14 CapitalPress.com
May 6, 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 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.
April 29
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
6,710
2,700
5,500
Compared to April 22: All grades of domestic and export Alfalfa
weak in a light test. Premium second cutting Timothy for export
weak to $25 lower in a light test.
Trade remains slow and buyers remain cautious. Some new crop
was reported being put in the bale this week in the southern basin.
Sources expect new crop trading to begin next week. Demand re-
mains light to moderate. Retail/Feedstore weak. Demand remains
good.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Supreme
400
$150
Good
1550 $123-125
Fair/Good 2250 $110-130
Alfalfa Small Square
Good
250
$160
600
$140
Fair/Good 60
$130
Timothy Grass Mid Square
Good/Prem. 1000 $125
Timothy Grass Small Square Good/Prem. 600
$120
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
April 29
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
544
407
2,077
Compared to April 22: Prices trended generally steady compared
to week ago prices in a very limited test. Many producers have de-
cided 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. All prices are in dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise
stated.
Tons Price
CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
31
$240
EASTERN OREGON
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small
Square
Premium
15
$165
KLAMATH BASIN
Alfalfa Small Square
Premium
83
$160-180
Wheat Small Square
Fair
27
$100
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Supreme
33
$250
Small Square
Premium
60
$200
Good
90
$175
Fair
30
$100
HARNEY COUNTY: No new sales confirmed.
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 29
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
800
1,600
5,900
Compared to April 22: All grades of Alfalfa steady to weak in a light
test. Trade slow with light demand. Supplies remain heavy. Retail/
feed store/horse not tested this week. All prices are dollars per ton
and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Supreme
450
$115-125
Good
100
$90-100
Fair/Good 250
$80
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 29
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
13,258
11,693
9,991
Compared to April 22: All classes traded steady with a softer un-
dertone. Demand light.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, in Northern California, 1-3
inches of precipitation fell along the northern Sierra, which trans-
lates into well above normal, but normals are lower this time of year
and the amounts are small compared to the multi-year deficits, so no
change was made to the depiction in California and Nevada.
Tons Price
REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and
Plumas.
No new sales confirmed.
REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter,
Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento.
Alfalfa
Premium
50
$180
Good/Prem. 300
$150
Fair/Good 250
$110
REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Alfalfa
Supreme
85
$195
50
$200
Premium
75
$180
400
$165
Good/Prem. 150
$145
Fair/Good 65
$90
Fair
400
$85
Utility
425
$70
Orchard Grass
Premium
25
$220
Oat Hay
Good
150
$85
25
$150
REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo.
Alfalfa
Supreme
100
$246
Prem./Sup. 350
$185
Good
250
$225
Wheat Standing
Good
$20-25
Triticale Standing
Good
$20-22
REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West-
ern San Bernardino.
No new sales confirmed.
REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA
Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and
Imperial.
Alfalfa
Premium
2770 $160-165
2020 $160-171
200
$175
Good
2035 $150
Fair
454
$115
Orchard Grass
Premium
100
$300
Bermuda Grass
Premium
500
$150
Klein Grass
Premium
2000 $120
Forage Mix-Four Way
Fair
25
$65
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 28
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for April delivery ended the reporting week on
Thursday April 28, lower compared to April 21 noon bids for April
delivery.
May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, April
28, lower as follows compared to April 21 closes: Chicago wheat
futures were 20.25 cents lower at $4.7550, Kansas City wheat fu-
tures were 27.50 cents lower at $4.61 and Minneapolis wheat fu-
tures trended 13.50 cents lower at $5.30. Chicago May corn futures
trended 2.50 cents higher at $3.87 and May soybean futures closed
.75 of a cent lower at $10.18.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during April for ordinary protein were not available
this week or last week. 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 $5.85-
6.0625 and bids for White Club Wheat were $6.95-8.0625.
Forward-month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as
follows: May $5.2550-5.40, June and July $5.38-5.4050 and August
New Crop $5.44-5.4525.
One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any
protein were as follows: May $5.85-6.0625, June $5.85- 6.0425,
July $5.7625-5.85 and August New Crop $5.8575-5.95.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5
percent protein during April were not available. White club wheat
premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein soft white
wheat were zero 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 $6.2125-
6.4125 and bids for White Club Wheat were $8.2125-8.4125.
Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent
proteins were as follows: May $5.4050-5.75, June $5.5550-5.77,
July $5.5550-5.56 and August New Crop $5.4525-5.66.
One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any
protein were as follows: May $6.2125-6.4125, June not available,
July $5.74-5.7625 and August New Crop $5.78-6.05.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
April delivery were 24 to 27 cents per bushel lower compared to April
21 noon bids for April delivery.
Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. This
week, bids were as follows: April $5.4650-5.4950, May $5.4650-
5.5450, June $5.4450-5.5950, July $5.4450-5.5950 and August
New Crop $5.4525-5.6525.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during April were 12.25 to
16.25 cents per bushel lower than April 21 noon bids for the same
delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby
delivery. This week, bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein
were as follows: April $6.2125-6.3725, May $6.2125-6.4225,
June $6.2725-6.4225, July $6.2225-6.4225 and August New Crop
$6.2550-6.4050.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific North-
west - BN shuttle trains for April delivery were 1.50 to 3.50 cents
higher from $4.64-4.67 per bushel. Forward month corn bids were
as follows: May $4.63-4.67, June $4.6625-4.7025, July $4.6525-
4.7025, August/September $4.5650-4.6850 and October/November
$4.6250-4.7450. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full
coast Pacific Northwest - BN shuttle trains for April delivery were .75
of a cent lower at $10.78-10.83 per bushel. Forward month soybean
bids were as follows: May $10.78-10.88, June $10.9250-10.9550,
July $10.9250-10.9950 and October/November $10.8350-10.8650.
Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for April delivery trended steady
at $3.92 per bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
There were nine grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs-
day, April 28, with four docked compared to 10 last week with four
docked. There were no new confirmed export sales from the Com-
modity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA.
CALIFORNIA GRAINS
(USDA Market News)
Portland
April 28
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
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
Colusa County
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
$10.55
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $10.65
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9-9.10
Madera County
NA
Kern County
NA
Glenn County
NA
Colusa County
NA
Solano County
NA
CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
FOB
Turlock-Tulare
$8.64
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.25-8.30
Kings-Tulare-Fresno
NA
Rail
Single Car Units via BNSF
Chino Valley-Los Angeles
$9.23
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.95
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
NA
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$8.95
Glenn County
NA
SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Rail
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
via BNSF Single
$9.14
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
$11.25
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
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein
NA
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein
NA
Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
NA
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein
NA
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
Tulare
NA
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.35
Colusa County
NA
Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $9.50
King-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
Fresno
NA
Merced County
NA
Colusa County
NA
Kern County
NA
Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period end-
ing April 21: No new sales.
California
SHASTA
(Shasta Livestock Auction)
Cottonwood, Calif.
April 29
Current week Last week
905
596
Compared to April 22: Slaughter market $5 low-
er. Another tough week in the futures resulting in
calves and yearlings mostly $5 lower. Off lots and
singles $25-50 lower.
Slaughter cows: Breakers $67-74; $75-78 high
dress; Boning $59-66; Cutters $45-60.
Bulls 1 and 2: $65-89; $90-94 high dress.
Feeder steers: 300-400 lbs. $190-197; 400-450
lbs. $189; 500-550 lbs. $160-178; 550-600 lbs.
$160-168; 600-650 lbs. $154-164; 650-700 lbs.
$140-157; 700-750 lbs. $130-142; 750-800 lbs.
$126-134; 800-900 lbs. $115-123.
Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $170-180; 400-
450 lbs. $157-175; 600-650 lbs. $130-149; 650-
700 lbs. $120-137; 700-750 lbs. $120-125; 800-
900 lbs. $108-116.75.
Pairs: Few older pairs $1450-1710.
Calvy cows: No test.
Washington
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 29
This week
Last week
Last year
1,400
2,525
2,020
Compared to April 22 at the same market:
Stocker and feeder cattle weak to $6 lower in a
light test. Trade active with moderate demand.
Slaughter cows $1-2 higher. Slaughter bulls $2-3
lower. Trade active with good demand. Slaughter
cows 66 percent, slaughter bulls 5 percent, and
feeders 29 percent of the supply. The feeder
supply included 49 percent steers and 51 percent
heifers. Near 61 percent of the run weighed over
600 lbs. Replacement cows pretested for age,
pregnancy, and bangs.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 500-
600 lbs. $140-145; 500-600 lbs. $172-187.50,
Thin Fleshed; 600-700 lbs. $135; 700-800 lbs.
$132-137.50; 800-900 lbs. $131. Medium and
Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $110-115; 700-800 lbs.
$110.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2:
400-500 lbs. $138; 400-500 lbs. $156, Thin
Fleshed; 500-600 lbs. $135-140.50; 600-700
lbs. $130.50-140. Medium and Large 2-3: 600-
700 lbs. $106.50; 700-800 lbs. $100. Large 1-2:
1000-1100 lbs. $99.75, Full; 1000-1100 lbs. $110,
Heiferettes. Small and Medium 1-2: 600-700 lbs.
$106, Full.
Feeder Cows: Large 1-2: 1000-1100 lbs. $87,
Young; 1200-1300 lbs. $83.50, Young.
Slaughter Cows:
Boning 80-85 percent lean 1100-2000 lbs.
$71-75; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1000-1900 lbs.
$69-74; Lean Light 90 percent lean 1000-1300
lbs. $57-61.
Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1700-2400
lbs. $86-93.
Bred Cows (Per Head): Few Young (3-4 yrs.
old) 1089 lbs. 1400 6-9 mos.; Few Young to Mid-
Aged( 3-11 yrs. old) 1150-1400 lbs. 1200-1350
3-6 mos. bred; Broken Mouth 1200 lbs. 900 6-9
mos.
Oregon
VALE
(Producers Livestock Market)
April 27
Total receipts: 886 head.
Comments: $8-12 cwt. Lower on most classes
of feeder cattle, yearlings and also the lighter
grass cattle
Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. $159-174; 400-500
lbs. $157-176; 500-600 lbs. $153-181.
Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $147-165; 400-500
lbs. $136-164; 500-600 lbs. $128-144.
Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $143-152; 700-
800 lbs. $135-145; 800-900 lbs. $126-132; 900-
1000 lbs. $111-117.
Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $120-129; 700-
800 lbs. $116-127; 800-900 lbs. $111-117.
Light Holstein steers, 600 lbs. and under: NA
Stock cows (young): NA.
Stock cows (B.M.): $975-1275.
Butcher cows: $63-71.
Thin shelly cows: $47-61.
France threatens to torpedo U.S.-Europe trade deal
PARIS (AP) — France is
threatening to reject a huge free
trade deal between the U.S. and
the European Union, saying it’s
too friendly to U.S. business and
probably doomed.
Signs of trouble are dogging
the creation of a Trans-Atlantic
Trade and Investment Partner-
ship, a U.S.-EU free trade zone
encompassing half the world
economy.
President Francois Hollande
said Tuesday that France “will
never accept” challenges to its
farming and culture in exchange
for better access to U.S. markets.
“That’s why at this stage,
France says no,” the Socialist
leader said at a conference on
left-wing politics.
Earlier Tuesday, French
Trade Minister Matthias Fekl
told Europe-1 radio that negoti-
ations “are totally blocked” and
that a halt to talks “is the most
probable option.” He insisted on
better farming and environmen-
tal protections, adding that “in
its current state, France cannot
sign it.”
“Europe is giving a lot ... but
receiving very little in return,”
he said.
European officials appear
to be toughening their rhetoric
after Greenpeace leaked large
amounts of confidential nego-
tiating documents that suggest
the EU is coming under U.S.
pressure to weaken consumer
protections in key sectors.
The EU chief negotiator said
several Greenpeace conclu-
sions were “false” while U.S.
Trade representative spokesman
Trevor Kincaid said the inter-
pretations were misleading and
sometimes wrong.
Still, EU negotiator Ignacio
Garcia Bercero said Monday
that major disagreements re-
main between the two sides fol-
lowing the 13th round of talks
last week. The U.S. election
campaign is complicating nego-
tiations, making it increasingly
unlikely that President Barack
Obama can achieve a deal be-
fore leaving office.
International Paper to buy 7 pulp mills from Weyerhaeuser
NEW YORK (AP) — In-
ternational Paper said it is
paying $2.2 billion to buy
seven mills from Weyerhae-
user that make pulp used in
diapers, tissues and other con-
sumer products.
The deal is expected to
close before the end of the
year.
International Paper said
Monday the mills employ
about 1,900 people. Geor-
gia and Mississippi have two
mills each. The others are in
North Carolina, Canada and
Poland.
Based in Memphis, Ten-
nessee, International Paper
makes paper and packaging
and said the deal will expand
its product offering to busi-
nesses.
The company will get a
Prices are weekly averages of daily prices. All prices are in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.). FWA is a
weighted average of shipping point prices or common packs in each area. Weights differ by area. GRI is
the Grower Returns Index for each individual area.
FRESH RUSSET POTATO MARKET REPORT
(North American Potato Market News)
(USDA Market News)
May 30
Market commentary: Russet table potato prices have been flat for several weeks, but they are showing
signs that the could start to move higher.
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
COLUMBIA BASIN
$13.37
$0
$5.89
$0
$19
$0
$8.50
$0
KLAMATH BASIN
$14.67
$0
$6.24
$0
$22
$0
$9.50
$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 29
Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was
very active this week. There were 1,017,198 lbs.
of confirmed trades. Much of the wool being traded
has seen prices falling between the 80-85 percent
of Australia range, with paint free lots receiving a
two- to five-cent premium per pound.
Higher vegetable matter and shorter length
wools are falling to ranges of 70-75 percent of
Australia.
Shearing is ongoing, and for the most part con-
ditions have been good with the occasional storm
slowing the process for only one to two days at a
time. Wool is still being collected and samples are
being sent in for testing as wool is being marketed
at this time.
Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was
at a standstill this week. There were no 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 29
Compared to last week: Slaughter lambs were
steady to as much as $20 lower, except light lambs
at New Holland, Pa., $10-20 higher. Slaughter
ewes were steady to $10 higher. Feeder lambs
were $5-10 lower.
At San Angelo, Texas, 6,077 head sold. No
sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct trading
slaughter ewes were steady and feeder lambs
were $10 lower than last test. 2,700 head of nego-
tiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady. 11,600
head of formula sales of 85-95 lbs. dressed lambs
were $2-4 lower other weights had no trend due to
confidentiality. 4,517 lamb carcasses sold with 65
lbs. and down no trend due to confidentiality; 65-75
lbs. $1.66 higher; 75-85 lbs. $.06 higher and 85 lbs.
and up no trend due to confidentiality.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:
San Angelo: Shorn and wooled 105-145 lbs.
$128-142.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $224-242, few $246;
60-70 lbs. $206-226, few $230; 70-80 lbs. $190-
200, few 202-205; 80-90 lbs. $180-190; 90-110 lbs.
$170-180.
DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent
shrink or equivalent):
2,700 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 127-
185 lbs. $117.08-150 (wtd avg $132.12).
Idaho: 600 Slaughter Ewes Utility and Good 1-3
$41-43; Cull and Utility 1-2 $25.
SLAUGHTER EWES:
San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $65-76; Utility
and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $80-92; Utility 1-2
(thin) $70-80; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $60-
68; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $35-50.
FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: 49 lbs. $222; 60-70 lbs. $190-210;
70-80 lbs. $179-190; 80-90 lbs. $168-179; 90-100
lbs. $164-174.
REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: Baby tooth hair ewes $214 per
head; solid mouth hair ewes $178-190 per head;
mixed age hair ewes 100-150 lbs. $106-134 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.
$327.72
65-75 lbs.
$284.93
75-85 lbs.
$274.80
85 lbs. and up
Price not reported due to
confidentiality
Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in-
spection for the week to date totaled 39,000 com-
pared with 36,000 last week and 38,000 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 29
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 7 cents higher for Jumbo, Extra Large,
and Large and 8 cents higher for Medium and Small. The undertone is steady. Demand is moderate on
moderate offerings. Warehouse buying interest has slowed and is reported as usually slow to moderate.
Supplies are light to mostly moderate. Market activity is slow. Small benchmark price 85 cents.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
149
Extra large
142
Large
135
Medium
105
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
101-112
Extra large
68-79
Large
66-75
Medium
43-52
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
$300 million tax benefit for
the deal, bringing its total cost
for the mills down to $1.9 bil-
lion.
Weyerhaeuser Co., based
in Federal Way, Washington,
is shedding its pulp business-
es to focus on selling lumber
and other wood products. It
plans to use most of the sale
proceeds to pay down debt.
Earlier this year, Weyerhaeus-
er bought Plum Creek Timber
for $8.44 billion, creating the
world’s biggest timberland
and forest products compa-
nies. Weyerhaeuser said last
year that it planned strategic
alternatives for its cellulose fi-
bers business, which includes
pulp. It is still reviewing what
to do with its liquid packaging
board facility, newsprint and
publishing papers businesses.
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 29
This week
Last week
Last year
261,600
201,100
302,700
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and
heifers continued mostly $5-10 lower throughout
the week. The only bright spot was April 27, when
things looked to be turning around with a couple
auctions showing some strength, despite the
CME board closing slightly lower after trending
higher April 25 and April 26.
The mid-week weakness in the futures was the
spark that ignited the fire, confirming that early
week gains would be short-lived, as April 28 the
board opened lower and finished sharply lower.
The April 22 Cattle on Feed Report had April
1 inventory .5 percent higher than last year at
10.85 million head; placements at 104.6 percent
and marketings at 107.1 percent. Inventory was
slightly lower than expected, with placements
lighter than expected and marketing were higher
than expectations.
The report was more bullish than expected, but
was not enough for the bearish outlook. A combi-
nation of decreased imports and the fed cattle fu-
tures decline appeared to play a role in placement
during the month of March, as profit outlooks for
late summer and fall looks bleak.
USDA’s Cold Storage report showed total beef
in storage down from last year and just slightly
under the 5-year average, which can be viewed
as a positive moving into grilling season.
However, even the few supportive signs than
can be gleaned from those two reports are cer-
tainly not enough to change the current market’s
bearish position.
Protein sources are plentiful and beef demand
is modest at best. Fed cattle trade was pretty
much wrapped up by late afternoon April 21 with
live sales at $124, $3 lower than the previous
week’s trade and northern dressed sales at $196,
$4 lower than last week and losing 20 in just two
weeks. Some packers appear to be bought up
through May and asking for extended delivery.
With the last two week’s estimated weekly
cattle harvest numbers coming in as the two big-
gest weeks so far this year, packer margins are
favorable.
A large portion of the field work in the Corn
Belt has been slowed as a result of widespread
thunderstorms early in the trading period. This
should change early next week and allow planting
to resume.
Despite the temporarily slowed planting prog-
ress, we should still be able to maintain our near
record planting pace. The early start to corn
planting likely brought some additional acres into
production.
At the same time, we are hearing reports that
the rally in soybeans has encouraged some pro-
duction of that crop. Auction volume this week
included 52 percent weighing over 600 lbs. and
40 percent heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
165,700
164,700
180,200
WASHINGTON 2,200. 66 pct over 600 lbs. 46
pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 550-
600 lbs. $142.90; 650-700 lbs. $144.12. Heifers:
Medium and Large 1-2 450-600 lbs. $147.35;
550-600 lbs. $139.71; 600-650 lbs. $136.73; 650-
700 lbs. $134.10.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
36,500
35,500
66,400
SOUTHWEST
(Arizona-California-Nevada)
1,100. No cattle over 600 lbs. 48 pct heifers.
Holsteins: Large 3 Large 3: 325 lbs. $140-142
September Del. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2
480 lbs. Current Del $134.
(Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
NORTHWEST
600. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 41 pct heifers. Steers:
Medium and Large 1-2 Current Delivered Price
850 lbs. $142 Idaho. Large 1 900-950 lbs. $131
Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current
Delivered Price 850 lbs. $132 Idaho.
NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Oklahoma City, Okla.
April 29
Slaughter cattle traded $2-3 lower on a live
basis. Dressed sales in Nebraska sold mostly
$2-4 lower.
The whole cattle complex took a dive this week.
Beef prices moved sharply lower as demand has
been light to moderate on moderate to heavy
supplies. This in a time when packers should be
looking to meet kill needs for the up coming Me-
morial Day holiday.
Boxed Beef prices April 29 averaged $206.86
down $8.64 from April 21. The Choice/Select
spread is $9.18. Slaughter cattle on a national
basis for negotiated cash trades through April 29
totaled about 101,200 head. The previous week’s
total head count was 96,432 head.
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and
Heifers: $123-124.50. Dressed Basis: Steers and
Heifers mostly $196.
South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers
and Heifers few $124.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls steady to $2
lower, except Oklahoma steady to $2 higher.
Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value April 21 was
$175.08 up $1.21 from April 21.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
April 29
This week
Last week
Last year
550
1,300
2,450
Compared to April 21: Feeder cattle weak in a
light test. Trade slow this week as bearish cattle
futures have succeeded in leading the feedlot
trade significantly lower. Area feedlots are wait-
ing until next week when a significant number
of cattle will be offered for sale. Demand light to
moderate.
The feeder supply included 59 percent steers
and 41 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 include freight, commissions
and other expenses. Current sales are up to 14
days delivery.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current Deliv-
ered Price: 850 lbs. $142 Idaho. Large 1: 900-950
lbs. $131 Idaho.
Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current Deliv-
ered Price: 850 lbs. $132 Idaho.
Replacement Heifers (Per Head): Medium
and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 800-850 lbs.
$1200 Washington.