July 31, 2015 CapitalPress.com 15 Farm Market Report Disease hits Missouri wheat Hay 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. July 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 8,585 18,980 51,855 Compared to July 17: Premium and export Alfalfa steady in a light test. Trade slow this week for both domestic and export markets as both have adequate supplies. Timothy not tested this week. Demand light to moderate. Retail/Feedstore steady to $10 higher. Demand remains good. Tons Price Alfalfa Large Square Premium 125 $210 300 $200 1000 $240 Good/Prem. 300 $190 Fair/Good 600 $155 Alfalfa Mid Square Good 300 $170 1500 $213 Alfalfa Small Square Premium 300 $260-270 Good 1500 $213 Alfalfa/Grass Mix Small Square Premium 800 $275 Good 360 $195 Oat Large Square Good 500 $120 Wheat Large Square Fair/Good 1000 $85 OREGON AREA HAY (USDA Market News) Portland, Ore. July 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 8,331 6,172 3,840 Compared to July 17: Prices trended generally steady compared to the same quality last week. Trade activity increased slightly this week. However, many producers are still busy in the field with the second cutting. Some areas of Oregon received rain this past week, with some hay suffering rain damage. Tons Price CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES Alfalfa Large Square Good/Prem. 100 $200 Small Square Premium 20 $240-250 Good/Prem. 25 $230 Premium 28 $250 177 $240-255 Good/Prem. 25 $230 Orchard/Timothy Small Square Premium 50 $240 EASTERN OREGON Alfalfa Large Square Fair 2000 $150 Small Square Fair 80 $165 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Premium 2 $187 Standing Good 250 $125 Timothy Grass Large Square Good 200 $115 Barley Large Square Good 200 $130 HARNEY COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Premium 800 $245 Orchard Grass Large Square Fair 350 $175 LAKE COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 35 $300 Premium 725 $220-225 29 $225 33 $225 Fair 102 $160 1000 $170 Small Square Premium 1000 $210-220 Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square Good 30 $165 Timothy Grass Small Square Premium 1000 $225 Triticale Large Square Good 70 $125 KLAMATH BASIN: No new sales confirmed. CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 6,297 22,408 18,865 Compared to July 17: All classes traded slow on moderate de- mand. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, moisture associat- ed with Hurricane Dolores triggered showers and thunderstorms across parts of southern California and western Arizona. Some lo- cally heavy accumulations (2 to 4 inches) and flash flooding were reported. This storm left many brokers in a hard spot to find non rained on hay. The Intermountain region also had rain that caught a lot of second cutting on the ground. Prices on dry cow hay con- tinue to drop week to week while test hay is getting harder to find. REGION 1: North Intermountain Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and Plumas. Tons Price Alfalfa Premium 300 $200 Good 600 $165 Fair 200 $100 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Premium 25 $260 124 $260 Orchard Grass Premium 26 $300 374 Good/Prem. 125 25 Premium 100 Orchard Grass Small Square $270-280 $240 $240 $220 Brome Grass 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 Good/Prem. 90 $200 Good 225 $80 300 $198 Brome Grass Good 225 $260 REGION 3: Northern San Joaquin Valley Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu- olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa. Tons Price Wheat Straw Good 25 $80 1000 $125 REGION 4: Central San Joaquin Valley Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo. Tons Price Alfalfa Good 800 $170 200 $200 75 $240 REGION 5: Southern California Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West- ern San Bernardino. Tons Price Alfalfa Good/Prem. 50 $220 REGION 6: Southeast California Alfalfa Good 1000 $125 Sudan Good/Prem. 174 $165 Bermuda Straw Good 234 $60 IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 24 This week FOB Last week Last year 2,800 9,920 8,846 Compared to July 17: Premium Alfalfa firm. Trade slow to mod- erate. Demand light to moderate, very light demand on low quality supplies. Scattered rain showers throughout the trade area makes putting up quality hay hard to do. Retail/feed store/horse steady. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless oth- erwise stated. Tons Price Alfalfa Large Square Premium 330 $175-220 Fair/Good 1000 $120-130 Utility 100 $90 Alfalfa Small Square Premium 100 $160 Timothy Grass Large Square Fair/Good 500 $105 Mixed Grass Large Square Fair/Good 500 $115 Oat Large Square Good 200 $110 Fair/Good 70 $120 Grain Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Portland Grains are stated in dollars per bushel or hundredweight (cwt.) except feed grains traded in dollars per ton. National grain report bids are for rail delivery unless truck indicated. CALIFORNIA GRAINS (USDA Market News) Portland July 24 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) Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Rail Tulane County NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa $9.25 Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA 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/Tulane $9.17 Rail Single Car Units via BNSF Chino Valley-Los Angeles $9.79-9.83 Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa $9.90 Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $9.47 Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $9.47 SORGHUM-U.S. No. 2 Yellow Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley via BNSF Single $11.70 Truck Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA OATS-U.S. No. 1 White Truck Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA 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 $12.25 Los Angeles 13 percent Protein $12.45 Los Angeles 14 percent Protein $12.65 Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein Los Angeles 12 percent Protein NA Los Angeles 13 percent Protein $11.28 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 Tulane NA Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley $11.12 Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa $10.75 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 ending June 17: WHEAT, U.S. No. 1, Hard Amber Durum for Flour Milling Imperial $16.50 Spot Del Locally PORTLAND GRAIN (USDA Market News) Portland July 23 PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY Cash wheat bids for July delivery ended the reporting week on Thursday, July 23, lower compared to July 17 noon bids for July delivery. September wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, July 23, lower as follows compared to July 17 closes: Chicago wheat futures were 40.75 cents lower at $5.2150, Kansas City wheat fu- tures were 36.25 cents lower at $5.17 and Minneapolis wheat fu- tures trended 29.25 cents lower at $5.5275. Chicago September corn futures trended 26.75 cents lower at $4.0325 while August soybean futures closed nine cents lower at $10.10. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during July for ordinary protein were not available today or last week as most exporters were not issuing bids for near- by delivery. There were no white club wheat premiums for this week or last week. One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for July delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $6.30.75-7.0075, mostly $6.73 and bids for White Club Wheat were $6.8075-7.6575, mostly 7.23. Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White wheat ordinary protein were not available this week, as most exporters were not issuing bids for July delivery. Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were also not available. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any pro- tein were as follows: August New Crop $6.7575-6.9575, September $6.75756.88, October $6.6450-6.91 and November $6.7450-6.94. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein during July were $6.4650-6.5650, mostly $6.5150, 40.75 to 43.50 cents per bushel lower compared to $7.03-7.38, mostly $7.34 last week. There were no white club wheat premiums for guaranteed 10.5 percent protein this week or last week. Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein began the reporting week on July 17 at mostly $6.89, be- fore falling each day during the week to mostly $6.6575 on July 20, mostly $6.5675 on July 21 and mostly $6.5175 on July 22. July 23 bids ended the reporting week at the weekly low of mostly $6.5150. Bids were pressured by the lower Chicago September soft red winter wheat futures. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent protein were as follows: August New Crop $6.5150-6.6150, September $6.5150-6.6650, October and Novem- ber $6.5375-6.7375. Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for July delivery were 36.25 cents per bushel lower compared to July 16 noon bids. The lower Kansas City July wheat futures weighed on bids during the week. On July 23, bids were as follows: July $5.72- 5.82, mostly $5.77; August New Crop $5.72-5.97; September $5.72- 6.07; October $6.07-6.12 and November $6.09-6.12. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North- ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during July had no recent price comparison available. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. On July 23, bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: July $6.4275-6.4375, mostly $6.4275; Au- gust New Crop $6.4275-6.6775; September $6.5275-6.6775; Octo- ber and November $6.6975-6.8975. COARSE FEEDING GRAINS Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific North- west - BN shuttle trains for July delivery were 22.75 cents lower from $4.7525-4.8125 per bushel. Forward month corn bids were as follows: August $4.8225-4.8525, September $4.8425-4.8825, October $4.9275-4.9375, November $4.9375-4.9575 and Decem- ber $4.9375-4.9875. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific Northwest - BN shuttle trains for July delivery were not available. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: Sep- tember $10.5450-10.5550, October $10.5050-10.6250, November $10.6050-10.6750, December $10.6625-10.7125 and January $10.6625-10.7425. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy Wheat Oats for July deliv- ery held steady at $3.8475 per bushel. OUTSTANDING EXPORT SALES Outstanding U.S. white wheat export sales as of July 16, for the marketing year beginning June 1, 2015, and ending May 31, 2016, in 1000 MT, totaled 974.2 thousand MT compared to 991.1 thou- sand MT one week ago, and 1,060.4 thousand MT one year ago. Outstanding white wheat export sales for the 2015-16 marketing year were to the following countries in 1000 MT: Philippines 154.0, South Korea 132.2, Japan 125.5, Nigeria 60.5, Sri Lanka 60.0, Thailand 46.2, Guatemala 41.5, Indonesia 30.0, Taiwan 23.6, El Salvador 10.9, Malaysia 8.9, Canada 2.0, Vietnam 1.3, Hong Kong 1.1 and total unknown 276.5. Accumulated white wheat export ship- ments as of July 16, in 1000 MT for the 2015-16 marketing year, totaled 276.5 compared to 478.0 one year ago. Outstanding U.S. barley export sales as of July 16, for the mar- keting year beginning June 1, 2015, and ending May 31, 2016, in 1000 MT, totaled 5.8 compared to 5.8 last week and 8.3 one year ago. Outstanding barley export sales for the 2015-16 marketing year in 1000 MT were to the following countries in 1000 MT: Japan 3.5, South Korea 1.5 and Taiwan 0.8. Accumulated barley export shipments as of July 16, were 3.0 thousand MT compared to 16.1 one year ago. PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS There were 7 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs- day, July 23, with four docked compared to 12 on July 17 with five docked. There were no confirmed export sales this week from the Commodity Credit Corporation of the USDA. COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri Extension Service says con- tinued wet weather has led to serious problems in the state’s wheat fields. Food and Agricultural Pol- icy Research Institute director Pat Westhoff says farmers have had a hard time harvest- ing the wheat crop, and dis- ease now is making it hard or even impossible to sell. He says the Wheat Belt has been hit by vomitoxin, which in higher concentra- tions causes feed refusal and poor weight gain in some livestock. Vomitoxin levels are high enough in much of the affected wheat that grain elevators won’t accept it. Westhoff says making things even worse is that the large global wheat crop has kept prices lower than pro- ducers had hoped. The good news for consumers is that prices for wheat products likely won’t go up. Potato Market Reports Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA Agricultural Market Service 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) July 25 Market Commentary: Idaho Russet carton prices continue to decline, as industry focus shifts to the 2015 crop. SHIPPING AREA FWA Chg GRI Chg 70 ct Chg 10 lb. Film Chg IDAHO BURBANKS $10.56 -$1.01 $4.24 -$0.61 $24 -$3 $4.50 $0 COLUMBIA BASIN $15.48 NA $7.21 NA $26 NA $8 NA 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. July 24 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was at a standstill this week. There were no confirmed trades. Most are at a point where they are just collecting pools that were sheared late to store until the fall as warehouses restock. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was at a standstill. There were no confirmed trades this week. All trades reported on a weighted average. Domestic wool tags No. 1 $.60-.70 No. 2 $.50-.60 No. 3 $.40-.50 NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY (USDA Market News) San Angelo, Texas July 24 Compared to last week: Slaughter lambs were $7.50 lower, except at Sioux Falls, S.D., they were $3-7 higher. Slaughter ewes were weak to $10 lower. Feeder lambs were steady to $10 higher. At San Angelo, Texas, 5,814 head sold in a one-day sale. Equity Electronic Auction sold 335 slaughter lambs in North Dakota. In direct trading slaughter ewes were not tested; feeder lambs were $4-8 higher. 7,700 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were firm. 6,500 head of formula sales under 65 lbs. were not well tested; 65-75 lbs. were $10-12 higher; 75-85 lbs. had no comparison and over 85 lbs. were $3-6 higher. 5,277 carcasses sold with 45 lbs. and down $3.88 higher; 45-55 lbs. $4.08 lower; 55-65 lbs. $.38 lower and 65 lbs. and up $.28-.82 higher. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3: San Angelo: shorn and wooled 100-150 lbs. $120-144. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $220-236; 60-70 lbs. $188-200; 70-80 lbs. $170-182; 80-90 lbs. $160- 176; 90-115 lbs. $ 150-155. DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent): 7,700 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 121- 172 lbs. $150-165.50 (wtd avg $156.44); load 215-220 lbs. $125. California: 2,400 Feeder Lambs 70-80 lbs. $183; 120-130 lbs. $169-173. SLAUGHTER EWES: San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $60-72; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $72-82; Utility 1-2 (thin) $60-70; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $50- 59; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $42-50. FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: 60-80 lbs. $180-191; 80-95 lbs. $180-185. REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: hair ewe lambs 78 lbs. $226 cwt; 80-85 lbs. $200-218 cwt; 94 lbs. $190 cwt. NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice and Prime 1-4: Weight Wtd. avg. 45 lbs. Down $484.26 45-55 lbs. $399.24 55-65 lbs. $343.93 65-75 lbs. $322.38 75-85 lbs. $305.25 85 lbs. and up $286.44 Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in- spection for the week to date totaled 36,000 com- pared with 37,000 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 July 24 Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 40 cents higher for Jumbo, 55 cents higher for Extra Large, 53 cents higher for Large and 42 cents higher for Medium and Small. The un- dertone is steady to higher. Offerings are light. Retail and food service demand is mostly fairly good. Warehouse buying interest is good to very good. Supplies are light. Market activity is active. Small benchmark price $2.55. Size Range Size Range Jumbo 324 Extra large 322 Large 308 Medium 275 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 316-328 Extra large 303-315 Large 293-302 Medium 255-264 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. July 24 Current week Last week 767 46 Compared to July 17: Slaughter cows and bulls $3-4 lower. Feeder market steady to $10 lower. Off lots and singles $40-0 below top of- ferings. Slaughter cows: Breakers $100-106, $107- 113 high dress; Boning $92-99. Bulls 1 and 2: $100-134; $135-144 high dress. Feeder steers: 450-500 lbs. $260-290; 500- 550 lbs. $230-260; 550-600 lbs. $221-242; 600-650 lbs. $218-240; 650-700 lbs. $200-215; 700-750 lbs. $196-210; 750-800 lbs. $190-206; 800-900 lbs. $170-196. Feeder heifers: 500-550 lbs. $210-221; 550-600 lbs. $210- 227; 600-650 lbs. $200- 212; 650-700 lbs. $200-211; 750-800 lbs. $175-182. Pairs: Too few for market test. Calvy cows: No market test. Washington TOPPENISH (Toppenish Livestock Auction) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 24 This week Last week Last year 1,600 1,400 1,525 Compared to July 17 at the same market: Stocker cattle less than 800 lbs. steady to weak. Feeder cattle more than 800 lbs. firm to $3 higher. Trade active with good demand. Slaughter cows steady. Slaughter bulls $3-4 higher. Trade slow with light to moderate de- mand. Slaughter cows 52 percent, Slaughter bulls 10 percent, and feeders 38 percent of the supply. The feeder supply included 57 percent steers and 43 percent heifers. Near 84 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300- 400 lbs. $277; 500-600 lbs. $228- 235; 600- 700 lbs. $220-225; 700-800 lbs. $198-206.50; 800-900 lbs. $ 191.50-199; 800-900 lbs. $169 , Fleshy. Large 1-2: 900-1000 lbs. $187. Small 4: 500-600 lbs. $130. Feeder Holstein Steers: Large 2-3: 500-600 lbs. $187; 700-800 lbs. $174; 800-900 lbs. $164. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400- 500 lbs. $242; 500-600 lbs. $219- 221; 600- 700 lbs. $203.50-207; 700-800 lbs. $185-190; 800-900 lbs. $ 181-187. Large 1-2: 900-1000 lbs. $154-155. Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $ 191; 900-1000 lbs. $148; 1100-1200 lbs. $135-138; 1300-1400 lbs. $124. Small and Medium 4: 600-700 lbs. $177. Slaughter Cows: Boning 80-85 percent lean 1300-1900 lbs. $94-99; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1200-1700 EUGENE (Eugene Livestock Auction) Junction City, Ore. July 25 Total head count: 325. Market conditions compared to last week: Cows and bulls off $5-10; feeders steady. Top cows: High dressers $95-106, low dress- ers $80-93; top 10 $93.95. Top bulls: High dressers $111.50-133. Feeder bulls: 300-500 lbs. $224; 500-700 lbs. $130-214; 700-900 lbs. $148-170. Choice steers: Medium to large frame No. 1 and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $247; 500-600 lbs. $190-219.50; 600-700 lbs. $190-216.50; 700- 800 lbs. $165-192; 800-900 lbs. $160-16.50. Choice heifers: medium to large frame No. 1 and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $204; 500-600 lbs. $175-207; 600-700 lbs. $160-185; 700-800 lbs. $160-177; 800 up lbs. $150-177 Bred cows: $1000-1325 head. Pairs: $1825-1985 pair. Head calves (up to 250 lbs.): Beef $550 head, dairy $70-150 head. Feeder lambs: 50-90 lbs. $120-167; 90-130 lbs. $110-140. MADRAS (Central Oregon Livestock Auction) July 20 Total head: 220. Baby calves: NA. Steers: 300-400 lbs. $250-275; 400-500 lbs. $240-260; 500-600 lbs. $230-250; 600-700 lbs. $220-235; 700-800 lbs. $205-220; 800-900 lbs. $185-205. Bulls: High yield. $132-136; thinner $125-130. Heifers: 300-400 lbs. $240-260; 400-500 lbs. $230-245; 500-600 lbs. $220-235; 600-700 lbs. $200-220; 700-800 lbs. $175-200. Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $160-175. Cows: Heiferettes $140; Feeder cows $105; high-yield $110; medium-yield $100; low-yield $90. VALE (Producers Livestock Market) July 22 Total receipts: 231 head. Comments: Cheaper outlook on most classes without a very good test. Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $262-298; 400-500 lbs. $241-368; 500-600 lbs. $232-253. Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $223-267; 400- 500 lbs. $214-246; 500-600 lbs. $218-237. Yearling steers : 600-700 lbs. $223-234; 700- 800 lbs. $203-209; 800-900 lbs. $196-205. Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $211-221. Butcher cows: $117-136. Thin shelly cows: $76-89. Younger heiferettes: $114-132. all-time high with the average price for all beef sold at retail averaging $6.11/lb. Pork prices have been declining after hitting their all-time highs last summer, the average retail pork prices for June averaged $3.70/lb. The July 1 Cattle Inventory Report was re- leased on July 24 showing ranchers expand- ing the cattle herd for the first time since 2006. All cattle and calves came in at 98.4 million head, 2 percent higher than a year ago. Highlights included beef cows at 30.5 mil- lion head, up 3 percent from a year ago; Re- placement heifers were at 4.90 million head, up 7 percent; steers over 500 lbs. 14.1 million head, up 3 percent. The 2015 calf crop is ex- pected to be 34.3 million head, up 1 percent from last year. Cattle on Feed Report was mostly neutral to slightly bearish with Cattle on Feed for July 1 at 102 percent; Placements at 101 percent were larger than expected; Marketings were at 95 percent. Grain is pretty much now focused on yield potential for this year’s crop. Crop variations will be widespread as the crop potential for the Western Corn Belt is in much better shape than the potential of the eastern Corn Belt. Auction volume included 55 percent over 600 lbs. and 35 percent heifers. AUCTIONS This week Last week Last year 93,700 121,100 122,500 WASHINGTON 1,600. 84 pct over 600 lbs. 43 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 700- 750 lbs 202.49; 800-850 lbs. $197.60. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 650-700 lbs. $206.14; 700-750 lbs. $186.27; 800-850 lbs. $184.73; 850-900 lbs. $184.51. DIRECT This week Last week Last year 29,000 72,200 39,800 SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) 600. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Hol- steins: Large 3 325 lbs. $270 Current Del. NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 4500. 69 pct over 600 lbs. 39 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Future Delivery FOB Price 450-500 lbs. $296 for December-Janu- ary Idaho; 550-600 lbs. $243-255 for Septem- ber-October WA-OR; 600 lbs. $230 calves for September-October Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $208- 210 for September-October Idaho. Large 1-2 Future Delivery FOB Price 900-950 lbs. $205 Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 800-850 lbs. $200 WA. Future Deliv- ery FOB Price 500-600 lbs. $223-233 for Sep- tember-October Washington-Idaho; 800-850 lbs. $203-204 for September-October Idaho. NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 24 This week Last week Last year 4,500 7,850 3.850 Compared to July 17: Feeder cattle steady to $4 lower, due in part to lower CME prices. Trade moderate with light to moderate demand. The feeder supply included 61 percent steers and 39 percent heifers. Near 69 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. Current sales are up to 14 days delivery. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Future Deliv- ery FOB Price: 450-500 lbs. $296 for Decem- ber-January Idaho; 550-600 lbs. $243-255 for September-October Washington-OR; 600 lbs. $230 calves for September-October Idaho; 850- 900 lbs. $208-210 for September-October Idaho; Large 1-2: Future Delivery FOB Price: 900-950 lbs. $205 Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 800-850 lbs. $200 Washington. Future Delivery FOB Price: 500-600 lbs. $223-233 for September-October Washington-Idaho; 800-850 lbs. $203-204 for September-October Idaho. lbs. $92-97; Lean Light 90 percent lean 900- 1250 lbs. $80-86. Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1300-2500 lbs. $135-146. Bred Heifers (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2: 972 lbs. $1900 1-3 mos. bred. Oregon 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 July 24 Compared to July 17: Kansas live sales are $2 lower. In Nebraska a few early dressed sales $2 lower. Boxed beef prices July 24 averaged $229.80 and is $1.55 lower than July 17. The Choice/ Select spread is $2.40. Slaughter cattle on a na- tional basis for negotiated cash trades through July 24 totaled about 14,000 head. The previ- ous week’s total head count was 3,399 head. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400 lbs. $146-146.50; Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers: $232-233. South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 35-65 percent Choice, 1100- 1400 lbs. $144-147. Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows mostly $1-3 lower, with exception of lean cows trading steady to $2 higher. Slaughter bulls mostly steady. USDA’s Cutter cow carcass cut-out value July 24 was $227.93 down $.09 from July 17. NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE (Federal-State Market News) St. Joseph, Mo. July 24 This week Last week Last year 162,600 554,900 229,200 Compared to July 17: The downtrend con- tinues in the feeder cattle markets as feeder cattle and calves traded unevenly steady to $5 lower early in the week turning mostly $7- 10 lower from midweek on. Long liquidation selling and feeder cattle futures looking at sharply lower feeder cat- tle index pressured prices. The feeder cattle market is starting to break hard over the last several weeks and keeps buyers and sellers on the defensive and more conscious of bearish fundamentals. We have seen high prices continued to be paid for feeder’s premium to the fat cattle. Pric- es paid for feeder cattle up till now for the most part have been very good for the backgrounder and the cow/calf man. But break-evens are so distant that it’s looking impossible for any re- sults to be positive for the cattle feeder. Northern Livestock Video out of Billings, Mont., held a three-day video auction this week selling over 93,000 head of top quality feeder calves and yearlings. Some of the top prices paid included 585 head of value added (all nat- ural) yearling steers weighing 950 lbs. sold for $230 for November delivery. There was near 3000 head of 900-950 lb. steers averaging 910 lbs. that sold with a weighted average price of $216.84 for Septem- ber delivery. Boxed-beef values continue to washout with very few upside moves since before the Fourth of July, as carcass values still try to carve out a summer low. Boxed-beef prices have reached their lowest levels since June 2014, as Choice product on July 24 closed down $1.89 at $230.70. The market has been worried about con- sumer beef demand for a long time with concerns over increasing meat supplies of pork and chicken. June beef stocks were at 467.136 million lbs. which is 1.9 percent lower than last month but 30.4 percent higher than last year. Boneless beef has seen large increases of imports mainly from Australia showing in- creases of 210 million lbs. compared to last year. June pork stocks were at 632.209 million lbs down 3.5 percent from last month and 17.6 percent higher than last year. Retail prices for June saw beef values hit an