14 CapitalPress.com
October 23, 2015
Farm Market Report
Hay Market Reports
Potato Market Reports
Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA
Agricultural Market Service
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • St. Joseph, Mo.-Portland
Hay prices are dollars per ton or dollars per bale when sold to
retail outlets. Basis is current delivery FOB barn or stack, or deliv-
ered customer as indicated. Grade guidelines used in this report
have the following relationship to Relative Feed Value (RFV), Acid
Detergent Fiber (ADF), TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients), or Crude
Protein (CP) test numbers:
Grade
RFV
ADF
TDN
CP
Supreme 185+
<27
55.9+
22+
Premium 170-185
27-29
54.5-55.9
20-22
Good
150-170
29-32
52.5-54.5
18-20
Fair
130-150
32-35
50.5-52.5
16-18
Utility
<130
36+
<50.5
<16
WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY
(Columbia Basin)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
Oct. 16
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
3,338
7,360
1,080
Compared to Oct. 9: Premium dairy Alfalfa weak. Supreme dairy
fourth cutting Alfalfa weak, as exporters and dairy interests alike
have enough inventories on hand. First cutting Timothy for export
steady. Trade remains slow. Plenty of last year’s feeder hay still on
the market. A strong dollar abroad is hurting exporters. Demand re-
mains light. Retail/Feedstore steady. Demand remains good.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Supreme
700
$175-195
Good
1300 $150-160
Fair/Good 645
$140
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
137
$260-265
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
56
$260-275
Timothy Grass Mid Square
Fair/Good 250
$155
Wheat Straw Mid Square
Good
250
$60
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
Oct. 16
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
9,136
12,780
21,573
Compared to Oct. 9: Prices trended generally steady compared
to week ago prices. Export sales continue to be slow. Retail/Stable
demand for all types of hay from Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Was-
co counties continues to be good. Many producers have decided
to hold on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher prices. Some
producers are have had their water rights cut off due to the drought.
Tons Price
CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
31
$230-250
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Small Square
Premium
50
$240
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
130
$230-250
Meadow Grass Small Square Fair/Good 2
$150
Grass Mix-Five Way Small
Square
Premium
20
$290
EASTERN OREGON
Alfalfa Small Square
Good
200
$150
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Large Square
Premium
32
$170
Good
700
$150
Wheat/Barley Straw
Large Square
Utility
400
$45
HARNEY COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Premium
54
$210-220
Fair
125
$157
Mid Square
Premium
150
$200
Good
150
$175
KLAMATH BASIN
Alfalfa Large Square
Premium
725
$210-225
Small Square
Supreme
55
$240
Premium
1500 $220
Wheat Large Square
Fair
30
$100
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Supreme
250
$285
Prem./Sup. 1000 $220
Premium
1000 $210
Good
240
$220
Fair
150
$150
Small Square
Premium
12
$220
Good
60
$200
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Good
20
$150
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
300
$260
Timothy Grass Small Square Premium
30
$260
Oat Large Square
Premium
100
$150
Good
200
$115
Barley Large Square
Premium
220
$110
Triticale Large Square
Premium
800
$140
Good/Prem. 100
$125
Good
300
$110
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
Oct. 16
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
4,500
6,800
13,180
Compared to Oct. 9: Supreme, Premium and Good Alfalfa steady to
firm. Trade slow this week as buyers take a wait-and-see attitude. Ex-
porters continue to have trouble finding 0 percent GMO-free hay. De-
mand light to moderate with continued heavy supplies of feeder hay.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Supreme
1500 $200
Premium
1500 $170-175
Good
1300 $150
Fair
200
$85
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
Oct. 16
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
25,597
14,910
5,150
Compared to Oct. 9: All classes traded slow on very light demand.
According to the Oct. 9 Crop Production report, forecasts all U.S.
hay production in 2015 at 142.4 million tons, up 2.6 million from
2014 due to increased yields.
Tons
Price
REGION 1: NORTH INTERMOUNTAIN
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and
Plumas.
Alfalfa
Supreme
125
$190
300
$355
REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter,
Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento.
Alfalfa
Supreme
200
$230
Prem./Sup. 1100 $190
Good
460
$150
50
$170
Fair/Good 800
$100
REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Alfalfa
Supreme
200
$240
50
$250
Prem./Sup. 4000 $245
th
15 Annual
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
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.
Oct. 16
Current week Last week
1,099
1,837
Compared to Oct. 9: Slaughter cows and bulls
$2-3 higher. Feeder cows and heiferettes also bet-
ter. Cattle under 600 lbs. steady to $9 higher. Over
600 lbs. $5-10 lower than the previous week’s big
run of yearlings. Off lots and singles $30-75 below
top offerings.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $78-82, $88-83 high
dress; Boning $70-77; Cutters $60-70.
Bulls 1 and 2: $80-105; $110-117 high dress.
Feeder steers: 300-400 lbs. $220-250; 400-450
lbs. $215-233; 450-500 lbs. $200-233; 500-550
lbs. $190-221.50; 550-600 lbs. $190-212; 600-650
lbs. $182-200; 650-700 lbs. $177-191; 700-750 lbs.
$166-179.50; 750-800 lbs. $160-178.50; 800-900
lbs. $152-167.
Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $205-227.50; 400-
450 lbs. $205-222.50; 450-500 lbs. $185-211; 500-
550 lbs. $175-194; 550-600 lbs. $170-189; 600-650
lbs. $165-180; 650-700 lbs. $160-173; 700-750 lbs.
$174; 800-900 lbs. $130-149.
3 Big Days!
NOVEMBER
17 • 18 • 19
4 Big Buildings!
•
•
•
•
•
Free Core Pesticide Training
& Other Extension Classes
Forklift Certification Classes
Antique Farm Equipment Show
160+ Vendors and
Dozens of New Exhibitors!
Washington
Back by Popular Demand:
Dine Around Oregon
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Meetings: Oregon Farm Bureau Luncheon (by invitation) 503-399-1701
Training: CORE training - Details to be announced - no registration required.
2 to 4 credit hours 10:00am to 3:00pm
Text 541-967-7173 for reservations (Ltd. Availability) 1:30-2:30pm
First Aid, CPR & AED:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Meetings: Pennington Seed Growers Breakfast (by invitation).
Rabo AgriFinance Luncheon (by invitation).
SPECIAL: Wednesday is Youth Ag Education Day
Forklift
FREE ADMISSION for student groups (restrictions apply)
For Details: http://www.wvaexpo.com/classes
Transportation Scholarships: Doerfler Farms Scholarship Application
Certification - classroom and driving training
FREE with admission, but registration is required. 10:15am to 3:15pm
To Register: http://www.wvaxpo.com/classes
Dine Around Oregon - Back by popular demand! 5:00pm -8:00pm
$10 Admission in advance online at www.wvaexpo.com (or at the door while tickets last).
Ticketed progressive, hearty dinner event featuring foods and products from Oregon. 4-6 serving
stations throughout the Expo. Enjoy Oregon beef, lamb and cheese, produce, wine and brew!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Training: CORE
training - No registration required - 2 to 4 credit hours (Repeat of Tuesday)
• 10:00am - Noon • Paul Jepson, OSU - Principles of IPM; The Role of Pesticides
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm • Michael Odenthal, ODA - ODA Updates. This class will make pesticide users
aware of changes and updates to Oregon’s laws, rules and regulations relating to pesticides and
pesticide use. The discussion will cover licensing changes, as well as upcoming changes to pesticide
product labels. The presentations will also discuss new regulations and changes from the federal
level that could impact you.
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm • Michael Odenthal, ODA - Lessons Learned 2015 - Discussion of enforcement
cases related to agriculture and forestry cases and lessons we can learn from them. Special emphasis
on drift cases and coexistence.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2015 WILLAMETTE VALLEY AG EXPO SPONSORS:
• Ag Chains Plus, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Ag West Supply, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Boshart Trucking, Full Sponsor, FFA Transportation to the event
• Citizens Bank, Full Sponsor, Welcome Bags
• Coastal Farm & Ranch, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Complete Wireless, Full Sponsor, Complimentary coffee for vendors
• Crop Production Services, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Doerfler Farms, Full Sponsor, FFA transportation to the event
• Farmland Tractor, Full Sponsor, Antique Farm Equipment display
• GK Machine, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Les Schwab Tires, Ag Scholarship Sponsor
• Linn-Benton Tractor, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• NW 94 Sales, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Northwest Farm Credit Service, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Overton Safety Training, Full Sponsor, Forklift Training
• Pape Machinery, Partial Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon
• Peterson Machinery, Full Sponsor, Dine Around Oregon Presenting Sponsor
• Sunbelt Rentals, Full Sponsor, Sunbelt Arena
• Wilco, Full Sponsor, CORE Training
• And thank you to the following Dine Around Oregon sponsors: NORPAC Foods
• Reed Anderson Ranches • Manning Farms • Spring Acres Cranberries
• Oregon Dairy Women • 4 Spirits Distillery • Oregon Cattleman’s Association
Linn County Fair & Expo Center
For Expo updates,
follow us
on Facebook!
3700 Knox Butte Rd.
I-5 @ Exit 234 • Albany, OR
(20 Minutes South of Salem)
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
Oct. 16
This week
Last week
Last year
1,650
2,000
1,645
Compared to Oct. 9 at the same market: Stocker
and feeder cattle steady to $5 higher. Trade active
with good demand. Slaughter cows and bulls firm to
$5 higher. Trade active with good demand. Slaugh-
ter cows 66 percent, Slaughter bulls 10 percent, and
feeders 24 percent of the supply. The feeder supply
included 45 percent steers and 55 percent heifers.
Near 70 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400
lbs. $232.50; 400-500 lbs. $210-212; 400-500 lbs.
$235, Thin Fleshed; 500-600 lbs. $185; 500-600 lbs.
$200, Thin Fleshed; 600-700 lbs. $184-190, Calves;
600-700 lbs. $175, Full; 700-800 lbs. $165-175. Me-
dium and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $135. Large 1-2:
900-1000 lbs. $160. Small and Medium 1-2: 400-
500 lbs. $186; 500-600 lbs. $181. Small 4: 600-700
lbs. $85, Mexican Origin.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-500
lbs. $195; 500-600 lbs. $188.50; 600-700 lbs. $174-
175, Calves; 800-900 lbs. $132.50, Full. Medium
and Large 4: 900-1000 lbs. $107.50. Large 1-2:
800-900 lbs. $140; 900-1000 lbs. $145. Large 2-3:
1200-1300 lbs. $102.50-103. Small and Medium
1-2: 400-500 lbs. $181; 400-500 lbs. $170, Full; 500-
600 lbs. $175.
Slaughter Cows: Boning 80-85 percent lean
1700-2100 lbs. $79-85; Lean 85-90 percent lean
1500-2000 lbs. $78-83l Lean Light 90 percent lean
900-1200 lbs. $59-66, Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade
1-2 1500-2700 lbs. $107-115.50.
Bred Heifers (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2:
1150-1200 lbs. $1575 3-mos. bred. Small and Medi-
um 3-4: 1039 lbs. $1250 9 mos. bred.
Bred Cows (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2:
Mid-Aged (5-8 yrs. old) 1250-1450 lbs. $1685-1700
1-3 mos. Bred; Aged (9-11 yrs. old) 1200-1250
lbs. $1350 1-3 mos. bred; Broken Mouth 1200 lbs.
$1100 1-3 mos. bred.
Oregon
MADRAS
(Central Oregon Livestock Auction)
Oct. 12
Total head: 1,550.
Steers: 300-400 lbs. $225-250; 400-500 lbs.
$218-235; 500-600 lbs. $200-218; 600-700 lbs.
$175-200; 700-800 lbs. $165-175; 800-900 lbs.
$155-165.
Bulls: High yield. $98-110; mostly $95; thinner
$88-95.
Bred cows: First calf heifers $1350-1500.
Heifers: 300-400 lbs. $210-220; 400-500 lbs.
$180-210; 500-600 lbs. $170-180; 600-700 lbs.
$155-170; 700-800 lbs. $150-165.
Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $130-150.
Cows: Heiferettes $120; Feeder cows $75; high-
yield $80; medium-yield $72; low-yield $65.
VALE
(Producers Livestock Market)
Oct. 14
Total receipts: 1332 head.
Comments: $8-12 higher on the light calf market
under 500 lbs.; 500-600 wt. Steer calves steady. 600
wt. calves $2-5.
Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $254-298; 400-500 lbs.
$195-250; 500-600 lbs. $1183-220. Heifer calves:
300-400 lbs. $231-233; 400-500 lbs. $163-197.75;
500-600 lbs. $171-191.
Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $175-194; 700-800
lbs. $169-178; 800-900 lbs. $167-176. Yearling heif-
ers: 600-700 lbs. $151-174; 700-800 lbs. $149-168;
800-900 lbs. $139-163.
Stock cows (young): $1500-1800; (B.M.): $975-
1300. Butcher cows: $74-82. Thin shelly cows:
$51-69. Younger heiferettes: $126. Butcher bulls:
$72-86.
Idaho
CORE Pesticide
Training
www.wvaexpo.com
541-967-3871
43-2/#5
CALDWELL
(Treasure Valley Livestock)
Oct. 16
Steers (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $121; 400-500 lbs.
$148; 500-600 lbs. $134; 800 lbs. and up $118.
Steers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $165; 200-300 lbs.
$225; 300-400 lbs. $375; 400-500 lbs. $375.
Heifers (wt.): 500-600 lbs. $95; 800-900 lbs. $100;
900-1000 lbs. $92.75; 1100-1200 lbs. $88.50; 1200
lbs. And up $103.
Heifers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $160; 300-400 lbs.
$375; 400-500 lbs. $375.
Bull calves (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $125.
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)
Oct. 17
A post-harvest price rally continues in Idaho. Russet prices continue to move higher, with limited
supplies available for immediate shipment.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$13.58
$0.89
IDAHO NORKOTAHS
$13.25
$0.87
COLUMBIA BASIN
$12.24
$0.20
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
$5.98
$0.53
$19.50
$2.50
$9.50
$0
$6.10
$0.65
$18.50
$2
$9.50
$0
$5.20
$0.12
$15
$0
$9
$0.50
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.
Oct. 16
Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was at
a standstill this week. There were no confirmed
trades. There is still optimism that going into the
fall and early winter there will be some stability
in the market making it easier to trade. Wool is
still being collected from fall shorn lambs to try to
market further down the road.
European interest continues to rise and could
help to move some wool in the latter part of fall
and early into winter. 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
Oct. 16
Compared to Oct. 9: Slaughter lambs were
steady to $3 lower. Slaughter ewes were steady
to $5 lower, except at Sioux Falls, S.D., and Ft.
Collins, Colo., where they were $2-12 higher.
Feeder lambs were very uneven, mostly weak to
$10 lower.
At San Angelo, Texas, 4,159 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 and feeder lambs
were steady. 6,400 head of negotiated sales of
slaughter lambs were steady to $1 lower. 9,000
head of formula sales under 55 lbs. were not well
tested; 55-75 lbs. were $5-8 lower; 75-85 lbs.
were steady to $3 higher and over 85 lbs. were
not well tested last week. 6,111 carcasses sold
with 45 lbs. and down $18.25 higher; 45-55 lbs.
$.94 higher; 55-75 lbs. $.35-.57 lower and 75 lbs.
and up $.01-.90 higher.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:
San Angelo: shorn and wooled 100-150 lbs.
$140-154.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $232-244; 60-70 lbs.
$208-228; 70-80 lbs. $190-192, few $206; 80-90
lbs. $175-186; 90-110 lbs. $170-178.
DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent
shrink or equivalent):
6,400 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 115-
165 lbs. $150-167 (wtd avg $158.51).
SLAUGHTER EWES:
San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $64; Utility and
Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $66-78, high-yielding
$80; Utility 1-2 (thin) $50-60; Cull and Utility 1-2
(very thin) $44-50; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $32-42.
FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $200-210; 65 lbs.
$185; 70-90 lbs. $172-178.
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
$462.91
45-55 lbs.
$391
55-65 lbs.
$340.72
65-75 lbs.
$326.36
75-85 lbs.
$316.11
85 lbs. and up
$309.41
Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in-
spection for the week to date totaled 39,000 com-
pared with 40,000 last week and 39,000 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
Oct. 16
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 7 cents lower for Jumbo and Extra
Large, 4 cents lower for Large and unchanged for Medium and Small. The undertone is mostly steady
for all sizes. Retail demand ranges light to fairly good with additional ad activity noted for next week.
Movement into food service channels is light to moderate. Offerings are moderate with supplies reported
as mostly moderate. Market activity is slow to moderate. Small benchmark price $2.01.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
255
Extra large
242
Large
235
Medium
221
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
207-218
Extra large
168-180
Large
167-176
Medium
159-168
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
Oct. 16
Compared to Oct. 9: Slaughter cattle trade
mostly at a standstill. Limit sales took place in Ne-
braska but not enough for a market trend. Higher
undertone was noted. Boxed beef prices Oct. 16
averaged $209.02 and is up $8.58 from Oct. 9.
The Choice/Select spread is $5.33. Slaughter cat-
tle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades
through Friday afternoon totaled about 21,474
head. The previous week’s total head count was
77,845 head.
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis Steers and
Heifers 35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400 lbs.
few $129-133; Dressed Basis Steers and Heifers
few $202-205.
South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers
and Heifers 35-65 percent Choice, 1100-1400 lbs.
few in Kansas $130.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows Steady to $1 lower.
Slaughter bulls mostly steady. USDA’s Cutter
Cow cut-out value Friday afternoon was $190.27
down $5.73 from Oct. 9.
NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
St. Joseph, Mo.
Oct. 16
This week
Last week
Last year
306,200
247,100
291,600
Compared to Oct. 9: Yearling feeder cattle sold
$5-15 higher with highest advances mostly early
in the week as auctions first part of the week were
catching up with major advances from middle of
last week. Direct sales were mostly $3-10 higher.
Feeder calves traded $10-20 higher with instanc-
es $25-30 higher.
The cattle complex has experienced a good re-
covery from the lows made the first of the month.
Feeder prices had finally fallen to a point where
replacing feeder cattle became attractive to buy-
ers. Many buyers over the last several weeks
have been on the sidelines waiting to see when
and where this collapse would end.
The recovery this week has come at a time
when many cow-calf producers are getting ready
to sell their calf crop. From the middle of last week
and this week many strings of calves weighing
500-700 lbs. were again bringing well over the $2/
lb. mark as demand improved greatly. Many steer
calves weighing 500-550 lbs. are now selling in
a range from $220-240 throughout the Southern
and Northern Plains.
All participants in the cattle industry are leery
but no one wants to be caught with empty pens
or pastures when profit opportunities appear.
After a sharp break in the cattle complex and
now that the dust is settling, one positive take
is often when the market breaks sharply you
can also recover the same way as one extreme
leads to another.
Cattle futures on Oct. 16 closed with sharp tri-
ple-digit gains to end the week after a pull back
on Thursday. This is a market that has had much
price volatility over the last six weeks with Live
Cattle prices falling mostly $20-25 since the first
week of September has been an extreme.
Fed cattle markets last week traded much
higher with live sales ranging from $5-11 higher
and dressed sales $8-11 higher helping to propel
feeder cattle market higher. The fed cattle market
may have moved through the biggest of heavy
cattle but the market still has some cleaning up
to do. Packers still have ample front end supplies,
but keeping slaughter levels up will help to im-
prove the situation and regain currentness.
Boxed-beef has finally found its footing and has
followed cattle futures and fed cattle prices higher
with good gains this week. Retailers are starting
to be aggressive in looking for beef and anticipat-
ing more beef features after scrambling up some
bargain prices. Lower retail prices for beef items
should help stimulate domestic beef demand.
Choice Boxed-beef closed $.47 higher on Oct.
16 at $211.69 compared to Oct. 9 close at $203.
Corn harvest is 42 percent completed, com-
pared to 27 percent last week. Soybean harvest
continues to barrel along with 62 percent har-
vested compared to 42 percent last week. Winter
wheat planting is 64 percent completed compared
to 49 percent last week. Auction volume included
40 percent weighing over 600 lbs. and 38 percent
heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
246,300
184,800
247,800
WASHINGTON 4,200. 50 pct over 600 lbs. 43
pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 350-
400 lbs. $235.14; 450-500 lbs. $210.93; 500-550
lbs. $197.45; 550-600 lbs. $197.12; 600-650 lbs.
$193.47; 650-700 lbs. $189.21; 700-750 lbs.
$173.70. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 400-
450 lbs. $191.70; 450-500 lbs. $188.43; 500-550
lbs. $182.16; 550-600 lbs. $184.81; 600-650 lbs.
$179.31; 650-700 lbs. $175.29.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
40,900
54,200
23,800
SOUTHWEST
(Arizona-California-Nevada)
There were no direct sales reported.
NORTHWEST
(Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
2,200. 77 pct over 600 lbs. 31 pct heifers. Steers:
Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Prices 500
lbs. $227 Idaho; 600 lbs. $190 calves Idaho; 650
lbs. $205-206 value added Washington; 800-850
lbs. $173 Washington. Current Delivered Price
800-900 lbs. $180-187.50 Idaho; 900-950 lbs.
$178-184 Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2
Current FOB Prices 450-500 lbs. $217 Idaho;
550-600 lbs. $172 Washington. Current Delivered
Price 800-900 lbs. $168-178 Idaho.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
Oct. 16
This week
Last week
Last year
2,150
2,800
2,100
Compared to Oct. 9: feeder cattle $6-8 high-
er in a light test. Trade remains slow with good
demand as the higher CME market makes better
opportunities for feedlots to hedge supplies. The
feeder supply included 69 percent steers and 31
percent heifers. Near 77 percent of the supply
weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB weigh-
ing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or equivalent
and with a 5-12 cent slide on calves and a 3-8
cent slide on yearlings. Delivered prices include
freight, commissions and other expenses. Cur-
rent sales are up to 14 days delivery.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB
Prices: 500 lbs. $227 Idaho; 600 lbs. $190 calves
Idaho; 650 lbs. $205-206 value added Wash-
ington; 800-850 lbs. $173 Washington. Current
Delivered Price: 800-900 lbs. $180-187.50 Idaho;
900-950 lbs. $178-184 Idaho.
Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB
Prices: 450-500 lbs. $217 Idaho; 550-600 lbs.
$172 Washington. Current Delivered Price: 800-
900 lbs. $168-178 Idaho.