16 CapitalPress.com
April 10, 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
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
April 3
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
2,180
2,873
845
Compared to March 27: Prices trended generally steady com-
pared to the same quality last week. Trade activity and demand
slowed 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 purchase and feed additional hay. Export hay business seems
to slowly be picking up, however continued issues with few con-
tainers available and backup of containers needing to be loaded at
the shipping ports continues to slow down the ability to export hay
overseas. Several producers have sold all that they plan to sell for
this season.
Tons Price
CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES
Good/Prem. 60
$200
Alfalfa Large Square
Small Square
Premium
12
$250
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small
Premium
21
$270
Square
Orchard Grass Large Square Premium
60
$250
Small Square
Premium
10
$250
EASTERN OREGON
Alfalfa Large Square
Prem./Sup. 60
$220
HARNEY COUNTY
Good
60
$140
Oat Large Square
KLAMATH BASIN
Alfalfa Small Square
Good/Prem. 50
$230
Good
106
$200-220
Oat Small Square
Good
100
$140
LAKE COUNTY
Supreme
92
$150-270
Alfalfa Large Square
210
$220
Small Square
Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square
Forage Mix-Three Way
Large Square
Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA
Agricultural Market Service
Premium
Good
Fair/Good
Prem./Sup.
Good/Prem.
Premium
500
105
274
90
30
30
60
$275
$220
$160-180
$150
$240
$200
$150
Premium
65
$170
Good
156
$150
Oat Straw Large Square
Utility
29
$55
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 3
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
12,725
8,820
6,435
Compared to March 27: All classes traded moderate on moderate
demand. Milk prices remained in the mid-teens, which affected the
demand from dairies for test hay. According to John Maday from
Drovers Cattle Network, water restrictions, which will affect resi-
dential, business and agricultural water use, aim to reduce state-
wide use by 25 percent, or 1.5 million acre-feet over the next nine
months. The water restrictions do not affect the oil industry, but with
a 6 percent snowpack for the state time will tell what other restric-
tions take effect. Reports of aphid infestations have been affecting
yields in region 6. Prices reported FOB at the stack or barn unless
otherwise noted.
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
Fair/Good 50
$180 1
REGION 3: Northern San Joaquin Valley
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Supreme
125
$295-300
REGION 4: Central San Joaquin Valley
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Premium
300
$275
Wheat
Good
0 45-45
REGION 5: Southern California
Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West-
ern San Bernardino.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Premium
200
$300
Good/Prem. 250
$240
Forage Mix-Three Way
Good
50
$290
REGION 6: Southeast California
Alfalfa
Prem./Sup. 275
$225
Premium
3975 $210-220
200
$200
475
$215-225
75
$255
2000 $225
Good/Prem. 3625 $200-205
275
$230-235
500
$145
Good
100
$220
75
$190
Fair/Good 150
$140
Wheat Straw
Good
25
$90
WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY
(Columbia Basin)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 3
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
1,910
1,320
1,405
Compared to March 27: Premium Export Alfalfa steady in a light
test. Fair/Good dry cow and feeder hay steady also. Trade very slow
for domestic and export markets. More interest from exporters was
noted this week. Most interests are waiting for new crop. Demand
light to moderate. Retail/Feedstore hay steady. Demand remains
good.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Large Square
Good/Prem. 1200 $180-190
Fair/Good 555
$155-160
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
155
$250-260
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 3
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
6,350
10,250
3,000
Compared to March 27 Premium/Supreme Alfalfa steady. Fair/
Good feeder quality Alfalfa steady. Trade moderate this week. De-
mand moderate to good. Due to drought conditions in Nevada more
Idaho hay is being shipped there. Exporters reporting they are being
able to ship more hay overseas now. Most areas of the trade area
are reporting drier than normal conditions. Retail/feed store/horse
not tested this week.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Large Square
Prem./Sup. 2000 $180-200
Good
2000 $160-165
Fair/Good 2000 $120-130
Alfalfa/Grass Mix Large Square Utility
350
$135
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 3
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for April delivery ended the reporting week on
Thursday, April 2, higher than March 27 noon bids for April delivery.
May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, April
2, higher as follows compared to March 27 closes: Chicago May
wheat futures 37 cents higher at $5.3625, Kansas City 39.75 cents
higher at $5.8275 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 32.25
cents higher at $5.9550. Chicago May corn futures trended 3.25
cents higher at $3.9450 while May soybean futures closed 11.50
cents higher at $9.86.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during April for ordinary protein were 37.00 to 61.25
cents per bushel higher at $6.7625 compared to March 27 noon bids
for April delivery of $6.15-6.3925, mostly $6.2725.
White club wheat premiums for ordinary protein nearby delivery
were $2.00 to $2.40, mostly $2.20 for this week compared to $2.40
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
$7.3925-7.80, mostly $7.63 and bids for White Club Wheat were
$7.9925-8.1925, mostly $8.15.
Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White wheat ordinary protein started
the reporting week on March 27 at mostly $6.3150, then moved
higher to mostly $6.3525 on March 30 before dropping lower on
March 31 to mostly $6.26. Bids jumped higher on April 1 to mostly
$6.7350. April 2 bids moved higher to mostly $6.7625.
Several exporters are not issuing bids for nearby delivery. For-
ward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as fol-
lows: May $6.7625-6.78, June and July not available and August
New Crop $6.3425-6.4925. One year ago, forward month bids for
soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: May $7.3925-7.80,
June $7.45-7.60, July $7.20-7.30 and August New Crop $7.1825-
7.3825.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5
percent protein during April trended 1.25 to 17.00 cents per bushel
higher from $7.0625-7.2625, mostly $7.1675 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 $2.00 to $2.40, mostly $2.23 compared to last week’s from
$2.00 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
27 at mostly $7.03, then moved higher to mostly $7.1625 before
dropping lower to mostly $7.0250 on March 31. Bids moved high-
er to mostly $7.1450 on April 1. Today, April 2, bids were higher
at mostly $7.1675. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guar-
anteed 10.5 percent protein were as follows: May $7.0625-7.3625,
June $7.0075-7.4075, July not available and August New Crop
$6.3425-6.50.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
April delivery were 34.75 to 39.75 cents per bushel higher compared
to March 26 for April noon bids. On April 2, bids were as follows:
April $6.8275-7.0275, mostly $6.9675; May $6.8275-7.0775; June
$6.96-7.01, July not available and August New Crop $6.76-6.86.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery for April delivery were 32.25
cents per bushel higher compared to April 2 noon bids in lining up
with the higher Minneapolis May wheat futures. On April 2, bids for
non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: April $8.5050-
9.2050, mostly $9.0550; May $8.5550-9.2050; June $8.2525-
9.3025, July not available and August New Crop $7.3275-7.5775.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific Northwest
- BN shuttle trains for April delivery were 13 to 17 cents lower from
$4.7850-4.8050 per bushel. Forward month corn bids for May were
$4.7850-4.8050, June/July were $4.8375-7.8775, August/Septem-
ber $4.9650-5.0150 and October and November were $4.9650-
5.0150. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific
Northwest - BN shuttle trains for April delivery were 4 to 8 cents
lower from $10.66-10.71 per bushel. Forward month soybean bids
for May were $10.66, September were $10.7025-10.7125, October
were $10.7025-10.7425 and November were $10.7125-10.7425.
Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy Wheat Oats for April delivery held steady at
$3.8475 per bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
There were 14 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs-
day, April 2, with three docked compared to 11 March 26 with three
docked. There were no new confirmed Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion sales for Pacific Northwest loadout.
CALIFORNIA GRAINS
(USDA Market News)
Portland
April 2
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
Tulare County
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
Madera County
Kern County
Glenn County
Colusa County
Solano County
CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
FOB Turlock/Tulare
Rail
Single Car Units via BNSF
Chino Valley-Los Angeles
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Rail
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
via BNSF Single
Truck
Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
OATS - U.S. No. 1 White
Truck
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
OATS - U.S. No. 2 White
Truck
Petaluma
Rail
Petaluma
WHEAT - U.S. No. 2 or better - Hard Red Winter
(Domestic Values for Flour Milling)
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein
Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein
WHEAT - U.S. Durum Wheat
Truck
Imperial County
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
WHEAT - Any Class for Feed
FOB Tulare
Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
King-Tulare-Fresno Counties
Merced County
Colusa County
Kern County
Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day
ending April 2:
No confirmed sales.
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
$9.06
$9.72
NA
$8.25
NA
$9.37
$11.19-11.28
NA
NA
NA
$13.68
$13.88
$14.08
$12.55
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
$12.30-13.15
NA
NA
$11.25
NA
NA
NA
reporting period
with positive news with warming weather helping
sales and the need to restock inventories for May.
Choice product closed on April 3 at $255.57 with
feedlot trade in Kansas $2 higher at $167 and Ne-
braska live sales $2-2.50 higher from $167-169.
Auction volume included 55 percent weighing
over 600 lbs. and 41 percent heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
235,500
215,800
198,200
WASHINGTON 2,000. 65 pct over 600 lbs. 54
pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 700-
750 lbs. $219.81; 750-800 lbs. $204.88; 800-850
lbs. $204.28. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 450-
500 lbs. $248.56;
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
70,200
52,600
76,700
SOUTHWEST
(Arizona-California-Nevada)
9,300. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Hol-
steins: Large 3 Del 275 lbs. $310 August; 300 lbs.
$2850-290 August.
NORTHWEST
(Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
7,600. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 29 pct heifers.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB
Price 650-700 lbs. $231-235 Idaho-Washington;
750 lbs. $220 Idaho; 800-900 lbs. $196.50-206
Idaho-Washington-Oregon; 950-1000 lbs. $185-
191 Idaho. Current Delivered Price 650-700 lbs.
$226 Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $224.50-225 Idaho; 850
lbs. $203 Idaho. Future FOB Price 650-700 lbs.
$227 calves for Nov Washington; 900-950 lbs.
$205-207 for June-September Idaho-Oregon. Fu-
ture Delivery Delivered Price 800-850 lbs. $207-
208.50 for May-August Idaho. Heifers: Current
Delivered Price 650-700 lbs. $214 Idaho; 850 lbs.
$196-205 Idaho. 800-850 lbs. $186-196 Idaho.
Future FOB Price: 850 lbs. $201-202 Idaho-Ore-
gon. Future Delivery Delivered Price 750-800 lbs.
$203.50-204.50 for July-September Idaho.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 3
This week
Last week
Last year
7,550
4,000
5,500
Compared to March 27: Feeder cattle $2-13
higher. Trade moderate with good demand esp.
for the summer months. Trade sources are esti-
mating lower number of yearlings being offered
during the summer months than usual due to dry
conditions. The feeder supply included 71 percent
steers and 29 percent heifers. Nearly 100 percent
of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are
FOB weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or
equivalent and with a 5-10 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: 650-700 lbs. $231-235 Idaho-Washington;
750 lbs. $220 Idaho; 800-900 lbs. $196.50-206
Idaho-Washington-Oregon; 950-1000 lbs. $185-
191 Idaho; Current Delivered Price: 650-700 lbs.
$226 Idaho; 700-750 lbs. $224.50-225 Idaho; 850
lbs. $203 Idaho. Future FOB Price: 650-700 lbs.
$227 calves for Nov Washington; 900-950 lbs.
$205-207 for June-September Idaho-Oregon.
Future Delivery Delivered Price: 800-850 lbs.
$207-208.50 for May-August Idaho.
Heifers: Current Delivered Price: 650-700 lbs.
$214 Idaho; 850 lbs. $196-205 Idaho. 800-850
lbs. $186-196 Idaho. Future FOB Price: 850
lbs. $201-202 Idaho-Oregon. Future Delivery
Delivered Price: 750-800 lbs. $203.50-204.50 for
July-September Idaho.
Minn. turkey farms see more bird flu
By KIA FARHANG
Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) —
Keeping wild waterfowl from
spreading bird flu to Minneso-
ta turkey farms won’t be easy,
the state veterinarian said as
officials announced the sixth
and seventh cases of the dis-
ease in the country’s top tur-
key-producing state.
Officials say it’s too early
to speculate whether the high-
ly pathogenic strain could
hurt Minnesota’s $750 million
turkey industry. More than
40 countries banned poultry
imports from Minnesota last
month, when the first case
was reported, though some
have since narrowed the bans
to poultry from affected coun-
ties. Health officials have said
the risk to the public from the
virus is low.
State veterinarian Bill
Hartmann told reporters he’s
confident farmers’ increased
security measures will pre-
vent any farm-to-farm trans-
missions.
“As far as stopping this
connection between the wa-
terfowl and turkeys, it will be
a challenge this year,” Hart-
mann said.
There’s no evidence the
H5N2 strain spread between
the seven Minnesota farms
infected over the past month,
Hartmann said. That means
wild birds such as ducks and
geese, which can carry the
flu but aren’t sickened by it,
could be responsible.
State workers will sample
wild waterfowl droppings
around the infected farms to
test for the virus, said Mi-
chelle Carstensen, wildlife
health program supervisor at
the state Department of Nat-
ural Resources. They’re also
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 3
Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was at
a standstill this week and there were no confirmed
trades. Shearing is continuing at a strong pace
across the Western states and into the Midwest.
Storms last month caused a lot of shearing to be
put on hold while they passed through. Warmer
weather has now allowed shearing to take place
and move along at full momentum. 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. A stronger U.S. dollar along with the
struggles in China’s marketplace is making it hard
for buyers to obtain clips that growers are willing
to sell. The most current wools that had sold were
falling within 80-85 percent of Australia. 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
April 3
Compared to March 27: Slaughter lambs were
steady to $10 lower, except at Ft. Collins, Colo.,
and Kalona, Iowa, where they were steady to
$10 higher. Slaughter ewes were mostly steady.
Feeder lambs were firm in a light test. At San An-
gelo, Texas, 4,094 head sold in a one-day sale.
No sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct
trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs were
not tested. 5,900 head of negotiated sales of
slaughter lambs under 170 lbs. were $3-5 lower,
over 170 lbs. were steady. 10,000 head of formula
sales under 55 lbs. were not well tested; 55-65
lbs. were steady; 65-75 lbs. were $5-7 higher; 75-
85 lbs. were $8-10 lower and over 85 lbs. were
$2-5 lower. 6,535 lamb carcasses sold with 45
lbs. and down $122.93 higher; 45-65 lbs. steady
to 7.72 higher and 65 lbs. and up $.96-2.06 lower.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:
San Angelo: Shorn and wooled 100-180 lbs.
$120-140, few $144-152.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $220-230; 60-70 lbs.
$200-214; 70-80 lbs. $186-196; 80-90 lbs. $184-
192; 90-110 lbs. $166-188.
DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent
shrink or equivalent):
5,900 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 135-
169 lbs. $117-161.10, mostly 134-137 (wtd avg
$136.01); 175-190 lbs. $115-123.62 (wtd avg
$119.29).
SLAUGHTER EWES:
San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 60-65;
Good 2-3 (fleshy) $80-84; Utility and Good 1-3
(medium flesh) $90-104; Utility 1-2 (thin) $80-
897; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $76; Cull 1
(extremely thin) $50-60.
FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: new crop 50-70 lbs. $188-210;
70-80 lbs. $184-190; 80-90 lbs. $178-188; 95-
101 lbs. $178-180. old crop 60-65 lbs. $162-164;
80-100 lbs. $150-162.
REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large
1-2:
San Angelo: hair ewe lambs 72 lbs. $218 cwt.
NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice
and Prime 1-4:
Weight
Wtd. avg.
45 lbs. down
$643.70
45-55 lbs.
$407.90
55-65 lbs.
$356.69
65-75 lbs.
$322.08
75-85 lbs.
$307.24
85 lbs. and up
$293.05
Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in-
spection for the week to date totaled 52,000 com-
pared with 47,000 last week and 44,000 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 3
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 17 cents lower for Jumbo, 35 cents lower
for Extra Large, 42 cents lower for Large and 35 cents lower for Medium and Small. The undertone is
lower. Retail demand ranges moderate to good and better into areas with ad activity in most instances.
Offerings are moderate to occasionally heavy on light to moderate supplies. Market activity is slow to
moderate. Small benchmark price $1.63.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
242
Extra large
233
Large
232
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
217-226
Medium
163-172
Livestock Auctions
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash.
lot yearlings and fall born calves both carrying
considerable flesh, but there seems to be plen-
ty of buyers eagerly bidding on all classes. True
grass ready stocker cattle still bring top billing.
The last three weeks, feedlots have traded fat
cattle higher, despite poor processing margins.
Demand and attitudes have come out from under
a cloud that had plagued them since the first of
the year. The CME cattle complex continues to
see increasing open interest in positions, but mar-
ket behavior is nothing new as CME cattle futures
can be leery about keeping distance between the
futures and the cash market.
Spring beef demand, fed and feeder cattle
availability, packer margins and slaughter in-
creases will be key market factors. There are
market watchers who feel there is still some
fuel left in these rockets with available supplies
of feeders eventually tightening and plenty of on
the farm feed.
At the Bassett, Neb., Livestock Auction on April
1 sold consignments and strings of reputation
Sandhill cattle with near 270 head of steers aver-
aging 730 lbs. sold with a weighted average price
of 246.91 and 400 head of their bigger brothers
averaging 760 lbs. sold with a weighted average
price of $237.09.
USDA’s Grain Stocks and Prospective Plant-
ings reports were released on March 31 and
pointed to larger than expected corn supplies.
USDA’s estimate of 89.2 million acres of corn to
be planted would be 1.5 percent lower than one
year ago, but still 460,000 acres more than ana-
lysts expected. March 1 corn stocks came in at
7.740 billion bushels which was 11 percent higher
than a year ago and over 130 million more than
analysts had expected.
Boxed beef values continue to grind higher
Sheep/Wool Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Greeley, Colo.-San Angelo,
Texas
$15.60
Cattle Market Reports
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.)
except some replacement animals per pair or
head as indicated.
NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
Oklahoma City-Des Moines
April 3
Compared to March 27: Slaughter cattle trad-
ed on a live basis $2 higher. Cattle traded on a
dressed basis $2-3 higher.
Boxed beef prices April 3 at noon averaged
$252.72 that is $3.96 higher than March 27. The
Choice/Select spread is $6.50. Slaughter cattle
on a national basis for negotiated cash trades
through April 3 at noon totaled about 15,000
head. The previous week’s total head count was
62,767 head.
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and
Heifers 35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400 lbs.
$167; Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers: $265.
South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers
and Heifers 35-65 percent Choice, 1100-1400
lbs. $167.
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 April
3 at noon was $231.18 down $.58 from March 27.
NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
St. Joseph, Mo.
April 3
This week
Last week
Last year
341,300
270,800
279,600
Compared to March 27: Feeder cattle and
calves sold mostly steady to $5 higher with a
majority of sales ranging from $2-5 higher. As a
whole, receipts are currently made up of growing
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 4
Market commentary: Prices for large count cartons are rising, due to limited supplies, but consumer
pack prices remain under pressure.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$12.62
$0.39
$5.48
$0.23
$28
$1
$5.50
$0
IDAHO NORKOTAH
$12.22
$0.24
$5.42
$0.18
$27
$1.50
$5.50
$0
COLUMBIA BASIN
$14.03
$0.53
$6.20
$0.33
$25
$2
$6.50
$0
KLAMATH BASIN
$14.22
-$0.25
$6.01
-$0.18
$23.50
$0
$7.50
-$0.50
watching for any reports of
dead turkeys or birds of prey
in the wild.
The state will also continue
to monitor any poultry farm
workers who had extensive
contact with infected birds,
said Joni Scheftel, public
health veterinarian at the Min-
nesota Department of Health.
She stressed that the public is
“absolutely not at risk.”
Three turkey farms where
infections have happened
are in Stearns County, in the
south-central part of the state.
The newest infected flock had
about 76,000 birds.
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.)
except some replacement animals per pair or
head as indicated.
Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1300-2300 lbs.
$129-137.50.
California
VALE
(Producers Livestock Market)
April 1
Total receipts: 1,114 head.
Comments: Good run of stocker and grass
calves. A few more 600 weight and 700 weight
yearling cattle. Good market throughout.
Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $297-332; 400-500
lbs. $279-318; 500-600 lbs. $249-293.
Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $288-315; 400-500
lbs. $232-297; 500-600 lbs. $217-263.
Yearling steers : 600-700 lbs. $223-258; 700-
800 lbs. $192-218; 800-900 lbs. $191-199; 900-
1000 lbs. $177-187.
Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $212-235; 700-
800 lbs. $187-208; 800-900 lbs. $184-198.
Pairs (young): $1950-2425.
Stock cows (young): NA; Stock cows (B.M.):
$1375-1700.
Butcher cows: $96-107.
Thin shelly cows: $84-95.
Younger heiferettes: $123-157.
Butcher bulls: $97-126.
MADRAS
(Central Oregon Livestock Auction)
March 30
Total head: 300 head.
Steers: 200-300 lbs. $305-312; 300-400 lbs.
$310-316; 400-500 lbs. $295-317; 500-600 lbs.
$265-268; 600-700 lbs. $220-250; 700-800 lbs.
$210-215; 800-900 lbs. $200-205.
Bulls: High yield. $131-136.50; mostly $120;
thinner $110-115.
Heifers: 200-300 lbs. $265-272; 300-400 lbs.
$265-275; 400-500 lbs. $265-275; 500-600 lbs.
$250-259; 600-700 lbs. $235-245; 700-800 lbs.
$195-205.
Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $150-175.
Cows: Heiferettes $120; Feeder cows $117;
high-yield $130; medium-yield $95; low-yield $85.
EUGENE
(Eugene Livestock Market)
Junction City, Ore.
April 4
Total head count: 382.
Market conditions compared to March 29:
Cows and bulls steady; feeder cattle remain
steady; yearlings $3-5 higher.
Top cows: High dressers $104-117, low dress-
ers $88-101.50; Top 10 $110.45.
Top bulls: High dressers $108-139.50
Feeder bulls: 300-500 lbs. $200-264; 500-700
lbs. $175-236; 700-900 lbs. $193.
Choice steers, medium to large frame No. 1
and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $275-300;400-500 lbs.
$:245-292.50; 500-600 lbs. $210-255;600-700
lbs. $200-230; 700-800 lbs. $190-215; 800-900
lbs. $180.50-207.
Choice heifers, medium to large frame No. 1
and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $232-280; 400-500 lbs.
$232-262.50; 500-600 lbs. $210-247.50; 600-700
lbs. $210-228; 700-800 lbs. $180-191.
Bred Cows: $1800 head; Pairs $1510 pair.
Head calves (up to 250 lbs.) $380-875 head,
Dairy $32.50-350 head.
Feeder lambs: 50-90 lbs. $140-176, 90-130 lbs.
$125-175.
SHASTA
(Shasta Livestock Auction)
Cottonwood, Calif.
April 3
Current week Last week
336
604
Compared to March 27: Slaughter cows steady.
Few bulls $8 higher. Special pair and feeder sale
next week so low numbers this week. 3-1 steers
to heifers, steady to $5 higher. Off lots and singles
$25-50 below top.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $101-107, $108-117
high dress; Boning $94-100.
Bulls 1 and 2: $110-125; $126-138 high dress.
Feeder steers: 400-450 lbs. 330; 450-500 lbs.
$293-300; 500-550 lbs. $260-294; 550-600 lbs.
$271-279; 650-700 lbs. $242; 700-750 lbs. $219-
240; 750-800 lbs. $229; 800-900 lbs. $209-215.
Feeder heifers: 500-550 lbs. $257-277.50.
Pairs: Couple full-mouth sets $2800-3250.
Broken mouth pairs $1685-2200.
Calvy cows: Too few for market test.
Washington
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
March 27
This week
Last week
Last year
1,600
1,650
1,700
Compared to March 27 at the same market:
Stocker and feeder cattle mixed, steers $5-10
higher and heifers $2-10 lower. Trade active with
good demand. Slaughter cows and bulls $2 to $5
higher. Trade active with good demand. Slaugh-
ter cows 64 percent, Slaughter bulls 5 percent,
and feeders 31 percent of the supply. The feeder
supply included 45 percent steers and 55 percent
heifers. Near 71 percent of the run weighed over
600 lbs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-
500 lbs. $297-305; 400-500 lbs. $319, Thin
Fleshed; 400-500 lbs. $312, Value Added; 500-
600 lbs. $268.50; 600-700 lbs. $240-247, Value
Added; 700-800 lbs. $208-231; 700-800 lbs.
$209, Fleshy; 800-900 lbs. $203-208.50. Medium
and Large 2-3: 500-600 lbs. $177.50; 600-700
lbs. $198. Small and Medium 1-2: 400-500 lbs.
$217.50; 600-700 lbs. $221.
Feeder Holstein Steers: Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs.
$196-198; 700-800 lbs. $189.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-
500 lbs. $250; 500-600 lbs. $245-247; 600-700
lbs. $220; 600-700 lbs. $240, Value Added; 700-
800 lbs. $185-206; 700-800 lbs. $195-207, Val-
ue Added. Medium and Large 2-3: 700-800 lbs.
$191. Large 2-3: 400-500 lbs. $197.50; 500-600
lbs. $197; 700-800 lbs. $175-186.50; 1000-1100
lbs. $159; 1400-1500 lbs. $116. Small and Medi-
um 1-2: 300-400 lbs. $247.50.
Slaughter Cows:
Boning 80-85 percent lean 1200-1400 lbs.
$114.50-119; Boning 80-85 percent lean 1400-
1800 lbs. $103-109; Lean 85-90 percent lean
1000-1800 lbs. $99-105.
Oregon