April 8, 2016
CapitalPress.com
13
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 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
1,537
1,906
2,180
Compared to March 25: Prices trended generally steady com-
pared to week ago prices in a very limited test. Many producers
have decided to hold on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher
prices or to feed to their own animals. Many hay producers are sold
out for the year.
Tons Price
CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES
Alfalfa Large Square
Good
66
$180
Mid Square
Good
110
$155
Fair
60
$130
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
9
$250-260
Good
16
$230
EASTERN OREGON
Alfalfa Large Square
Good
400
$150
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Small Square
Premium
10
$195
HARNEY COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Good
100
$125
Triticale Large Square
Good
150
$80
KLAMATH BASIN
Alfalfa Small Square
Prem./Sup. 25
$180
Good
50
$140-180
Fair
18
$140
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Small Square
Premium
4
$200
Fair
25
$100
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Supreme
69
$255
Small Square
Premium
30
$200
60
25
30
30
250
$200
$150
$150
$100
$180
Good
Premium
Fair/Good
Timothy Grass Small Square Premium
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
3,000
630
6,350
Compared to March 25: All grades of Alfalfa steady in a light
test. Trade very slow with continued light demand. Supplies remain
heavy. Retail/feed store/horse not tested this week.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Good
1000 $130
Fair/Good 2000 $85
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
8,890
15,495
12,726
Compared to March 25: All classes traded steady with a softer
undertone. Demand light to moderate. According to the California
Department of Water Resources, the average water content of the
high-elevation Sierra Nevada snowpack currently stands at 24 inch-
es, about 87 percent of average.
Tons Price
REGION 1: NORTH INTERMOUNTAIN
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and
Plumas.
Alfalfa
Good
350
$100
REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter,
Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacra-
mento.
Alfalfa
Good/Prem. 250
$170-200
Good
100
$200
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Good/Prem. 50
$180
Orchard Grass
Good/Prem. 50
$200
Oat
Good
50
$125
Rice Straw
Good
125
$87.50
REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Alfalfa
Supreme
100
$250
Prem./Sup. 50
$190
Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square
Fair/Good
Almond Hulls
Oat
Good
Good
175
100
600
100
50
$150
$170
$50
$85
$110
REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo.
Alfalfa
Supreme
100
$250
REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West-
ern San Bernardino.
No sales confirmed.
REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA
Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and
Imperial.
Alfalfa
Premium
670
$165-175
2000 $160
1990 $170
1000 $170
Good/Prem. 250
$160-165
50
$170
200
$155
Fair/Good 480
$100-130
WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY
(Columbia Basin)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 1
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
9,950
6,330
1,910
Compared to March 25: All grades of domestic and export Alfalfa
steady. First reported sales of new crop this week. Trade slow to
moderate with continued light demand. Exporters are having a chal-
lenging time marketing supplies. Retail/Feedstore steady. Demand
remains good.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Premium
1000 $125
Alfalfa Small Square
Good/Prem. 200
$120-130
200
$140-160
180
$185-190
Fair/Good 60
$130
Alfalfa Standing
Good/Prem. 2700 $108
Fair/Good 2700 $108
Utility/Fair 2700 $108
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Small Square
Premium
25
$265
Orchard Grass Small Square Good/Prem. 100
$210
Timothy Grass Small Square Good/Prem. 85
$175
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 1
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for March delivery ended the reporting week on
Thursday, March 31, steady to higher compared to last week’s noon
bids for March delivery.
May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, March
31, higher as follows compared to March 24 closes: Chicago wheat
futures were 10.50 cents higher at $4.7350, Kansas City wheat fu-
tures were $4.50 cents higher at $4.7625 and Minneapolis wheat
futures trended 15.50 cents higher at $5.2950. Chicago March corn
futures trended 18.50 cents lower at $3.5150 and March soybean
futures closed .25 of a cent higher at $9.1075.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during March for ordinary protein were not available
this week or last week. Some exporters were not issuing bids for
nearby 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
April delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $6-6.5175
and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.40-8.9175.
Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were
not available.
One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any
protein were as follows: May $6.05-6.5175 and August New Crop
$6.1250-6.35.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5
percent protein during March were $5.38-5.5350, steady to 10.50
cents per bushel higher compared to the previous week’s bids for
March delivery.
White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 per-
cent protein soft white wheat were zero to 55 cents per bushel over
soft white wheat bids this week and 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 $6.8175-
7.18 and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.8175-9.4175. Forward
month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent proteins
were as follows: April $5.42- 5.5350, May $5.44-5.5350, June $5.54-
5.6075 and August New Crop $5.3025-5.36.
One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any
protein were as follows: May $6.8175-7.21, June $6.79-7.24 and
August New Crop $6.1250-6.45.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
March delivery were 4.50 to 9.50 cents per bushel higher compared
to the previous week’s noon bids for March delivery. Bids were as
follows: March $5.5125-5.5625, April and May $5.5325-5.5625,
June $5.47-5.67 and August New Crop $5.56-5.66.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during March were 15.50
cents per bushel higher than last week’s noon bids for the same
delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby
delivery. Bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as fol-
lows: March and April $6.1950-6.2950, May $6.1450-6.2950, June
$6.2775 and August New Crop $6.22-6.32.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific Northwest -
BN shuttle trains for March delivery were 18.50 to 19.50 cents lower
from $4.2550-4.2850 per bushel. Forward month corn bids were as
follows: April and May $4.2650-4.2750, June $4.2475-4.2575, July
$4.2475-4.2675 and August $4.2550-4.2850.
Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific North-
west - BN shuttle trains for March delivery were mixed, from 1.75
cents lower to .25 of a cent higher at $9.7575-9.8175 per bushel.
Forward month soybean bids were as follows: April $9.7575-9.8375,
May $9.8075-9.8375, June and July $9.8275-9.9075 and October/
November $9.9975-10.0475. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for
March delivery trended steady at $3.92 per bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
There were 14 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs-
day, March 31, with five docked compared to 17 last week with six
docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week from
the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA.
CALIFORNIA GRAINS
(USDA Market News)
Portland
April 1
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)
FOB
Solano County
NA
Rail
Los Angeles
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $10
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.50
Colusa County
$11.65
CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
FOB
Turlock-Tulare
$8.15
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8
Rail
Single Car Units via BNSF
Chino Valley-Los Angeles
$8.60-8.63
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.46
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$8.46
Glenn County
$8.40
SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Rail
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
via BNSF Single
$8.54-8.56
Truck
Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
$9.75
OATS - U.S. No. 1 White
Truck
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
NA
OATS - U.S. No. 2 White
Truck
Petaluma
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
Rail
Petaluma
NA
WHEAT - U.S. No. 2 or better-Hard Red Winter
(Domestic Values for Flour Milling)
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
NA
FOB
Kern County
$9
Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
NA
WHEAT - U.S. Durum Wheat
Truck
Imperial County
$10
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.30
WHEAT - Any Class for Feed
FOB
Tulare
NA
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.30
Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $10
King-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
Kern County
NA
Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period end-
ing March 31:
WHEAT, U.S. No 1, Hard Amber Durum for Flour Milling
Imperial Valley $10
Spot
Del Locally
YELLOW CORN, U.S. No 2 or better
Glenn
$8.40
Spot
Del Locally
California
SHASTA
(Shasta Livestock Auction)
Cottonwood, Calif.
April 1
Current week Last week
707
844
Compared to March 25: Slaughter cows, espe-
cially fed cows, $5-9 higher. Stocker and feeder
cattle steady to $15 lower depending on weight
and type. Off lots and singles $30-50 below top
offerings.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $73-80; $81-95 high
dress; Boning $67-72; Cutters $50-65.
Bulls 1 and 2: $75-89; $90-99 high dress.
Feeder steers: 300-400 lbs. $215-237.50; 450-
500 lbs. $210; 550-600 lbs. $171-192; 650-700
lbs. $160-162.50; 700-750 lbs. $146-161; 750-
800 lbs. $140; 800-900 lbs. $136.
Feeder heifers: 400-450 lbs. $175-215; 500-
550 lbs. $150-171; 550-600 lbs. $141-160.50;
600-650 lbs. $137-153; 700-750 lbs. $134-142;
750-800 lbs. $145.50; 800-900 lbs. $125-126.
Pairs: Full mouth running age $2000-2650.
Broken mouth $1525-1650.
Calvy cows: Too few to test.
Idaho
CALDWELL
(Treasure Valley Livestock)
March 25
Steers (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $126; 400-500 lbs.
$106.75; 500-600 lbs. $115.25; 600-700 lbs.
$88.50; 700-800 lbs. $82; 800 lbs. and up $86.
Steers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $215; 300-400 lbs.
$330; 400-500 lbs. $385.
Heifers (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $135; 400-500 lbs.
$160; 500-600 lbs. $109; 600-700 lbs. $87.50;
700-800 lbs. $85; 800-900; 900-1000 lbs. $88.50;
1000-1100 lbs. $88.75; 1100-1200 lbs. $81.25;
1200 lbs and up $89.50.
Slaughter Cows: Premium White 65-70 percent
lean 1500-1600 lbs. $76-78; Boning 80-85 per-
cent lean 1200-2000 lbs. $68-74; Boning 80-85
percent lean 1200-1600 lbs. $81-83; Lean 85-90
percent lean 1200-1800 lbs. $70-75; Lean Light
90 percent lean 900-1200 lbs. $60-64.
Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1700-2550
lbs. $92-99.
Bred Cows (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2:
Young few 1169-1300 lbs. $1475- 1835 6-9 mos.;
Mid-Aged 1050-1200 lbs. $1050-1135 6-9 mos.
Cow/Calf Pairs (Per Pair): Medium and Large
1-2: Young to Mid-Aged 1150-1750 lbs. $1650-
1975, few $2050 with 75-200 lbs. calves; Aged
to Broken Mouth 1400-1500 lbs. $1600-1700 with
100-150 lbs. calves.
Washington
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 1
This week
Last week
Last year
2,405
1,560
1,600
Compared to March 25 at the same market:
Stocker steers less than 600 lbs. weak to $3 low-
er. Feeder steers over 600 lbs. and all heifers
steady to firm. Trade active with good demand
and good buyer attendance. Slaughter cows
steady. Slaughter bulls $2-2.50 higher. Trade
moderate to active with moderate demand.
Slaughter cows 38 percent, slaughter bulls 5
percent, replacement cows 20 percent and feed-
ers 37 percent of the supply. The feeder supply
included 57 percent steers and 43 percent heif-
ers. Near 46 percent of the run weighed over
600 lbs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-
500 lbs. $200; 500-600 lbs. $187-197; 500-600
lbs. $176, Full; 500-600 lbs. $200, Thin Fleshed;
600-700 lbs. $162.50-173.50; 600-700 lbs.
$150-160, Full; 700-800 lbs. $147; 800-900
lbs. $151. Medium and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs.
$144; 700-800 lbs. $145.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2:
300-400 lbs. $180; 400-500 lbs. $176; 500-
600 lbs. $155-160; 500-600 lbs. $173-177.50,
Replacement; 600-700 lbs. $161-165; 600-700
lbs. $150, Full; 700-800 lbs. $150; 700-800 lbs.
$170, Thin Fleshed. Medium and Large 2-3:
600-700 lbs. $130-133. Large 1: 900-1000 lbs.
$116, Heiferettes. Small and Medium 1-2: 300-
400 lbs. $172.50; 400-500 lbs 160.50. Small
and Medium 2-3: 500-600 lbs. $137, Brahman
X. Small and Medium 3-4: 500-600 lbs. $138.
Oregon
VALE
(Producers Livestock Market)
March 30
Comments: The lighter grass calves remain
steady with moderate to good demand. Heavier
yearling cattle “sluggish” to lower.
Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $203-215; 400-500
lbs. $172-203; 500-600 lbs. $171-197.
Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $161-188.50; 400-
500 lbs. $161-180; 500-600 lbs. $153-173.
Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $157-173; 700-
800 lbs. $132-143; 800-900 lbs. $131-143; 900-
1000 lbs. $128-137.
Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $139-156.50;
700-800 lbs. $129-142.50; 800-900 lbs. $124-
136.
Stock cows (young): $1600-1875.
Stock cows (B.M.): $90-1200.
Butcher cows: $71-79.
Thin shelly cows: $52-69.
Butcher bulls: $71-88.
WOODBURN
(Woodburn Livestock Exchange)
Woodburn, Ore.
March 29
Total receipts: 386.
10 top slaughter cows $74; 50 top slaughter
cows $77.90; 100 top slaughter cows $72.63.
Top certified organic cow $80; all certified or-
ganic cows (avg.) $75.
All slaughter bulls: $70-107.50.
Top beef steers: 300-400 lbs. $180-197; 400-
500 lbs. $180-193; 500-600 lbs. $160-197; 600-
700 lbs. $140-154; 700-800 lbs. $145-162. Top
beef heifers: 300-400 lbs. $165-193; 400-500 lbs.
$160-175; 500-600 lbs. $140-159; 600-700 lbs.
$150-168; 700-800 lbs. $120-129.
Mixed Livestock: Day-old beef calves $175-210
head; bred cows $900-1100 head; day-old dairy
calves $30-135 head.
Hogs: Block hogs $59-67; feeder pigs $22.50-
137.50 head; sows $10-36; weaner pigs $67.50-
67.50 head
Sheep: Lambs $40-70 lbs. $165-242, 100-150
lbs. $140-180; thin ewes $50-100; fleshy ewes
$60-78; ewe/lamb pairs $75-82.
Environmentalists sue to block fences on sage grouse land
By SCOTT SONNER
Associated Press
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Con-
servationists are suing the
Bureau of Land Management
to block the construction of
fences in northern Nevada
they say are intended to ap-
pease livestock ranchers at the
risk of harming sage grouse
and the drought-stricken fed-
eral rangeland.
The Western Watersheds
Project filed the lawsuit in
U.S. District Court in Reno
last week on the heels of a
broader one it filed last month
challenging the Obama ad-
ministration’s overall protec-
tion plan for the greater sage
grouse across 10 western
states.
Leaders of the Ida-
ho-based group say the 3
miles of new fence planned
near key grouse habitat flies
in the face of BLM’s own re-
search showing the low-fly-
ing, hen-sized birds often
die when they strike fences.
Fence posts also provide
perches for ravens that prey
on grouse nests.
The suit says BLM reject-
ed a similar proposal to build
fences along the grazing al-
lotment near Battle Mountain
200 miles northeast of Reno
in 2014.
Pitched as an alternative
to orders to remove cattle
from the range, the ranchers
said the fencing would keep
the animals out of streams
and key riparian areas. But
BLM said at the time it was
too costly and counterpro-
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 2
Market commentary: Idaho prices inched up slightly in spite of continued heavy movement.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$12.95
$0.02
$5.60
$0.01
$20
$0
$7.50
$0
IDAHO NORKOTAHS
$12.88
$0
$5.82
$0
$19
$0
$7.50
$0
COLUMBIA BASIN
$13.15
$0
$5.76
$0
$18
$0
$8.50
$0
KLAMATH BASIN
$14.93
$0
$6.41
$0
$22
$0
$10
$0
Sheep/Wool Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Greeley, Colo.-San Angelo,
Texas
Wool prices in cents per pound and foreign
currency per kilogram, sheep prices in dollars per
hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement
animals on per head basis as indicated.
NATIONAL WOOL REVIEW
(USDA Market News)
Greeley, Colo.
April 1
Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was at
a standstill this week. There were no confirmed
trades. Shearing is in full swing, but some strong
snow storms in the mountain states did stop
shearing for a couple days this week.
Wool is still being collected and samples are
being sent in for testing as wool is being market-
ed at this time. Domestic wool trading on a greasy
basis was at a standstill this week. 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 1
Compared to March 25: Slaughter lambs were
mostly firm to $10 higher, instances $20 higher.
Slaughter ewes were steady to $10 lower. No
good comparison on feeder lambs. Many auc-
tions saw reduced receipts due to the Easter
holiday.
At San Angelo, Texas, 2,653 head sold. No
sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct
trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs were
not tested. 3700 head of negotiated sales of
slaughter lambs were steady to $3 lower. 11,700
head of formula sales had no trend due to confi-
dentiality. 6,066 lamb carcasses sold with 55 lbs.
and down no trend due to confidentiality; 55-65
lbs. $24.01 lower; 65-75 lbs. $2.40 lower; 75-85
lbs. $.25 higher and 85 lbs. and up no trend due
to confidentiality.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:
San Angelo: shorn and wooled 115-150 lbs.
$124-142.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $230-242; 60-70 lbs.
$214-230; 70-80 lbs. $210-220; 80-90 lbs. $194-
200; 90-100 lbs. $180-196, few $202-208.
DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent
shrink or equivalent):
3,700 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 139-
181 lbs. $120.38-150 (wtd avg $130.79).
SLAUGHTER EWES:
San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $69-75; Utility
and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $85-94, few $96-
98; Utility 1-2 (thin) $69-80; Cull and Utility 1-2
(very thin) $60-62; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $28-49.
FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $220-228; 70-80 lbs.
$190-198; 81 lbs. $196; 90-100 lbs. $166-173.
REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large
1-2:
San Angelo: hair ewe lambs 60-80 lbs. $222-
238 cwt; mixed age hair ewes 90-135 lbs. $100-
138 cwt.
NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice
and Prime 1-4:
Weight
Wtd. avg.
45 lbs. Down
799.14
45-55 lbs.
Price not reported
due to confidentiality
55-65 lbs.
322.28
65-75 lbs.
284.69
75-85 lbs.
275.49
85 lbs. And up
P rice not reported
due to confidentiality
Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal
inspection for the week to date totaled 35,000
compared with 40,000 last week and 47,000
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 1
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 26 cents lower for Jumbo, 31 cents lower
for Extra Large, 30 cents lower for Large and 34 cents lower for Medium and Small. Trade sentiment is
cautiously steady. Offerings continue moderate to mostly heavy. Retail demand is moderate to fairly good
with institutional movement moderate. Supplies range light to heavy, mostly moderate. Market activity is
moderate. Small benchmark price $113.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
156
Extra large
152
Large
145
Medium
133
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
108-119
Extra large
78-90
Large
77-86
Medium
71-80
Cattle Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des
Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash.
Livestock Auctions
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.)
except some replacement animals per pair or
head as indicated.
Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA
Agricultural Market Service
ductive to range health be-
cause fences promote growth
of invasive weeds.
Ken Cole, the group’s Ida-
ho director, says BLM’s re-
versal shows the sage-grouse
planning process “is just a
pile of paper written to avoid
an Endangered Species Act
listing.”
“Nothing has changed on
the ground, and most of the
new protections from grazing
won’t be implemented for
years to come,” he said.
The BLM approved the
fencing under a settlement
agreement with ranchers last
June to govern the land until
the agency completes a for-
mal assessment of range con-
ditions next year.
The six permittees include
Henry Filippini Jr., whose
family has ranched in Neva-
da since the 1870s. Sever-
al ranchers rode across the
country by horseback in 2014
to deliver a petition to the
Obama administration in a
protest they called the “Grass
March.”
The ranchers have paid
their grazing fees for years
so their situation differs
from that of Cliven Bundy,
a southern Nevada rancher
who owes the government
as much as a $1 million for
trespassing, staged an armed
standoff at his ranch two
years ago and now faces fed-
eral charges.
But in both cases, BLM
has been criticized for back-
ing down and at least initially
declining to enforce laws to
avoid confrontation.
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.)
except some replacement animals per pair or
head as indicated.
NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
St. Joseph, Mo.
April 1
This week
Last week
Last year
217,500
262,300
341,300
Compared to March 25: Calves and yearlings
traded mostly steady to $5 lower, with instances
$10 lower. Early week most sales were steady to
instances higher but a collapse in the cattle fu-
tures pressured the market.
Market softness prevailed last week with cattle
futures seeing some limited downside pressure,
trying to find some stability before the free-fall. The
return of volatility with defensive futures and with
cut-out values also imploding on March 30 with
choice closing $3.19 lower put cattle market psy-
chology in a black mood.
This makes all participants in the cattle market
very leery but then no one wants to be caught
with empty pens or pastures if profit opportuni-
ties appear. These are the results of an industry
yearning for profits as volatility the only rule that
cattle markets have abided by since last fall with
many unpredictable attitudes directing market
direction.
Then on March 31 cattle futures saw a sharp
reversal as the USDA Grain Report was bearish
for grain (especially corn) with feeder cattle fu-
tures turning bright green with limit gains. This
week saw many soft fall-born new crop calves
making their way to the market and in many cas-
es widening the price spread against the rugged
old croppers.
In addition to market pressure on feeder
calves, many lightweight offerings in the com-
ing weeks will be overwhelmingly made up of
new crop fall born calves which are not always
in high demand by feeder buyers as many are
unweaned and carrying plenty of flesh.
Nevertheless, most top quality 5 weight and
6 weight steers that are longtime weaned and
have good weighing conditions that are suitable
for grass are still in good demand.
Meat trade following the Easter Holiday has
started out on the defensive as well, after a $10
slide backwards last week has still encountered
struggling demand as sharp losses developed
at midweek.
USDA’s Grain Report on March 31, estimated
corn acres at their third highest level since 1944
at 93.6 million acres. Soybean acres came in
line with expectations at 82.2 million acres. Corn
acres were higher than pre-report expectations,
with corn stocks for March 2016 at 7.8 billion
bushels, up 1 percent from last year.
Soybean stocks rose 15 percent from last year
at 1.53 billion bushels. Row crops will have a
long growing season in front of them with time
telling how it will play out.
Auction volume this week included 50 percent
weighing over 600 lbs. and 42 percent heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
166,400
225,300
235,500
WASHINGTON 3,100. 41 pct over 600 lbs. 44
pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 500-
550 lbs. $191.53; 550-600 lbs. $180.96; 600-
650 lbs. $172.18; 650-700 lbs. $166.66; 750-
800 lbs. $146.30. Heifers: Medium and Large
1-2 400-450 lbs. $178.49; 450-500 lbs. $187.82;
500-550 lbs. $172.49; 550-600 lbs. $161.27.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
23,400
34,600
70,200
SOUTHWEST
(Arizona-California-Nevada)
600. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Holsteins:
Large 3 275 lbs. $160 July Del.
NORTHWEST
(Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
2,200. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 48 pct heifers.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price
600-700 lbs. $149-160 Washington; 850-900 lbs.
$144 Washington. Current Delivered Price: 750
lbs. $155 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $145-152 Idaho.
Large 1: 900 lbs. $143 Idaho. Heifers: Medium
and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 600-650 lbs.
$152 Washington; 800 lbs. $141 Oregon. Current
Delivered Price: 750 lbs. $143 Idaho; 800-850
lbs. $141-143 Idaho. Large 1: 900-950 lbs. $136-
136.50 Idaho. Future Delivery Delivered Price:
800-850 lbs. $140 for July Idaho.
NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Oklahoma City, Okla.
April 1
Slaughter cattle traded mostly $2-4 lower.
Dressed sales in Nebraska traded $3-4 lower.
Cattle futures fell hard at the beginning of the
week and then traded more toward a steady level
by week’s end. Beef prices fell through the week,
thus packers moved bids lower. Boxed Beef pric-
es April 1 averaged $213.02 down $6.61 from
March 25. The Choice/Select spread is $12.18.
Slaughter cattle on a national basis for nego-
tiated cash trades through April 1 totaled about
55,582 head. The previous week’s total head
count was 52,362 head.
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and
Heifers $133-134. Dressed Basis: Steers and
Heifers $214-215. South Plains Direct Markets:
Live Basis: Steers and Heifers $132-133.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls steady to $3
higher. USDA’s Cutter Cow cut-out value was
$173.54 up $.07 from March 25.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 1
This week
Last week
Last year
2,150
3,450
7,750
Compared to March 25: Feeder cattle weak to
$4 lower in a light test. Trade slow to moderate.
Demand light to moderate. Bullish expectations
were smashed on March 30 as aggressive long
liquidation toppled live and feeder futures and
beef cut-outs absolutely imploded.
The feeder supply included 52 percent steers
and 48 percent heifers. Near 100 percent of the
supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB
weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink or equiv-
alent and with a 5-12 cent slide on calves and a
3-8 cent slide on yearlings. Delivered prices in-
clude freight, commissions and other expenses.
Current sales are up to 14 days delivery.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB
Price: 600-700 lbs. $149-160 Washington; 850-
900 lbs. $144 Washington. Current Delivered
Price: 750 lbs. $155 Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $145-
152 Idaho. Large 1: 900 lbs. $143 Idaho.
Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB
Price: 600-650 lbs. $152 Washington; 800 lbs.
$141 Oregon. Current Delivered Price: 750 lbs.
$143 Idaho; 800-850 lbs. $$141-143 Idaho.
Large 1: 900-950 lbs. $136-136.50 Idaho. Future
Delivery Delivered Price: 800-850 lbs. $140 for
July Idaho.