16 CapitalPress.com
April 15, 2016
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.
April 8
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
3,730
9,950
3,600
Compared to April 1: All grades of domestic and export Alfalfa
steady. First reported sales of new crop this week. Trade remains
slow and buyers remain cautious. Demand remains light to moder-
ate. Retail/Feedstore Steady. Demand remains good.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Premium
200
$140
Good
900
$135-140
1100 $125-135
Utility/Fair 700
$110-116
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
200
$150
Good
600
$130
Timothy Grass Small Square Premium
30
$260
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
April 8
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
1,547
1,537
1,632
Compared to April 1: Prices trended generally steady compared 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 Small Square
Premium
3
$250
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
58
$250
Grass Mix-Five Way Small
Square
Premium
10
$275
HARNEY COUNTY
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Large
Square
Good/Prem. 64
$160
KLAMATH BASIN
Alfalfa Mid Square
Fair/Good 200
$110
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
22
$230
Wheat Small Square
Good
50
$90-90
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
180
$200
Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square Fair/Good 30
$100
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
100
$250
Timothy Grass Large Square Fair/Good 250
$135
Small Square
Premium
100
$200
Oat Small Square
Good/Prem. 30
$150
Triticale Large Square
Good
450
$75
EASTERN OREGON: No new sales confirmed.
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 8
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
4,160
3,000
3,555
Compared to April 1: All grades of Alfalfa weak in a light test.
Trade slow with continued light demand. Supplies of 2014 crop are
still being marketed. Supplies remain heavy. Retail/feed store/horse
not tested this week.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Supreme
400
$120
600
$140
Good
400
$125
Utility/Fair 400
$70
200
$75-80
2000 $85
Oat Mid Square
Good
160
$105
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 8
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
5,960
8,890
24,720
All classes traded steady with a softer undertone. Demand light
to moderate. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought im-
provement has been observed in significant parts of California this
past wet season, but only a portion of Northern California has been
pulled completely out of drought, and large swaths of extreme to
exceptional drought remain in Nevada and the southern half of
California.
Tons Price
REGION 1: NORTH INTERMOUNTAIN
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen and
Plumas.
Alfalfa
Good
525
$100
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Premium
25
$260
Orchard Grass
Premium
100
$320
Mixed Grass
Premium
25
$200
Good/Prem. 50
$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. 50
$170
Good
150
$150
Orchard Grass
Good
75
$160
Oat
Good
50
$120
Rice Straw
Good
200
$87.50
REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Alfalfa
Supreme
50
$220
Premium
100
$210-220
Good
25
$155
Orchard Grass
Premium
100
$360
Mixed Grass
Good/Prem. 75
$220
REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo.
Alfalfa
Supreme
50
$246
50
$235
Good/Prem. 50
$190
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
Good/Prem. 1691 $165-175
1471 $165-170
1048 $160-172
100
$170
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 8
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for April delivery ended the reporting week on
Thursday April 7, lower compared to March 31 noon bids for April
delivery.
May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, April
7, lower as follows compared to the previous week’s closes: Chi-
cago wheat futures were 16.50 cents lower at $4.57, Kansas City
wheat futures were 22 cents lower at $4.5425 and Minneapolis
wheat futures trended 16 cents lower at $5.1350. Chicago March
corn futures trended 10 cents higher at $3.6150 and March soybean
futures closed 6.25 cents lower at $9.0450.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during March for ordinary protein were not avail-
able. Most exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. There
were no white club wheat premiums.
One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for
April delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $6.15-6.66
and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.45-9.06. 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 $6.18-6.66, June $6.20-6.72, July
$6.20-6.30 and August New Crop $6.2350-6.3850.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5
percent protein during April were $5.32-5.42, 10 to 11.50 cents per
bushel lower compared to March 31 bids for April delivery.
White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 per-
cent protein soft white wheat were zero per bushel over soft white
wheat bids April 7 compared to zero to 55 cents per bushel over soft
white wheat bids March 31.
One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for
April delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $6.96-7.18
and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.96-9.56. Forward month
bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent proteins were as
follows: May $5.37-5.58, June $5.3850-5.61, July $5.2850-5.46 and
August New Crop $5.0925-5.36.
One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any
protein were as follows: May $6.96-7.21, June 6.90-7.24 and August
New Crop $6.2350-6.46.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
April delivery were 22 cents per bushel lower compared to March
31 noon bids for April delivery. Bids were as follows: April and May
$5.3125-5.3425, June $5.2050-5.3550, July $5.2550-5.3550 and
August New Crop $5.35-5.45.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during April were 11 to 16
cents per bushel lower than March 31 noon bids for the same de-
livery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby de-
livery. Bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows:
April $6.0850-6.1350, May $5.9850-6.1350, June $6.1225, July
$6.0225-6.1225 and August New Crop $6.07-6.12.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific North-
west - BN shuttle trains for April delivery were 13 to 16 cents higher
from $4.3950-4.4350 per bushel. Forward month corn bids were as
follows: May $4.4050-4.4350, June $4.36-4.41, July $4.36-4.39,
August/September $4.33-4.37 and October/November $4.4225-
4.4925. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific
Northwest - BN shuttle trains for April delivery were 8.25 to 11.25
cents lower at $9.6750-9.7250 per bushel. Forward month soybean
bids were as follows: May $9.6750-9.7650, June $9.7775-9.8075,
July $9.7775-9.8475 and October/November $9.9450-9.9950. Bids
for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for March delivery trended steady at
$3.92 per bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
News: There were 12 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on
Thursday, April 7, with four docked compared to 14 March 31 with
five docked. There were no new confirmed export sales.
CALIFORNIA GRAINS
(USDA Market News)
Portland
April 8
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
$11
Rail
Los Angeles
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
$10
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $10
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.50
CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
FOB
Turlock-Tulare
$8.33
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $7.90
Rail
Single Car Units via BNSF
Chino Valley-Los Angeles
$8.78-8.81
Truck
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.63
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$8.63
SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Rail
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
via BNSF Single
$8.72-8.74
Truck
Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
$9.75
OATS - U.S. No. 2 White
Truck
Petaluma
$11.25-11.50
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $11.25-11.50
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 14 percent Protein
NA
WHEAT - U.S. Durum Wheat
Truck
Imperial County
$10
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
WHEAT - Any Class for Feed
FOB
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.25
Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period
ending April 7:
WHEAT, U.S. No. 1, Hard Amber Durum for Flour Milling
Imprial Valley $10
Spot
Del Locally
BARLEY, U.S. No. 2, 48 lbs. per bushel
Solano County $11
Spot
FOB
Petaluma
$10.50
Spot
Del Locally
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.
April 8
This week
Last week
727
707
Compared to April 1: Slaughter cows mostly
steady, better bulls $5 higher. No large numbers
in any one weight category and we’ll call the mar-
ket mixed, off lots and singles $30-60 below top
offerings.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $73-80; $81-88 high
dress; Boning $66-72; Cutters $55-65.
Bulls 1 and 2: $75-90; $93-105 high dress.
Feeder steers: 400-450 lbs. $187-217; 450-500
lbs. $180-201; 500-550 lbs. $175-185; 600-650
lbs. $160-177; 650-700 lbs. $160-162.50; 750-
800 lbs. $130-146; 800-900 lbs. $130-143.
Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $170-207; 400-
450 lbs. $170-195; 450-500 lbs. $150-170;
550-600 lbs. $162.50; 600-650 lbs. $140-164;
650-700 lbs. $148-155; 700-750 lbs. $128-140;
750-800 lbs. $125-134; 800-900 lbs. $120-
126.50.
Pairs: Older or running age mixed breed $1350-
1785.
TURLOCK
(Turlock Livestock Auction Yard)
Turlock, California
April 8
Total receipt: 1796.
We saw a good volume of springers, bred heif-
ers and open heifers for this special sale. Bidding
was active from buyers from throughout the West-
ern states on all classes of dairy heifers. Weigh
cows and bulls steady to 1 cent lower than April 1.
No. 1 Holstein Springers $2000-2500; No. 2
Holstein Springers $1700-1975; No. 1 Jersey
Springers $1600-2000; No. 1 Jersey X Springers
$1500-2000.
No. 1 Holstein Bred Heifers: 3 head 1433 lbs.
6-7 mos. $1975; 5 head 1254 lbs. 6 mos. $1750;
5 head 1025 lbs. 5-6 mos. $1625.
No. 1 Holstein Open Heifers: 11 head 273 lbs.
$635; 15 head 335 lbs. $700; 27 head 378 lbs.
$810; 43 head 447 lbs. $975; 26 head 522 lbs.
$1125.
No. 1 Jersey Bred Heifers: 4 head 691 lbs. 5-6
mos. $1575; 5 head 652 lbs. 1-3+ mos $1475.
No. 1 Jersey Open Heifers: 10 head 444 lbs.
$1125; 9 head 528 lbs. $1250; 20 head 434 lbs.
$1060. Jersey x Open Heifers: $155-198.
Weigh Beef Cows: High Yielding $74-86.50;
Med Yielding $65-$73; Low Yielding $50-$64.
Weigh Dairy Cows: High Yielding $75-84; Med
Yielding $64-$73; Low Yielding $50-63. Weigh
Bulls: High Yielding $90-104.50; Med Yielding
$75-$89; Low Yielding $65-74.
Holstein Barren Heifers: $70-108.
Oregon
EUGENE
(Eugene Livestock Auction)
Junction City, Ore.
April 9
Total head count: 396.
Market conditions compared to last week.
Cows and bulls $3-7 stronger; light feeders still
strong. yearlings off $3-5.
Top cows: High dressers $70-87, low dressers
$60-70; top 10 cows $76.75.
Top bulls: High dressers $73-95.50.
Feeder Bulls: 300-500 lbs. $110-172; 500-700
lbs. $111-150; 700-900 lbs. $109.50-119.
Choice steers: Medium to large frame No. 1
and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $200-237.50; 400-500
lbs. $170-184.50; 500-600 lbs. $155-186.50;
600-700 lbs. $130-160;700-800 lbs. $114-127;
800-900 lbs. $115-120.50.
Choice heifers: Medium to large frame No. 1
and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $159-179; 400-500 lbs.
$150-170; 500-600 lbs. $145-168; 600-700 lbs.
$125-150; 700-800 lbs. $115-138; 800 lbs. and
up $113.
Bred Cows: $800-1060 head; Pairs $1275 pair.
Head calves: Beef $220-460 head; Dairy $100-
185 head.
Feeder lambs: 50-90 lbs. $180-205; 130 lbs.
$120-185.
MADRAS
(Central Oregon Livestock Auction)
April 4
Total head: 1045.
Steers: 300-400 lbs. $190-200; 400-500 lbs.
$185-200; 500-600 lbs. $175-190; 600-700 lbs.
$155-175; 700-800 lbs. $140-155; 800-900 lbs.
$135-143.
Bulls: High yield $93-97; mostly $90; thinner
$85-90.
Heifers: 300-400 lbs. $175-185; 400-500 lbs.
$165-175; 500-600 lbs. $150-165; 600-700 lbs.
$137-150; 700-800 lbs. $130-137.
Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $120-130.
Cows: Heiferettes $100; Fleshy cows $85;
high-yield $85; medium-yield $80; low-yield $70.
VALE
(Producers Livestock Market)
April 6
Total receipts: 922.
Comments: Softer cattle market throughout the
day due to mostly lower “limit down” feeder cattle
and fat cattle future on April 5-6.
Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $187-199; 400-500
lbs. $177-196; 500-600 lbs. $162-181.
Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $162-186; 400-500
lbs. $161-176; 500-600 lbs. $1143-163.
Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $139-166; 700-
800 lbs. $128-144; 800-900 lbs. $122-133.
Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $134-153; 700-
800 lbs. $129-141; 800-900 lbs. $123-128; 900-
1000 lbs. $107-117.
Stock cows (young): $1275-1510. Stock cows
(B.M.): $925-1175. Butcher cows: $71-80. Thin
shelly cows: $57-68.
Butcher bulls: $78-92.
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 8
This week
Last week
Last year
1,900
2,450
2,150
Compared to April 1 at the same market: Stocker
and feeder cattle weak to $4 lower. Trade active
with good demand and good buyer attendance.
Slaughter cows steady to mostly $2-4 higher.
Slaughter bulls steady. Slaughter cows 58 percent,
slaughter bulls 5 percent, and feeders 37 percent
of the supply. The feeder supply included 24 per-
cent steers and 76 percent heifers. Near 74 per-
cent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300-
400 lbs. $205-227.50; 400-500 lbs. $203-210;
400-500 lbs. $190, Full; 500-600 lbs. $187-197;
500-600 lbs. $172, Full; 500-600 lbs. $200, Thin
Fleshed; 600-700 lbs. $167.50-175.50; 600-700
lbs. $152.50, Full; 700-800 lbs. $150-158; 800-900
lbs. $130-133.
Feeder Steers: Small and Medium 1-2: 500-600
lbs. $157.50; 600-700 lbs. $160. Medium and
Large 1-2: 100-200 lbs. $190, Per Head; 300-400
lbs. $210; 400-500 lbs. $160-175; 500-600 lbs.
$150.50-160; 600-700 lbs. $143.50-154; 700-800
lbs. $137-142; 700-800 lbs. $125, Full; 700-800
lbs. $150, Thin Fleshed; 800-900 lbs. $121-125.
Medium and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $138; 700-
800 lbs. $120, Heiferettes. Medium and Large
4: 900-1000 lbs. $76. Large 2-3: 1000-1100 lbs.
$105; 1100-1200 lbs. $102; 1200-1300 lbs. $100-
102; 1400-1500 lbs. $91-95. Small and Medium
1-2: 400-500 lbs. $152.50. Small and Medium 4:
700-800 lbs. $76.
Replacement Heifers (Per Head): Medium and
Large 1-2: 600-700 lbs. $1150-1200; 700-800 lbs.
$1250-1350; 850-900 lbs. $1350.
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash.
of those cattle will likely be moved by early May.
Most flesh condition this week noted as mod-
erate to fleshy with a high percentage of new
crop calves on offer.
Premiums and discounts get more pro-
nounced this time of year with buyers looking for
hard weaned cattle that can thrive in a summer
grazing program but hesitant to take ownership
of soft bawlers right off of mama.
Any short weaned or fleshy new croppers
were targets of steeper discounts and certain-
ly widened the price spread for light- and mid-
dle-weight calves.
Heavy yearling cattle were somewhat immune
to outside market factors this week as most of
those weights were quoted steady to firm.
Many markets noted exceptional demand for
high quality replacement females, in many cas-
es driving the market for heavy yearling heifers
and forcing order buyers to dig a little deeper if
they wanted to own any.
The U.S. cowherd is without a doubt growing
as ever-optimistic cattlemen still see good days
ahead.
Speaking of good days ahead, boxed beef
prices should improve moving forward as sum-
mer grilling season is right around the corner.
As of April 7, close Choice cutout values were
at $214.62, about $4.50 lower than the April 1
close with the Choice-Select spread at a near $9
discount. Auction volume this week included 54
percent weighing over 600 lbs. and 43 percent
heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
240,900
166,400
186,900
WASHINGTON 2,400. 67 pct over 600 lbs. 68
pct heifers Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 550-
600 lbs. $187.89; 600-650 lbs. $171.30. Heifers:
Medium and Large 1-2 450-500 lbs. $165.59;
550-600 lbs. $153.20; 600-650 lbs. $146.29; 650-
700 lbs. $153.02; 700-750 lbs. $140.23.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
41,100
23,400
53,100
SOUTHWEST
(Arizona-California-Nevada)
There were no direct sales reported.
NORTHWEST
(Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
300. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 67 pct heifers. Steers:
Medium and Large 1-2 Current Delivered Price
800-850 lbs. $150 ID. Heifers: Medium and Large
1-2 Current Delivered Price 750-800 lbs. $142 ID.
NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Oklahoma City, Okla.
April 8
Slaughter cattle sold $1-2 higher. Dressed
sales in Nebraska remained steady. Packer de-
mand moderate to good. Seller interest improved
with almost double cash trade taking place in Tex-
as. Boxed Beef prices April 8 averaged $210.02
down $3 from April 1. The Choice/Select spread
is $9.55. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for
negotiated cash trades through April 8 totaled
about 82,151 head. The previous week’s total
head count was 79,618 head.
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 9
Market Commentary: Russet table potato prices have been mostly flat, with some adjustments between
growing areas, and between package types.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$12.94
-$0.02
$5.59
-$0.01
$20
$0
$7.50
$0
IDAHO NORKOTAHS
$12.96
$0.08
$5.88
$0.06
$20
$1
$7.50
$0
COLUMBIA BASIN
$13.37
$0.21
$5.89
$0.13
$19
$1
$8.50
$0
KLAMATH BASIN
$14.67
-$0.25
$6.24
-$0.18
$22
$0
$9.50
-$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.
April 8
Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was
slow this week. There was 563,475 lbs. of con-
firmed trades. Shearing is in full swing, but some
strong snow storms in the mountain states did
stop shearing for a couple days in the past couple
weeks. Wool is still being collected and samples
are being sent in for testing as wool is being mar-
keted at this time.
Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was
slow this week. There were not enough confirmed
trades to quote.
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 8
Compared to April 1: Slaughter lambs were
steady to $10 higher. Slaughter ewes were most-
ly steady to $3 lower. No good comparison on
feeder lambs.
At San Angelo, Texas, 3,676 head sold. No
sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct
trading slaughter ewes were not tested; no com-
parison on feeder lambs. 2,800 head of negoti-
ated sales of slaughter lambs were steady to $1
higher.
11,400 head of formula sales had no trend due
to confidentiality. 3,233 lamb carcasses sold with
65 lbs. and down no trend due to confidentiality;
65-75 lbs. $2.28 higher and 75 lbs. and up no
trend due to confidentiality.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:
San Angelo: Shorn and wooled 115-155 lbs.
$122-146.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $230-252; 60-70 lbs.
$216-230, few $232-240; 70-80 lbs. $212-228;
80-90 lbs. $194-206; 90-110 lbs. $190-296, few
206.
DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent
shrink or equivalent):
2,800 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 140-
165 lbs. $125-150 (wtd avg $132.20); 170-175
lbs. $124.
California: 4,300:Feeder Lambs 115-125 lbs.
$136.
SLAUGHTER EWES:
San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $68-75; Utility
and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $82-94, few $96-
98; Utility 1-2 (thin) $69-80; Cull and Utility 1-2
(very thin) $60-68; Cull 1 (extremely thin) no test.
FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: 80-90 lbs. $188-190.
REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large
1-2:
San Angelo: Hair ewe lambs $208-210 per
head, others 60-80 lbs. $232-250 cwt; baby tooth
hair ewes $228-232 per head; solid mouth hair
ewes $180-196 per head, few bred $232-250 per
head; mixed age hair ewes 100-165 lbs. $112-
136 cwt.
NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice
and Prime 1-4:
Weight
Wtd. avg.
45 lbs. Down Price not reported due to
confidentiality
45-55 lbs.
Price not reported due to
confidentiality
55-65 lbs.
Price not reported due to
confidentiality
65-75 lbs.
$286.97
75-85 lbs.
Price not reported due to
confidentiality
85 lbs. and up Price not reported due to
confidentiality
Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal
inspection for the week to date totaled 37,000
compared with 35,000 last week and 46,000
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 8
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are unchanged on all sizes. Trade sentiment
is steady. Offerings are moderate to heavy. Retail demand is moderate to fairly good with increased
feature activity noted. Loose egg sales are moderate. Supplies are moderate. Market activity is slow to
moderate. Small benchmark price 79 cents.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
130
Extra large 121
Large
115
Medium
99
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
82-93
Extra large 47-59
Large
47-56
Medium
37-46
Washington
Cattle Market Reports
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 8
This week
Last week
Last year
295,900
217,500
261,300
Compared to April 1: Steers and heifers traded
steady to $5 lower. Trade was active in most ma-
jor market areas as the demand to own cattle is
still quite good, just at lower price levels.
The collapse in the futures put pressure on
the feeder cattle market for the duration of the
week. Live Cattle futures did post modest gains
at April 6 and especially the close in response to
fat cattle trade that occurred early April in Kan-
sas at $133-134, steady to $1 higher than the
previous week.
While it may not be a true indicator of long-
term support, active mid-week trade with good
packer demand is certainly a positive take away
after the volatile ride of the past few weeks.
Trade volume should pick up early Friday as
packers are rumored to be short-bought, which
should force a little competition and help support
current price levels.
In the west, some wheat grazing cattle are be-
ing moved off pasture already, about 3-4 weeks
ahead of schedule but those wheat pastures are
rapidly deteriorating in dry, windy conditions. Un-
less a significant rain falls in the next week most
Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA
Agricultural Market Service
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and
Heifers: $134-136. Dressed Basis: Steers and
Heifers $214-215.
South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers
and Heifers $133-134.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls $1-2 higher,
except in the Southeast steady to $3 higher.
Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value April 8 was
$173.28 down $.26 from April 1.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 8
This week
Last week
Last year
300
2,150
3,500
Compared to April 1: Feeder cattle steady in a
very light test. Trade near standstill this week as
local feedlots try to bid lower. Most supplies are
cleaned up for the time being in the trade area.
Demand light to moderate. The feeder supply
included 33 percent steers and 67 percent heif-
ers. Near 100 percent of the supply weighed over
600 lbs. Prices are FOB weighing point with a 1-4
percent shrink or equivalent and with a 5-12 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 Deliv-
ered Price: 800-850 lbs. $150 Idaho.
Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current Deliv-
ered Price: 750-800 lbs. $142 Idaho.
Ortho to drop
neonicotinoids
from pesticides
By DAN ELLIOTT
Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — Gar-
den-care giant Ortho said Tues-
day it will stop using a class of
chemicals widely believed to
harm bees.
The company plans to phase
out neonicotinoids by 2021 in
eight products used to control
garden pests and diseases.
Ortho will change three
products for roses, flowers, trees
and shrubs by 2017 and other
products later, said Tim Mar-
tin, vice president and general
manager of Ortho, a division of
Marysville, Ohio-based Scotts
Miracle-Gro Co.
The chemicals, called ne-
onics for short, attack the cen-
tral nervous systems of insects.
Some advocates say neonics are
one of several reasons behind
declining populations of bees,
which are major pollinators of
food crops.
About one-third of the hu-
man diet comes from insect-pol-
linated plants, and honeybees
are responsible for 80 percent of
that pollination.
Ortho is acting out of con-
cern for possible threats to hon-
eybees and other pollinators
and to reassure customers that
“Ortho’s got their back, taking
care of whatever they need con-
trolled in the most responsible
manner,” Martin said.
The change might require
gardeners to apply the reformu-
lated products more frequent-
ly, but it will be easier to target
pests while reducing the chances
of hurting bees, he said. The cost
of the products won’t change
significantly, Martin said.
It wasn’t immediately clear
what effect Ortho’s decision
would have on the health of
the overall bee population. Ne-
onics are used in a number of
chemicals applied to food and
textile crops such as corn and
cotton as well as individual
gardens.
The severity of the effects
of neonics on bees appears to
vary depending on what type
of crops or plants they are used
on, according to a study by the
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and California’s envi-
ronmental agency that was re-
leased in January. Another study
published last year showed ne-
onics might hit wild bumblebees
harder than domestically raised
honeybees.
Bayer CropScience and Syn-
genta, the top manufacturers of
neonics, have said the research
has exaggerated the risks and
understated the benefits.
Concern about bee health is
growing. Last week, the Mary-
land General Assembly passed
a bill that would allow only cer-
tified applicators, farmers and
veterinarians to apply pesticides
containing neonics.
In March, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service said it
would consider whether to
protect two species of wild
bumblebees under the Endan-
gered Species Act amid de-
clines in their numbers.