100-1200 lbs. $103.50; 1200-1300 lbs. $100.50;
1300-1400 lbs. $99.25; 1400-1500 lbs. $103.75;
1500-1600 lbs. $100.75; 1600-1700 lbs. $102.75.
Bull calves (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $131.75; 400-
500 lbs. $190.25; 500-600 lbs. $172.75; 600-700
lbs. $180.25; 700-800 lbs. $192.25; 800-900 lbs.
$91; 1100-1200 lbs. $109; 1200-1300 lbs. $115;
1400-1500 lbs. $119.
Bulls (wt.): 1500-1600 lbs. $113; 1600-1700
lbs. $117; 1700-1800 lbs. $127.75; 2000-2100
lbs. $130; 2100-2200 lbs. $128.
Pairs (hd.): 1000 lbs. and up $1825.
Bred heifers (hd.): 800 lbs. and up $1400.
Stock cows (hd.): 800 lbs. and up $1650.
Bull calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $630; 200-300
lbs. $770.
Heifer calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $505; 200-300
lbs. $620; 300-400 lbs. $670.
Steer calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $325; 200-300
lbs. $415; 300-400 lbs. $601; 400-500 lbs. $815.
Washington
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
March 27
This week
Last week
Last year
1,650
1,550
1,425
Compared to March 20 at the same market:
Stocker and feeder cattle steady to $10 higher.
Majority of feeder cattle offered this week were
hay wintered. Trade active with very good de-
mand and good buyer attendance. Slaughter
cows $4-8 higher. Slaughter bulls steady, due
in part to improved demand for the raw product.
Trade active with very good demand. Slaughter
cows 53 percent, Slaughter bulls 5 percent, and
feeders 42 percent of the supply. The feeder
supply included 54 percent steers and 46 per-
cent heifers. Near 52 percent of the run weighed
over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300-
400 lbs. $302.50; 500-600 lbs. $270-279; 500-
600 lbs. $286-288.50, Thin Fleshed; 600-700
lbs. $234-236; 600-700 lbs. $265, Thin Fleshed;
700-800 lbs. $207-211.50; 700-800 lbs. $237-
243.50, Thin Fleshed; 800-900 lbs. $180-189.
Feeder Holstein Steers: Large 2-3: 300-400 lbs.
$232.50-235; 500-600 lbs. $200.
Feeder Bulls: Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400
lbs. $315; 500-600 lbs. $238; 700-800 lbs. $200.
Large 2-3: 100-200 lbs. $500, Per Head; 200-300
lbs. $600, Per Head.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400
lbs. $277.50-296; 400-500 lbs. $263-269; 500-600
lbs. $247-255; 600-700 lbs. $244-245.50; 600-700
lbs. $230, Full; 700-800 lbs. $206-207.50. Large
1-2: 1100-1200 lbs. $146.50. Small and Medium
1-2: 400-500 lbs. $242.50; 500-600 lbs. $243.50.
Slaughter Cows:
Boning 80-85 percent lean 1200-2000 lbs. $98-
104; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1000-1600 lbs. $97-
103; Lean 90 percent lean 900-1300 lbs. $82-89.
Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1200-2100 lbs.
$126-134.
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
March 27
Compared to March 20: No direct cattle traded
at time of report. Boxed beef prices March 27
noon averaged $248.53 that is $4.63 higher than
March 20. The Choice/Select spread is $3.81.
Slaughter cattle on a national basis for nego-
tiated cash trades through March 27 at noon
totaled about 1,100 head. The previous week’s
total head count was 79,631 head.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls sold mostly
steady to $1 higher. USDA’s Cutter cow carcass
cut-out value March 27 at noon was $231.81 up
$.70 from March 20.
NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
St. Joseph, Mo.
March 27
This week
Last week
Last year
270,800
323,400
330,100
Compared to March 20: Yearling feeder cat-
tle traded firm to $5 higher with instances $6-8
higher. Direct sales were active this week and
posted the full advance on feeder cattle. Steer
and heifer calves sold mostly steady to $5 high-
er. Buyers flexed their muscle in pursuing all
classes of feeder cattle this week. The South-
ern Plains received rain and warm weather to
help improve wheat crop conditions, and boost
summer grazing interest on very good buyer de-
mand. With “grass fever” in full swing following
the higher temperatures, market signals from
late last week started finding confidence as
most major sale barns noticed higher prices as
farmer feeders and local backgrounders entered
the mix.
Cattle feeding can be frustrating at times with
expensive overhead, fluctuations in feed prices
and volatile market prices but grazing cattle on
grass can be just as satisfying and rewarding.
Inexpensive growth and gains are what back-
grounders receive on pasture and what moti-
vates cattlemen and farmer feeders to assemble
their stockers each year.
At the St. Joseph Stockyards on March 25 sold
a string of 105 head of fancy black steers weigh-
ing 828 lbs. settled on a bid of $234 with a part
load of lighter steer mates in thin condition weigh-
ing 710 lbs. dropping the gavel at $266. Demand
continues to remain very good for popular weight
steer calves weighing 400-650 lbs., with many
areas selling 500-550 lb. steer calves selling near
or above the $3/lb. level.
Cattle futures busted out of the gate on March
21 with sharp triple-digit gains after the fat cattle
market closed $2-3 higher March 20 with most
live prices trading from $163-165. Open inter-
est for Live and Feeder cattle contracts has in-
creased with this rally. Live and feeder cattle mar-
kets are starting to see prices that many analysts
thought we might not see for a while or so soon.
Cattle feeders are finding confidence with tight
supplies and seeing some bullish momentum on
the board as boxed beef prices received a shot in
the arm at midweek with sharp gains as Choice
product closed above $250. This week’s reported
auction volume included 56 percent over 600 lbs.
and 41 percent heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
215,800
265,700
224,300
WASHINGTON 1,900. 57 pct over 600 lbs. 47
pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 600-
650 lbs. $234.56; 750-800 lbs. $211.07. Heifers:
Medium and Large 1-2 550-600 lbs. $252.75; half
load 620 lbs. $244; 650-700 lbs. $239.96.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
52,600
32,100
70,600
SOUTHWEST
(Arizona-California-Nevada)
6,700. 9 pct over 600 lbs. No heifers. Holsteins:
Large 3 275 lbs. $295 July Del; 300 lbs. $2650-
270 July Del; 325 lbs. $283 current Del; 325 lbs.
$282-286.50 April Del; 700 lbs. $163 April Del.
NORTHWEST
(Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
4000. 98 pct over 600 lbs. 35 pct heifers. Steers:
Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 700
lbs. $226 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $190-193 Washing-
ton-Oregon. Current Delivered Price 800-900 lbs.
$197-206 Idaho; 900-950 lbs. $190 Idaho; 900
lbs. $206 value added Idaho. Future FOB Price
600-700 lbs. $220-240 calves for November-De-
cember Idaho. Heifers: Current FOB Price 650-
700 lbs. $210-211 Washington-Oregon; 800 lbs.
$190-191 Washington-Oregon. Current Delivered
Price 800-850 lbs. $186-196 Idaho. Future FOB
Price 550-600 lbs. $240 for November Idaho.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
March 27
This week
Last week
Last year
4,000
3,100
4,750
Compared to March 20: Feeder feeder cattle
$1-6 higher. Trade remains slow to moderate with
good demand. The feeder supply included 65 per-
cent steers and 35 percent heifers. Near 98 per-
cent of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices
are FOB weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink
or equivalent and with a 5-10 cent slide on calves
and a 3-8 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 FOB
Price: 700 lbs. $226 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $190-
193 Washington-Oregon. Current Delivered
Price: 800-900 lbs. $197-206 Idaho; 900-950 lbs.
$190 Idaho; 900 lbs. $206 value added Idaho.
Future FOB Price: 600-700 lbs. $220-240 calves
for November-December Idaho.
Heifers: Current FOB Price: 650-700 lbs. $210-
211 Washington-Oregon; 800 lbs. $190-191
Washington-Oregon; Current Delivered Price:
800-850 lbs. $186-196 Idaho. Future FOB Price:
550-600 lbs. $240 for November Idaho.
Replacement Heifers (Per Head): Medium and
Large 1-2: Current FOB: 700 lbs. $1800 Idaho.
Bred Heifers (Per Head): Future Delivery FOB
Price: 1050 lbs. $2250 for October Idaho 1-3 mos.
bred.
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 28
Market Commentary: Russet consumer bag prices remain under pressure, while prices for 40-70 count
cartons are moving up.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$12.23
$0.06
$5.25
$0.04
$27
$1.50
$5.50
-$0.50
IDAHO NORKOTAH
$11.98
-$0.18
$5.24
-$0.13
$25.50
$0
$5.50
-$0.50
COLUMBIA BASIN
$13.50
$0.03
$5.87
$0.02
$23
$1
$6.50
-$0.50
KLAMATH BASIN
$14.47
$0
$6.19
$0
$23.50
$0
$8
$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.
March 27
Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was at
a standstill this week and there were no confirmed
trades. Shearing has become widespread, espe-
cially across the Western states. Storms in the
early part of the month caused a lot of shearing
to be put on hold while they passed through. The
recent warmer weather has now allowed shearing
to begin again. Shearing will continue to be heavy
over the next several weeks, but a majority of the
producers say they are at least a week to two
weeks behind their normal schedule. Domestic
wool trading on a greasy basis was at a standstill
this week and there were no confirmed trades.
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 5
Compared to March 20: Light slaughter lambs
were $10-50 lower; heavy slaughter lambs were
steady to $5 lower. Slaughter ewes were uneven,
mostly steady to $5 lower. Feeder lambs were $5-
20 lower. At San Angelo, Texas, 2,546 head sold
in a weather shortened sale. Equity Electronic
Auction sold 375 slaughter lambs in Oregon. In
direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs
were not tested. 5,100 head of negotiated sales of
slaughter lambs were steady to $3 lower. 11,600
head of formula sales under 65 lbs. were not well
tested; 65-75 lbs. were $10 to $12 lower; 75-85
lbs. were $5 to $8 higher; 85-95 lbs. were steady
to $1 lower; over 95 lbs. were $5 to $7 lower.
6,711 lamb carcasses sold with 45 lbs. and down
$28.32 lower; 45-65 lbs. $3.61 to $4.85 higher;
65-75 lbs. $.23 higher; and 75 lbs. and heavier
$.23 to $.63 lower.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:
San Angelo: shorn and wooled 110-145 lbs.
$130-139; 150-185 lbs. $122-129.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:
San Angelo: 30-40 lbs. $220-232; 40-60 lbs.
$216-226; 60-70 lbs. $200-214; 70-80 lbs. $195-
206; 80-90 lbs. $190-200; 90-105 lbs. $160-190.
DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent
shrink or equivalent):
5100: Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 128-
166 lbs. $127.39-163.10 (wtd avg $141.99).
SLAUGHTER EWES:
San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) 83-85; Utility and
Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $88-100, few $106-110;
Utility 1-2 (thin) $80-87; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very
thin) $70-72; Cull 1 (extremely thin) no test.
FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: new crop 45-65 lbs. $191-202;
70-80 lbs. $184-193; 80-85 lbs. $174-180; 93 lbs.
$175. old crop 79 lbs. $170; 88 lbs. $161.
REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large
1-2:
San Angelo: no test.
NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice
and Prime 1-4:
Weight
Wtd. avg.
45 lbs. down
$520.77
45-55 lbs.
$408.83
55-65 lbs.
$348.97
65-75 lbs.
$323.04
75-85 lbs.
$308.41
85 lbs. and up
$295.11
Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in-
spection for the week to date totaled 46,000 com-
pared with 42,000 last week and 43,000 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 27
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 5 cents higher for Large and unchanged
on all other sizes. The undertone is steady. Offerings and supplies are light to mostly moderate. Demand
is usually moderate. Market activity is slow. Small benchmark price $1.63.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
242
Extra large
233
Large
227
Medium
183
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
234-246
Extra large
214-226
Large
212-221
Medium
163-172
Amid bird flu
outbreak, Minn.
turkey farmers
increase security
By STEVE KARNOWSKI
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS
(AP)
— Poultry producers in the
nation’s top turkey state are
taking extra steps to protect
their flocks after a devas-
tating strain of bird flu was
confirmed at two Minnesota
farms in as many days last
week, a disease that had al-
ready slammed the doors shut
on some key export markets.
Most producers in the
state’s $750 million indus-
try were already strict about
day-to-day biosecurity to
try to ensure that no bird flu
enters or leaves their barns,
but they’re redoubling their
efforts. The confirmation
Saturday of the highly patho-
genic H5N2 strain of avian
influenza at a turkey farm
in Stearns County, the third
outbreak at a Minnesota farm
this month, raised the stakes
because it’s one of the top
poultry producing counties in
the state. The first two farms
were relatively isolated.
Poultry farms are now
scrubbing down truck tires
with disinfectant on their way
on and off farms, and some
operators are using dedicated
employees and equipment for
each individual barn on their
property to cut the chances of
spreading the flu from build-
ing to building, said Steve
Olson, executive director of
both the Minnesota Turkey
Growers Association and the
Chicken and Egg Association
of Minnesota. If a barn needs
service such as electrical
work, he said, owners may
wait until things settle down.
“Pins and needles,” is how
Olson described farmers’
moods Monday. Saturday’s
announcement followed Fri-
day’s confirmation at a farm
in Lac qui Parle County near
the western border. The three
outbreaks together killed
tens of thousands of turkeys
directly, and forced the farm
owners to kill tens of thou-
sands more to prevent any
spread.
Nobody has figured out
yet how the virus got into any
of the affected barns, said Dr.
Carol Cardona, a bird flu ex-
pert at the University of Min-
nesota.
Most U.S. turkeys and
chickens spend their entire
lives indoors to keep them
away from waterfowl and
other wild birds that could
introduce diseases. Migra-
tory ducks and geese don’t
normally become sick from
bird flu, but they’re a natural
reservoir and can spread the
viruses via their droppings.
That’s why commercial
farms typically require ev-
eryone entering barns to don
protective coveralls and even
make them shower on their
way in and out.
Cardona said biosecurity
doesn’t always work because
it depends on everyone doing
everything right all the time.
“Biosecurity is very de-
pendent on human behavior.
It’s not a perfect science,”
Cardona said.