May 8, 2015
CapitalPress.com
15
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.
May 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
5,500
930
5,910
Compared to April 24: All grades of Alfalfa weak in a light test.
Trade slow for domestic and export markets. Light new crop Alfalfa
contracts were reported this week. Demand light to moderate. Re-
tail/Feedstore not tested this week. Demand remains good.
Tons Price
Fair/Good 1200 $150
Alfalfa Large Square
Alfalfa Mid Square
Premium
1500 $190
Good/Prem. 300
$180
Fair/Good 1000 $160
Alfalfa Standing
Good/Prem. 750
$125
Fair/Good 750
$125
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
May 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
2,077
1,567
664
Compared to April 24: Prices trended generally steady compared
to the same quality last week. Trade activity and demand slowed
this week. Prices trended generally steady compared to the same
quality last week.
Trade activity and demand picked up slightly 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
containers available and backup of containers needing to be
loaded at the shipping ports continue to slow down the ability
Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA
Agricultural Market Service
to export hay overseas. Most producers have sold all that they
plan to sell for this season.
Tons Price
CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
50
$240
51
$300
EASTERN OREGON
Timothy Grass Large Square Premium
80
$150
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Supreme
32
$250
Good
1220 $170-190
Small Square
Premium
30
$220
Good/Prem. 34
$200
Good
90
$180
Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square Premium
75
$150
Triticale Large Square
Good/Prem. 86
$140
Good
300
$130
Forage Mix-Three Way
Large Square
Good
29
$145
HARNEY COUNTY: No new sales confirmed.
KLAMATH BASIN: No new sales confirmed.
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
5,900
2,400
5,600
Compared to April 24: All grades of Alfalfa weak in a light test.
Trade remains slow to moderate. Demand light to moderate. Some
contracting of new crop Alfalfa was reported this week with guaran-
teed no rain damage and a test of 160 RFV or better. Retail/feed
store/horse not tested this week.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Large Square
Good/Prem. 1800 $160
Fair/Good 2100 $125
Utility/Fair 2000 $75-90
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
9,990
18,115
29,595
Compared to April 24: All classes traded active on good demand.
Milk prices remained in the low-teens, which affected the demand
from dairies for test hay. Exporters are still playing a big hand in the
markets in region 6. According to U.S. Drought Monitor, little if any
precipitation fell across the state of California during the past seven
days, with the exception of moderate to locally heavy precipitation
(0.5-3.0 inches) over north-central portions of the state, including
the Sierras. Water, yields and acres are coming up short for this
season of haying.
REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and
Plumas.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Good
75
$185
Orchard Grass
Premium
525
$324
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
Supreme
250
$245-250
150
$240
Good/Prem. 50
$250
Orchard Grass
Premium
25
$300
Orchard/Timothy
Premium
75
$320
Oat
Good
50
$140
Rice Straw
Good
250
$100
REGION 3: Northern San Joaquin Valley
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Supreme
300
$260
600
$260-282
Good/Prem. 300
$225
Good
150
$200
Orchard Grass
Premium
95
$190
Oat
Good
75
$165
Rye Grass Straw
Good
2000 $140
REGION 4: Central San Joaquin Valley
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Premium
70
$180
Good
550
$230
75
$290
Wheat
Good
$45
REGION 5: Southern California
Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West-
ern San Bernardino.
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Supreme
575
$255.20
150
$225
REGION 6: Southeast California
Tons Price
Alfalfa
Prem./Sup. 250
$235
Premium
2150 $225-236
Good/Prem. 200
$200
Good
200
$150
Klein Grass
Premium
800
$160
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 30
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for May delivery ended the reporting week on
Thursday, April 30, lower, compared to April 23 noon bids for May
delivery.
May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, April
30, lower as follows compared to April 23 closes: Chicago July
wheat futures 27.25 cents lower at $4.74, Kansas City May wheat
futures 26.25 cents lower at $4.9025 and Minneapolis May wheat
futures trended 22 cents lower at $5.2325. Chicago July corn futures
trended 10.25 cents lower at $3.6625 while July soybean futures
closed $4 cents lower at $9.76.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during May for ordinary protein were 10 to 27.25
cents per bushel lower from $5.80-6.04, mostly $5.91 compared to
April 23 noon bids for May delivery of $5.90-6.3125.
There were no white club wheat premiums for this week, com-
pared to White club wheat premiums for ordinary protein last week
of $1.10 to $2, mostly $1.70.
One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for May
delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $7.70-8.0650,
mostly $7.9150 and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.20-8.78,
mostly $8.5150. Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White wheat ordinary
protein started reporting week on April 17 at 6.0450 and dropped
lower on April 20 to mostly $5.9425 and held at that leave through
April 21. Bids moved fractionally higher to mostly $5.9450 on April
22. April 23, bids moved lower to the weekly low of mostly $5.91.
Several exporters are not issuing bids for nearby delivery. For-
ward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as
follows: June $5.80-5.96, July $5.74-5.80 and August New Crop
$5.7375-5.85. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white
wheat for any protein were as follows: June $8.0350-8.0650, July
$7.7975-7.8275 and August New Crop $7.50-7.7975.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 per-
cent protein during May trended 26 to 28.75 cents per bushel lower
from $6.24-6.39, mostly $6.33 per bushel compared to last week
ranging from $6.50-6.6775. There were no white club wheat premi-
ums, compared to white club wheat premiums for guaranteed 10.5
percent protein last week of $1.10 to $2, mostly 1.70.
Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent
protein began the reporting week on April 17 at mostly $6.4850,
moving lower to mostly 6.3225 on April 20, and to mostly $6.3125
on April 21. On April 22, bids moved higher to mostly 6.4350. April
23, Thursday moved lower again to mostly $6.33. Forward month
bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent protein were as
follows: June 6.33-6.39, July $5.74-5.83 and August New Crop
$5.7375-6.05.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
May delivery were 31.25 to 32.25 cents per bushel lower compared
to April 17 for May noon bids. On Thursday, bids were as follows:
May $5.8525-5.9925, mostly $5.9225; June $5.99; July $5.79-5.94
and August New Crop $5.8425-5.9925.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery for May delivery were 22 to
instances of 77 cents per bushel lower compared to April 23 noon
bids. On April 23, bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were
as follows: May $6.9825-7.6325, mostly $7.3825; June $7.13-7.68;
July $6.93-7.38; August New Crop $6.68-6.98 and September
$6.78.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific North-
west-BN shuttle trains for May delivery were $5.50 to 9.50 cents
lower from $4.5525-4.5925 per bushel. Forward month corn bids for
June $4.5225-4.5425, July $4.5875, August/September $4.7150-
4.7350 and October and November $4.6950-4.7350. Bids for U.S.
1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific Northwest-BN shuttle
trains for May delivery were mixed, from 2.25 lower to 7.75 cents
higher from $10.51-10.66 per bushel. Forward month soybean
bids for June $10.51-10.61, October $10.5025-10.6225, November
$10.5225-10.6425 and December $10.5525-10.6725. Bids for U.S.
2 Heavy Wheat Oats for May delivery held steady at $3.8475 per
bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
There were three grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs-
day, April 30, with two docked compared to seven on April 23 with
three docked. The Commodity Credit Corporation of the USDA ten-
ders this afternoon to donate 35,800 metric tons of soft white wheat
to Yemen and 10,640 metric tons of soft white wheat to Afghanistan,
under the PL 480 Title II Program. Delivery is for May 20-30. Results
will be available today after 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
CALIFORNIA GRAINS
(USDA Market News)
Portland
April 30
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
$9.85
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
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
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 30
No confirmed sales.
$9.85
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
$8.75
$9.22
NA
$9.06
NA
NA
$11.02
NA
$15.60
$13.25-13.75
$13.25-13.75
NA
$12.14
$12.34
$12.54
$10.67
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
$12.60
NA
$NA
$NA
NA
NA
NA
reporting period
Prices are weekly averages of daily prices. All prices are in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.). FWA is a
weighted average of shipping point prices or common packs in each area. Weights differ by area. GRI is
the Grower Returns Index for each individual area.
FRESH RUSSET POTATO MARKET REPORT
(North American Potato Market News)
(USDA Market News)
May 2
Market Commentary: Russet market prices are holding relatively stable, though there has been some
downward adjustment in Colorado and the Klamath Basin.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$12.55
$0
COLUMBIA BASIN
$14.08
$0
KLAMATH BASIN
$15.62
-$0.50
$5.44
$0
$28.50
$0
$5
$0
$6.22
$0
$25
$0
$6.50
$0
$6.99
-$0.35
$29
$0
$7
-$1
Livestock Auctions
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight
(cwt.) except some replacement animals per
pair or head as indicated.
California
SHASTA
(Shasta Livestock Auction)
Cottonwood, Calif.
May 1
Current week Last week
2,513
1,234
Compared to April 24: Butcher cows and bulls
steady. Feeder cows strong, up to $133. Feeder
market mixed with 550 lbs. to 700 lbs. strong.
Yearling market softer. Off lots and singles $40-
75 below top.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $103-112, $113-119
high dress; Boning $95-102; Cutters $81-94.
Bulls 1 and 2: $110-124; $125-137 high dress.
Feeder steers: 400-450 lbs. $180-337.50;
500-550 lbs. $265-310; 550-600 lbs. $230-266;
600-650 lbs. $225-260; 650-700 lbs. $225-251;
700-750 lbs. $200-242; 750-800 lbs. $191-208;
800-900 lbs. $181-203.50.
Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $250-310; 400-
450 lbs. $215-245; 450-500 lbs. $215-255; 500-
550 lbs. $210-245; 550-600 lbs. $205-237.50;
600-650 lbs. $192-225; 650-700 lbs. $180-204;
700-750 lbs. $180-195; 750-800 lbs. $170-178;
800-900 lbs. $164-173.
Pairs: Full-mouth pairs $2000-3100; Bro-
ken-mouth $1725-2500.
Calvy cows: Few running age cows $1800-
$2050; Broken-mouth: butcher price to $1725
lbs.
Idaho
CALDWELL
(Treasure Valley Livestock)
May 1
Steers: 300-400 lbs. $255.25; 400-500 lbs.
$243.75; 500-600 lbs. $227.75; 600-700 lbs.
$204.75; 700-800 lbs. $178.50; 800-900 lbs.
$174.25; 900-1000 lbs. $160.25; 1000 lbs. and
up $123.50.
Heifers: 200-300 lbs. $252.50; 300-400 lbs.
$242.50; 400-500 lbs. $228.50; 500-600 lbs.
$212.25; 600-700 lbs. $192.50; 700-800 lbs.
$153.25; 800-900 lbs. $132.50; 900-1000 lbs.
$144.50; 1000 lbs. and up $109.
Cows (wt.): 700-800 lbs. $82.50; 800-900 lbs.
$85.75; 900-1000 lbs. $91.75; 1000-1100 lbs.
$96.25; 1100-1200 lbs. $101.25; 1200-1300
lbs. $88.50; 1300-1400 lbs. $97; 1400-1500
lbs. $64; 1500-1600 lbs. $103.75; 1600-1700
lbs. $102.50; 1700-1800 lbs. $94; 1800-1900
lbs. $96.
Bull calves (wt.): 200-300 lbs. $321.25; 300-
400 lbs. $312.50; 400-500 lbs. $200; 500-600
lbs. $212.25; 600-700 lbs. $190; 700-800 lbs.
$192.50; 900-1000 lbs. $97.50; 1000-1100 lbs.
$112; 1300-1400 lbs. $100; 1400-1500 lbs.
$129.
Bulls (wt.): 1500-1600 lbs. $103.75; 1600-
1700 lbs. $134; 2100-2200 lbs. $130.
Pairs (hd.): 1000 lbs. and up $1200.
Bred heifers (hd.): 800 lbs. and up $1470.
Stock cows (hd.): 800 lbs. and up $1480.
Bull calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $515; 200-300
lbs. $620; 300-400 lbs. $555.
Heifer calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $405; 200-
300 lbs. $450; 300-400 lbs. $615.
Steer calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $425; 200-300
lbs. $495; 300-400 lbs. $555; 400-500 lbs. $455.
Washington
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 1
This week
Last week
Last year
1,450
2,020
1,500
Compared to April 24 at the same market:
Stocker and feeder cattle weak to $10 lower.
Trade active with good demand. Slaughter cows
$4-5 lower. Slaughter bulls firm. Trade active
with good demand. Slaughter cows 67 percent,
Slaughter bulls 5 percent, and feeders 28 percent
of the supply. The feeder supply included 56
percent steers and 44 percent heifers. Near 50
percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-
500 lbs. $268; 500-600 lbs. $260; 600-700 lbs.
$239.50-246.50; 700-800 lbs. $190-200. Medium
and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $207; 800-900 lbs.
$190. Small and Medium 1-2: 500-600 lbs. $240;
500-600 lbs. $222.50, Full; 600-700 lbs. $230.
Feeder Holstein Steers: Large 2-3: 100-200
lbs. $240; 100-200 lbs. $510, Per Head; 200-300
lbs. $240.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-
500 lbs. $240-250; 400-500 lbs. $265, Thin
Fleshed; 500-600 lbs. $230; 600-700 lbs. $214-
215; 700-800 lbs. $187-191; 700-800 lbs. $175,
Full. Medium and Large 2-3: 400-500 lbs. $220,
Thin Fleshed; 500-600 lbs. $210; 600-700 lbs.
$205. Small and Medium 1-2: 600-700 lbs. $200-
207.
Slaughter Cows:
Boning 80-85 percent lean 1300-1900 lbs.
$101-107; Boning 80-85 percent lean 1200-1700
lbs. $112-118; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1200-
1600 lbs. $100-106; Lean Light 90 percent lean
800-1250 lbs. $90-95.
Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1000-2600 lbs.
$135-145.
Bred Cows (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2:
Mid-Aged 1400 lbs. lbs. 6-9 mos. bred $1950-
2100.
Oregon
EUGENE
(Eugene Livestock Auction)
Springfield, Ore.
May 2
Total head count: 335.
Market conditions compared to April 26: Cows
steady; bulls higher; feeders steady.
Cows: Top cows high dressers $109-120, low
dressers$96-108; Top 10 $110.90.
Top bulls high dressers $123-143.50.
Feeder bulls: 300-500 lbs. $190-272.50; 500-
700 lbs. $190-268; 700-900 lbs. $142-207.
Choice steers: medium to large frame No. 1
and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $240-280; 400-500 lbs.
$245-288; 500-600 lbs. $230-263; 600-700 lbs.
$215-236; 700-800 lbs. $190-198 low test.
Choice heifers: medium to large frame No. 1
and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $260-292; 400-500 lbs.
$230-270; 500-600 lbs. $220-243; 600-700 lbs.
$180-207; 700-800 lbs. $170-190 low test; 800
up lbs. $170-176 low test.
Bred cows: $885-1020 head.
Pairs: $1700-2200 pair.
Head calves (up to 250 lbs.): $350-710 head.
Feeder lambs: 50-90 lbs. $130-168, 90-130 lbs.
$130-155.
California Egg Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Des Moines
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
May 1
Compared to April 24: Live sales have sold
steady in the Texas Panhandle and steady to
$1 higher in Kansas. Few dressed sales report-
ed in Nebraska at 2 higher. Boxed beef prices
April 24 averaged $248.93, which is $3.38 low-
er than April 17. The Choice/Select spread is
$11.42. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for
negotiated cash trades through April 24 totaled
about 18,364 head. The previous week’s total
head count was 74,218 head.
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis Steers
and Heifers 35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400
lbs. $160; Dressed Basis Steers and Heifers:
$255.
South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis:
Steers and Heifers 35-65 percent Choice,
1100-1400 lbs. $157-160.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls unevenly
steady.
USDA’s Cutter cow carcass cut-out value
Friday afternoon was $233.34 down $.94 from
April 17.
NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER
CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
St. Joseph, Mo.
May 1
This week
Last week
Last year
302,700
212,800
224,200
Compared to April 24: Yearling feeder cattle
sold mostly steady to $5 higher with instances
$6-8 higher. Direct trade was mostly $4-7 high-
er, regaining most of last week’s losses. Some
of the sharpest gains were noted on heavy
feeders weighing over 800 lbs.
Feeder calves started the week steady to $5
lower then by mid-week turning mostly steady
to spots $5 higher where calves were available.
Discounts continue in many cases on fleshy
unweaned bawlers mostly weighing under 500
lbs. that tend to melt in the hot sun.
A higher auction market for yearlings with
prices stronger than many expected, after last
week’s lower trends seen around the auction
circuit. In Bassett, Neb., on April 28 sold near
450 head of 600-650 lb. steers averaging 622
lbs. for a weighted average price of $268.79.
In Torrington, Wyo., on April 28 sold 185
head of 800-850 lb. steers averaging 822 lbs.
for a weighted average price of $219.65.
The market shook off the April 24 Cattle on
Feed report, which was viewed as mildly to
moderately bearish for trade on April 26, as
futures were sharply lower. Placements came
in 5 percent higher than expected which should
push fed cattle supplies for fall larger than ex-
pected.
Packers will have plenty of cattle to har-
vest from now through the 4th of July, during
the premier beef demand season. Marketing
continues to lag behind year ago levels but
seasonal increase in beef supplies will con-
tinue. Choice Box-beef prices continued to
hover around the $259 mark until April 28,
with Wednesday afternoon’s total boxed-beef
movement very impressive with heavy move-
ment of 221 loads, one of the few times this
year that the total movement has been over
200 loads.
With Mother’s Day, graduations and Memo-
rial Day weekend coming up, sales picked up
for retailers. Boxed beef then moved lower with
Choice product closing $2.26 lower at $254.64
on April 24 as that would be nearly $25 higher
than year ago levels. Auction receipts are start-
ing to get lighter and will continue at a fast pace
and buyers realize they need to fill orders now
while there are still cattle available.
For the balance of the spring, many produc-
ers will be concentrating on getting their corn
and soybeans in the ground while most avail-
able supplies of calves and yearlings will be
turned-out on grass until the summer yearling
specials.
Corn planting on April 26 was at 19 percent
completed with this week’s forecast for clear
skies throughout much of the Corn Belt.
Fed cattle prices gained $2 on live prices
in Kansas April 24 trading at $160, with trade
in Nebraska from $160-163 and Colorado $3
higher at $163. The week’s auction volume in-
cluded 52 percent over 600 lbs. and 42 percent
heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
180,200
169,600
161,500
WASHINGTON 2,300. 54 pct over 600 lbs.
46 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2
550-600 lbs. $249.96; 600-650 lbs. $237.92;
650-700 lbs. $230.66. Heifers: Medium and
Large 1-2 450-500 lbs. $246.73; 500-550 lbs.
$236.29; 550-600 lbs. $236.01; 700-750 lbs.
$192.51.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
66,400
36,000
59,100
SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada)
There were no direct sales reported.
NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
2,500. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 57 pct heifers.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB
Price 650-700 lbs. $235 Washington. Current
Delivered Price 850-900 lbs. $188-196 Idaho.
Future Delivery Delivered Price 850-900 lbs.
$196-205.50 for June-July Idaho. Holsteins:
Large 2-3 Current FOB Price 650 lbs. $189
Washington. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2
Current Delivered Price 850-900 lbs. $187-190
Idaho. Future Delivery Delivered 850-900 lbs.
$190-198 for June-September Idaho.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 1
This week
Last week
Last year
2,450
3,350
6,650
Compared to April 24: Feeder cattle weak
to $4 lower. Trade remains slow this week as
videos and auction sales in California are keep-
ing Northwest buyers busy. Demand remains
good. The feeder supply included 43 percent
steers and 57 percent heifers. Near 100 per-
cent of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Pric-
es 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. $235 Washington. Current
Delivered Price: 850-900 lbs. $188-196 Idaho.
Future Delivery Delivered Price 850-900 lbs.
$196-205.50 for June-July Idaho.
Holstein Steers Large 2-3: Current FOB
Price: 650 lbs. $189 Washington.
Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current De-
livered Price: 850-900 lbs. $187-190 Idaho. Fu-
ture Delivery Delivered 850-900 lbs. $190-198
for June-September Idaho.
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
May 1
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are unchanged on all sizes. The undertone
is steady. Retail demand is light to moderate as the end of the month arrived with ad activity scheduled
for the next few weeks. Food service movement is moderate to fairly good. Offerings are light to mostly
moderate. Supplies are light to moderate. Market activity is moderate. Small benchmark price $1.35.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
221
Extra large
195
Large
188
Medium
155
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
213-225
Extra large
176-188
Large
173-182
Medium
135-144
19-1/#4N