July 29, 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. July 22 This week FOB Last week Last year 6,827 5,212 6,172 Compared to July 15: Most demand lies with the retail/stable hay. Recent rain storms have slowed movement this past week. Many hay producers are selling or have already sold most of their irst cutting hay, and are working on second cutting resulting in higher volumes of hay moving. Tons Price CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES Alfalfa Small Square Premium 2 $225 Good/Prem. 25 $200 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Premium 5 $220 Orchard Grass Small Square Premium 25 $210 Good 5 $150 Meadow Grass Small Square Premium 25 $215 Mixed Grass Small Square Premium 15 $200 Orchard/Bluegrass Small Square Premium 20 $230 Barley Small Square Premium 5 $180 EASTERN OREGON Alfalfa Large Square Good/Prem. 1850 $125 Timothy Grass Small Square Premium 20 $170 HARNEY COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Premium 130 $180 Orchard/Timothy Small Square Good/Prem. 1050 $175 KLAMATH BASIN Alfalfa Large Square Fair 120 $100 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Premium 12 $220 LAKE COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Premium 20 $200 Small Square 100 15 Good/Prem. 25 Premium 30 20 Good/Prem. 30 Good 10 Premium 150 $270 $150 $150 $175 $200 $175 $200 $200 Orchard Grass Small Square Timothy Grass Large Square Alfalfa/Triticale Mix Large Square Fair 200 $125 WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY (Columbia Basin) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 22 This week FOB Last week Last year 20,860 39,000 8,585 Compared to July 15: All grades of Export and Domestic Alfalfa and export Timothy steady to weak. Thunderstorms across the trade area this week slowed trade. Trade moderate to active this week with moderate to good demand. Retail/Feedstore steady in a light test. Demand remains good. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Prem/Sup. 50 $160 Good/Prem. 5000 $150 Good/Prem. 5950 $125-150 Alfalfa Small Square Good/Prem. 30 $175 Good/Prem. 250 $120 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Good/Prem. 30 $185 Orchard Grass Small Square Premium 175 $220-230 Timothy Grass Mid Square Premium 4500 $180-200 Good 2750 $145-150 Good/Prem. 2125 $125-130 CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 22 This week FOB Last week Last year 16,900 15,090 6,297 Compared to July 15: All classes traded steady. Demand moder- ate. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, this is the dry season for the West Coast, so changes to the Drought Monitor are very rare this time of year. Tons Price REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and Plumas. Alfalfa Supreme 750 $160 225 $165 Premium 300 $120 Wheat Good 220 $80 REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento. Alfalfa Good 150 $130 Good/Prem. 50 $120 Fair 425 $100-125 Forage Mix-Three Way Good 100 $65 REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu- olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa. Alfalfa Supreme 55 $210 975 $225-230 Premium 100 $180 Fair 1000 $110 2000 $103 175 $95 1000 $125 2000 $115 Utility/Fair 225 $80 REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo. Alfalfa Good 300 $195 25 $325 Fair 5000 $125 Forage Mix-Three Way Good 100 $100 REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West- ern San Bernardino. No sales reported. REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial. Alfalfa Good 325 $110 Good/Prem. 100 $80 150 $90 Fair 1150 $90 IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 22 This week FOB Last week Last year 500 8,100 2,800 Compared to July 15: Export Alfalfa steady in a light test. Other grades not tested this week. Trade slow with very light demand. Re- tail/feed store/horse not tested this week. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Premium 500 $135 Grain Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Portland Grains are stated in dollars per bushel or hundredweight (cwt.) except feed grains traded in dollars per ton. National grain report bids are for rail delivery unless truck indicated. CALIFORNIA GRAINS (USDA Market News) Portland July 21 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 Kern County NA Rail Los Angeles NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.70 CORN-U.S. No. 2 Yellow FOB Turlock-Tulare $7.84 Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno $6.95-7.50 Rail Single Car Units via BNSF Chino Valley-Los Angeles $8.18-8.22 Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.15 Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8.15 SORGHUM-U.S. No. 2 Yellow Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley via BNSF Single $8.04 Truck Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA OATS-U.S. No. 1 White Truck Petaluma NA Rail Petaluma NA WHEAT-U.S. No. 2 or better-Hard Red Winter (Domestic Values for Flour Milling) Los Angeles 12 percent Protein NA Los Angeles 14 percent Protein NA Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein Los Angeles 13 percent Protein NA FOB Tulare-Kern-Merced NA WHEAT-U.S. Durum Wheat Truck Imperial County $9 WHEAT-Any Class for Feed FOB Tulare NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties $8 Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA King-Tulare-Fresno Counties NA Kern County NA Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period ending July 14: WHEAT, U.S. No. 1, Hard Amber Durum for Flour Milling Imperial $9.00 Spot Del locally PORTLAND GRAIN (USDA Market News) Portland July 21 PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY Cash wheat bids for July delivery ended the reporting week on Thursday, July 21, were mixed, mostly lower compared to last week’s noon bids for July delivery. September wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, July 21, lower as follows compared to July 15 closes: Chicago wheat futures were 16.25 cents lower at $4.1775, Kansas City wheat fu- tures were 10.25 cents lower at $4.0750 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 13.75 cents lower at $4.8625. Chicago September corn futures trended 23.50 cents lower at $3.3425 and August soy- bean futures closed 51.25 cents lower at $10.3250. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during July for ordinary protein trended 2.25 to 28 cents per bushel lower compared to week ago prices for the same delivery period at $4.9775-5.18. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. White club wheat premiums were zero to 10 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 July delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were not available and bids for White Club Wheat were also not available. Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as follows: August New Crop $4.9775-5.18 and September $4.9775- 5.24. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: August New Crop through November not available. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 per- cent protein during July trended 11.25 to 16.25 cents per bushel lower than week ago prices for the same delivery period at $4.9775- 5.1275. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 per- cent protein soft white wheat this week were zero to ten 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 July delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were $6.4975-6.62 and bids for White Club Wheat were also $6.4975-6.62. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 per- cent proteins were as follows: August New Crop and September $4.9775-5.1775. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: August New Crop and September $6.4975- 6.6975, October and November $6.5325-6.8325. Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for July delivery were mixed, from 5.25 cents lower to 4.75 cents per bushel lower compared to July 15 noon bids for July delivery. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Bids were as fol- lows: July $4.9250-5.0250, August New Crop $4.7750-5.0750, Sep- tember $4.9250-5.0750, October and November $5.1350-5.3850. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North- ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during July were 8.75 to 13.75 cents per bushel higher than July 15 noon bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby de- livery. Bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: July $5.6625-5.8125, August New Crop and September $5.6625- 5.9125, October and November $6.1225. COARSE FEEDING GRAINS Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Paciic Northwest - BN shuttle trains for July delivery were 13.50 to 17.50 cents lower from $4.4425-4.4825 per bushel. Forward month corn bids were as follows: August $4.4625- 4.5025, September $4.4425-4.4925, October $4.4075-4.4175, No- vember $4.4075-4.4275 and December $4.4275-4.4475. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Paciic Northwest - BN shuttle trains for July delivery were 49.25 to 51.25 cents lower from $11.3250 per bushel. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: August $11.3250, September $11.3750, October $11.3950, November $11.3750 and December $11.3275-11.3475. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for June delivery trended steady at 3.1925 per bushel. PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS There were 12 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs- day, July 21, with ive docked compared to eight last week with two docked. There were no new conirmed export sales this week from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA. Livestock Auctions Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals per pair or head as indicated. California SHASTA (Shasta Livestock Auction) Cottonwood, Calif. July 22 Current week Last week 389 1,760 Compared to July 15: Slaughter cows $3 high- er. Slaughter cows: High yielding $71-76; $77-85 high dress; Boning $66-71; Cutters NA. Bulls 1 and 2: $80-97. Feeder steers: 650-700 lbs. $120-130; 700-750 lbs. $118-127.50; 750-800 lbs. $124-128.50; 800- 900 lbs. $123-128.50. Feeder heifers: 550-600 lbs. $123-127; 600- 650 lbs. $123.50; 650-700 lbs. $115-123.50; 700- 750 lbs. $115-125. Calvy cows: No test. Pairs: Few $1800-2175. Washington TOPPENISH (Toppenish Livestock Auction) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 22 This week Last week Last year 1,250 2,200 1,600 Compared to July 15 at same market: Stocker and feeder cattle $4-8 lower in a light test. Trade slow to moderate with light to moderate demand and light buyer attendance. Slaughter cows and bulls $2-3 lower. Trade moderate with moderate demand. Slaughter cows 58 percent, Slaughter bulls 10 percent, and feeders 32 percent of the supply. The feeder supply included 63 percent steers and 37 percent heifers. Near 63 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1-2: 400-500 lbs. $149; 600-700 lbs. $139.50; 700-800 lbs. $126-131; 700-800 lbs. $121.50, Full. Medium and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $134. Large 1: 1000- 1100 lbs. $98-113. Holstein Steers Medium and Large 3-4: 400-500 lbs. $93.50. Large 2-3: 300-400 lbs. $108.50-110; 400-500 lbs. $98.50; 500-600 lbs. $97.75-99.75. Bulls Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400 lbs. $162.50. Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1-2: 200- 300 lbs. $360, Per Head; 500-600 lbs. $133; 600-700 lbs. $125-133.75; 700-800 lbs. $119.50- 123.50; 800-900 lbs. $116.50. Large 1: 900-1000 lbs. $107.50-110.50; 1000-1100 lbs. $99.50. Large 2-3: 1100-1200 lbs. $89.75. Slaughter Cows: Boning 80-85 percent lean 1300-1900 lbs. $74-79; Lean 85-90 percent lean 1300-1800 lbs. $73-79.50; Lean Light 90 percent lean 900-1300 lbs. $63-68. Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1400-2400 lbs. $87-94. Bred Cows (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2: Few Young to Aged (3-10 yrs. old) 1000-1350 lbs. $925-985 1-3 mos. bred. Oregon EUGENE Eugene Livestock Auction Junction City, Ore. July 23 Market conditions compared to last week:cows and bulls steady. Feeders steady on a light test. Head count: 249. Top cows: High dressers $62-71.75, low dress- ers $51-61.75; Top 10 cows $63.63. Top bulls: High dressers $72-86. Feeder Bulls: 300-500 lbs. $80-135; 500-700 lbs. $95-131; 700-900 lbs. $98-124.50. Choice steers: Medium to large frame No. 1 and No. 2: 400-500 lbs. $120-146.50; 500-600 lbs. $120-136.50; 600-700 lbs. $105-127.50; 700- 800 lbs. $128; 800-900 lbs. $112-128. Choice heifers: Medium to large frame No. 1 and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $130-145; 400-500 lbs. $120-137; 500-600 lbs. $120-133; 600-700 lbs. $110. Bred Cows: $860 head. Pairs: $960 pair. Head calves (up to 250 lbs.): Beef $350-480 head; Dairy $40-60 head. Feeder lambs: 50-90 lbs. $140-173; 90-130 lbs. $110-152. MADRAS (Central Oregon Livestock Auction) July 18 Total head count: 237. Baby calves: NA. Steers: 300-400 lbs. $140-150; 400-500 lbs. $135-150; 500-600 lbs. $135-145; 600-700 lbs. $130-140; 700-800 lbs. $125-130; 800-900 lbs. $118-125. Bulls: High yield. $94-97; Mostly $93; Thinner $85-93. Pairs: NA. Bred cows: NA. Heifers: 300-400 lbs. $140-150; 400-500 lbs. $135-145; 500-600 lbs. $125-135; 600-700 lbs. $120-125; 700-800 lbs. $115-120. Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $100-115. Cows: Heiferettes $90; Fleshy cows $75; high- yield $80; medium-yield $73; low-yield $65. VALE (Producers Livestock Market) July 20 Total receipts: 350 head. Comments: Steady market with moderate de- mand throughout. Not enough feeder cattle to truly test the market; butcher cow market steady to $2 higher. Steer calves: 400-500 lbs. $141-156; 500-600 lbs. $142-149. Heifer calves: 400-500 lbs. $124-135; 500-600 lbs. $126-133. Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $132-138; 700- 800 lbs. $128-136; 800-900 lbs. $119-127; 900- 1000 lbs. $117-126. Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $123-130; 700- 800 lbs. $104-114; 800-900 lbs. $118-126. Light Holstein steers, 600 lbs. and under: NA. Light Holstein steers, 700 lbs. and over: NA. Stock cows (young): NA. Stock cows (B.M.): $1000-1250. Pairs, young: $1250-1525. Butcher cows: $72-84. Thin shelly cows: $53-68. Idaho CALDWELL (Treasure Valley Livestock) June 24 Steers (wt.): 500-600 lbs. $88.50; 600-700 lbs. $80; 700-800 lbs. $88; 800 lbs and up $71. Steers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $215; 300-400 lbs. $320. Heifers (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $100; 400-500 lbs. $90.75; 500-600 lbs. $80; 600-700 lbs. $77.75; 800-900 lbs. $85.50; 900-1000 lbs. $89.50; 1000- 1100 lbs. $90.25; 1100-1200 lbs. $80.25; 1200 lbs and up $81.50. Heifers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $130; 300-400 lbs. $315. Bull Calf (wt.): NA. Bull Calf (hd.): 400-500 lbs. $230. Cows (wt.): 1100-1200 lbs. $61.25; 1200-1300 lbs. $47.75; 1300-1400 lbs. $73.75; 1400-1500 lbs. $66.75; 1500-1600 lbs. $77.25; 1600-1700 lbs. $77.25; 1700-1800 lbs. $75.25; 1800-1900 lbs. $70.50; 2000 lbs and up $61. Heiferettes (wt.): NA. Holstein Bulls (wt.): NA. McDonald’s U.S. sales disappoint amid turnaround efforts NEW YORK (AP) — Mc- Donald’s reported disappoint- ing sales growth in the United States for the second quarter on Tuesday as the world’s big- gest burger chain keeps tout- ing its all-day breakfast menu amid its turnaround efforts. Shares were down 3 per- cent before the opening bell. The Oak Brook, Illi- nois-based company said sales rose 1.8 percent at es- tablished U.S. locations in the period. Analysts expected growth of 3.4 percent, accord- ing to FactSet. The company did not say how much of the sales in- crease — if any — was from a rise in customer visits, rath- er than factors such as higher pricing or people trading up to pricier items. McDon- ald’s noted that it was still the fourth straight quarter in which comparable-store sales rose in the U.S., despite “soft- ening industry growth.” Last week, Starbucks said its customer trafic in the U.S. was lat from a year ago, and that its results were pressured by weakening consumer con- idence, and political uncer- tainty. Dunkin’ Donuts said its trafic slipped. McDonald’s Corp. is try- ing to win back customers un- der CEO Steve Easterbrook, who took over last year. The company has cited the launch of its all-day breakfast menu last fall for helping improve sales. To keep momentum going, McDonald’s plans to expand the offerings later this year. The company, which has more than 36,000 locations around the world, is also working on improving per- ceptions about the quality of its food in the U.S. Those ef- forts have included switching to butter from margarine for its Egg McMufins, and sear- ing its beef longer to improve the taste. Like other major fast-food chains, McDonald’s is trying to shake its image for serving unhealthy, processed food as it faces pressure from smaller players promising better alternatives. Globally, McDonald’s said sales rose 3.1 percent at established locations. That in- cluded a 2.6 percent increase in the division that includes established markets like the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The high-growth segment, which includes Chi- na and Russia, saw a 1.6 per- cent increase. For the quarter, McDon- ald’s earned $1.09 billion, or $1.25 per share, including a 20-cent negative impact from restructuring charges. Analysts expected $1.39 per share, not including one-time items. Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA Agricultural Market Service Prices are weekly averages of daily prices. All prices are in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.). FWA is a weighted average of shipping point prices or common packs in each area. Weights differ by area. GRI is the Grower Returns Index for each individual area. FRESH RUSSET POTATO MARKET REPORT (North American Potato Market News) (USDA Market News) July 23 Market Commentary: Columbia Basin prices are now for the 2016 crop. New-crop prices exceed clos- ing prices for the 2015 crop by an average of $4.17 per cwt. SHIPPING AREA FWA Chg IDAHO BURBANKS $11.84 $0.23 COLUMBIA BASIN $17.63 $4.17 GRI Chg 70 ct Chg 10 lb. Film Chg $4.93 $0.14 $17.50 $0. $8.50 $0.50 $8.45 $2.50 $25. $7. $11. $2.50 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 replace- ment animals on per head basis as indicated. NATIONAL WOOL REVIEW (USDA Market News) Greeley, Colo. July 22 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis has been at a standstill this week. No conirmed trades were reported. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was at a standstill this week. There were no conirmed trades reported. Domestic wool tags No. 1 $.60-.70 No. 2 $.50-.60 No. 3 $.40-.50 NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY (USDA Market News) San Angelo, Texas July 22 Compared to last week: Slaughter lambs were steady to $15 lower. Slaughter ewes were most- ly steady. Feeder lambs were irm, instances $10 higher. At San Angelo, Texas, 5,981 head sold. No sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes were not tested and no comparison on feeder lambs. 4,600 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady to $1 higher. 6,200 head of formula sales had no trend due to conidential- ity. 3,792 lamb carcasses sold with 45 lbs. and down $8.51 lower; 45-65 lbs. no trend due to conidentiality; 65-75 lbs. $4.30 higher; 75-85 lbs. $3.02 lower and 85 lbs. and up $3.38 higher. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3: San Angelo: shorn and wooled 100-155 lbs. $120-138. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $200-212; 60-70 lbs. $175-198; 70-80 lbs. $160-170; 80-90 lbs. $145- 152; 90-110 lbs. $140-150. DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent): 4,600 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 127-182 lbs. $140-175 (wtd avg $167.15). Idaho: 5,000 Feeder Lambs 110-120 lbs. $167 for September delivery. SLAUGHTER EWES: San Angelo: Good 2-3 (leshy) $50-58; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium lesh) $60-68; Utility 1-2 (thin) 50-60; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $40- 50; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $18-35. FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: 50-60 lbs. $186-198; 60-100 lbs. $180-191. REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: wooled ewe lambs 117 lbs. $148 per head; wooled baby tooth $209 per head; hair ewe lambs 60-90 lbs. $200-230 cwt; mixed age hair ewes 90-150 lbs. $85-138 cwt. NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice and Prime 1-4: Weight Wtd. avg. 45 lbs. Down $490.54 45-55 lbs. Price not reported due to conidentiality 55-65 lbs. Price not reported due to conidentiality 65-75 lbs. $324.95 75-85 lbs. $312.97 85 lbs. and up $300.39 Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 39,000 compared with 40,000 last week and 34,000 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 relect discounts or other contract terms. DAILY CALIFORNIA SHELL EGGS (USDA Market News) Des Moines, Iowa July 22 Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 18 cents lower for Jumbo, 20 cents lower for Extra Large and Large and 17 cents lower for Medium and Small. Trade sentiment is lower. Offerings are moderate for Jumbo and heavy on the balance of sizes. Demand into all sectors is light to seasonally moderate at best. Supplies are moderate to instances heavy and most distributive buyers are in no hurry to purchase additional shell eggs. Market activity is slow. Small benchmark price 67 cents. Size Range Size Range Jumbo 151 Extra large 129 Large 119 Medium 87 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 103-114 Extra large 55-66 Large 50-59 Medium 25-34 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 Ore- gon head as indicated. NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE (Federal-State Market News) St. Joseph, Mo. July 22 This week Last week Last year 329,100 113,400 162,600 Compared to June 15: Feeder steers and heifers sold mostly steady with instances of $3 lower to $3 higher. The real summer heat moved in this week as we hit the dog days of summer, with extremely hot and humid weather curtailing receipts across much of cattle country, including some major auction barns. It’s dificult and dangerous for both man and beast to move cattle in such conditions. Heat stress and weight loss make handling and transporting cattle very unappealing and the risk of death loss skyrockets when the heat index is so high. Demand was still good for the cattle that did make it town even as the cash market remained under pressure. Cattle futures were extremely volatile with nearly all months hitting contract lows throughout the week but as has been proven over and over, strong fundamentals no longer have any sway over futures activity. The bulk of the fat cattle trade was pretty much wrapped up on July 20, with live sales mostly $2 lower at $115-115.50 (for extended delivery) and dressed sales $2 lower as well, $184.50-186, the lowest prices seen in four years. It has been frequently discussed that negotiated sales make up only a small percentage of fat cattle sales as so much of the packers’ supply is already captive. The lack of competition this creates really hurts slaughter cattle trade as packers simply don’t have huge needs to ill anymore. The previous week’s slaughter numbers ended up being larger than expected at 594,000 head. July kill levels have been huge because it was proitable for the packer, and the weekly kill will stay high as long as packer margins remain positive. Fundamentally, this will help feedlots stay current and at some undetermined point will mean a better fat market. Instead of feeding cattle too long like many feedlots did last summer, many are now pull- ing green cattle forward. As expected, boxed beef made new lows for the year but since packers are still enjoying impressive margins, seasonally weaker box prices aren’t an issue so long as their supply is replaced at lower prices. The high heat that was discussed earlier in this report also hurts demand at the meat counter, and with lots of beef in the channel, prices at the supermarket will have to stay competitive with oth- er proteins to keep beef cuts moving. It is generally hard to ind much optimism for the beef complex in July, but one bit of positive news for the feeder market this week was Monday’s Crop Progress Report which rated 76 percent of the nation’s corn and 71 percent of beans in good to excellent condition. Hot weather and timely rains have worked to- gether to create what is expected to be another outstanding crop. The monthly Cattle on Feed report has not yet been released at the time of this report but analysts expect placements and marketings to be well over year ago levels. No surprises there, but a larger number of heif- ers on feed is also expected, showing that herd expansion is slowing. Moving forward, increased marketing levels will be critical to maintain feedlots as feeder cattle supplies are expected to be very heavy this fall. Auction volume this week included 54 percent weighing over 600 lbs. and 36 percent heifers. AUCTIONS This week Last week Last year 105,700 162,200 121,100 WASHINGTON 1,600. 69 pct over 600 lbs. 26 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 650-700 lbs. $142.24; 750-800 lbs. $129.87; 800-850 lbs. $130.45. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 600-650 lbs. $132.38. DIRECT This week Last week Last year 50,600 62,300 29,000 SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada) There were no direct sales reported. NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) 2,400. 95 pct over 600 lbs. 18 pct heifers. Steers: Large 1 Current FOB Price 900-1000 lbs. $125- 133 Oregon-Washington. Medium and Large 1-2 Future Delivery FOB Price 650 lbs. $134.50 calves for October Oregon; 800 lbs. $129 for November Oregon. Large 1 Future Delivery Delivered Price 900-950 lbs. $137 for August-September Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB Price 850-900 lbs. $125 Washington. Large 1 Current Delivered Price 850-900 lbs. $119 Idaho. Medium and Large 1-2 Future Delivery FOB Price 600 lbs. $129 calves for October Oregon. NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE (USDA Market News) Oklahoma City, Okla. July 22 Slaughter cattle trade in Texas and Kansas $1-2 lower. Live trade in Nebraska sold $1-3 lower while dressed trades were $1-5 lower. Demand moder- ate. Boxed Beef prices July 22 averaged $194.83 down $4.20 from July 15. The Choice/Select spread is 10.52. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through July 22 totaled about 95,396 head. The previous week’s total head count was 92,584 head. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers: $114-115.50. Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers $182-186. South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers $113-115. Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls mostly $1 to $6 lower than last week. Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value Friday at the close on July 22 was $172.92 down $1.01 from July 15. NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. July 22 This week Last week Last year 2,350 5,150 4,500 Compared to July 15: Feeder cattle steady to weak. Trade slow this week in response to a lower CME Price. Demand moderate. The feeder supply included 82 percent steers and 18 percent heifers. Near 95 percent of the supply weighed over 600 lbs. Prices are FOB weighing point with a 1-4 percent shrink Oregon equivalent and with a 5-12 cent slide on calves and a 3-8 cent slide on yearlings. Current sales are up to 14 days delivery. Delivered prices include freight, commissions and other expenses. Steers: Large 1: Current FOB Price: 900-1000 lbs. $125-133 Oregon-Washington. Medium and Large 1-2: Future Delivery FOB Price: 650 lbs. $134.50 calves for October Oregon; 800 lbs. $129 for November Oregon. Large 1: Future Delivery Delivered Price: 900-950 lbs. $137 for August-September Idaho. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB Price: 850-900 lbs. $125 Washington. Large 1: Current Delivered Price: 850-900 lbs. $119 Ida- ho. Medium and Large 1-2: Future Delivery FOB Price: 600 lbs. $129 calves for October Oregon.