January 6, 2017
CapitalPress.com
13
Farm Market Report
Grain Market Reports
Potato 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
Dec. 29
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for December delivery ended the reporting
week on Thursday, Dec. 29, were mixed compared to Dec. 22 noon
bids for December delivery.
March wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday,
Dec. 29, lower as follows compared to Dec. 22 closes: Chicago
wheat futures were 7.75 cents higher at $4.0475, Kansas City
wheat futures were 7.25 cents higher at $4.1525 and Minneapolis
wheat futures trended .50 of a cent higher at $5.3550. Chicago
March corn futures trended 2.50 cents higher at $3.4975 and Janu-
ary soybean futures closed 8.75 cents higher at $10.0325.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during December for ordinary protein trended 1
to 35 cents per bushel higher compared to week ago prices for
the same delivery period at $4.45-4.56. Some exporters were not
issuing bids for nearby delivery. White Club Wheat premiums were
zero to 25 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
December 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: January and February $4.45-4.56, March $4.3975-4.56
and April $4.4575-4.5775. One year ago, forward month bids for
soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: January, February
and March $4.70-5.30 and April not available.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 per-
cent protein during December trended 4.75 to 8 cents per bushel
higher than week ago prices for the same delivery period at $4.50-
4.5475. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery.
White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent
protein soft white wheat this week were zero to 25 cents per bushel
over soft white wheat bids this week and last week.
One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed
maximum 10.5 percent protein for December delivery by unit trains
and barges to Portland were $6.35-6.50 and bids for White Club
Wheat were not available. Forward month bids for soft white wheat
guaranteed 10.5 percent proteins were as follows: January and
February $4.50-4.5475, March $4.3975-4.5475, and April $4.4575-
4.6275.
One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any
protein were as follows: January $6.20-6.50, February and March
$6.25-6.50 and April $6.3150-6.50.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
December delivery were 7.25 cents per bushel higher compared to
Dec. 22 noon bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters
were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Bids were as follows: De-
cember $4.8525-5.1025, January and February $5.25-5.10, March
$5.0525-5.1025 and April $5.12.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during December were 0.50
of a cent per bushel higher than Dec. 22 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: December $6.4050-6.6050, January, February and March
$6.3550-6.6050 and April $6.4175-6.5675.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific North-
west - BN shuttle trains for December delivery trended 2.50 to
5.50 cents higher from $4.3775-4.4775. Some exporters were not
issuing bids for nearby delivery. Forward month corn bids were as
follows: January $4.3775-4.4775, February $4.3775-4.4775, March
$4.3575-4.4575, April and May $4.3075-4.3175. Bids for U.S. 1 Yel-
low Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific Northwest - BN shuttle
trains for December delivery was not available. Some exporters
were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Forward month soybean
bids were as follows: January $10.9625-1125, February $10.9575-
10.9875 and March $10.8775. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for
December delivery trended steady at $3.2650 per bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
There were 24 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs-
day, Dec. 29, with six docked compared to 26 last week with five
docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week from
the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA.
Utah’s Grazing Improvement
Program develops key principles
U
tah, like other states
in the Western re-
gion, has a significant
amount of land unsuited for
crop production, but useful
for livestock grazing.
An article in the October
2016 issue of Rangelands, a
publication of the Society for
Range Management, gives
the history and overview of a
program designed to regener-
ate Utah’s rangelands.
In the late 1800s and ear-
ly 1900s, heavy grazing left
Utah’s rangelands with de-
nuded soils and lower func-
tioning watersheds. Several
agencies and programs were
established to counteract the
depleted rangelands. This in-
cluded moving forest reserves
under the care of the U.S. For-
est Service and establishing
the Great Basin Experiment
Station to implement re-
search-based grazing models
and produce long-term graz-
ing records and studies.
The grazing management
techniques of the early 1900s
called for reducing the num-
ber of animals in an attempt
to address the degradation
that had taken place. Reduc-
ing livestock numbers has
continued to be the most po-
litically expedient way to at-
tempt to solve this ongoing
Greener
Pastures
Doug Warnock
problem. In Utah this has re-
sulted in a four-fold reduction
in animals on federal lands
since 1960.
The reduction of animals
has not solved the problem,
especially if the problem is
related to livestock distribu-
tion. In addition to not solv-
ing the underlying ecological
and environmental issues that
the reduction hoped to solve,
the reduction also created
economic hardship for the
ranchers grazing cattle on the
public lands.
“This disconnect between
the regulatory regime and
good grazing practices mo-
tivated grazing experts in
Utah to create a program that
would promote and facilitate
proper grazing techniques,”
reported grazing specialists
with the Utah Department of
Agriculture and Food Graz-
ing Improvement Program.
The Utah Grazing Im-
provement Program (UGIP)
was established in 2006 along
with a state grazing advisory
board and regional advisory
boards. The advisory boards
provide a means for grass-
roots input and are supported
by the Utah Farm Bureau,
Utah Cattlemen’s Associa-
tion, Utah Farmers Union,
Utah Woolgrowers Associa-
tion, county commissioners
in rural Utah counties, the
Utah Association of Conser-
vation Districts and others.
UGIP assembled a group
of range professionals to de-
velop guidelines for manag-
ing the state’s rangelands.
They said, “most rangelands
are not overstocked, but they
are often undermanaged.”
The most effective way to
manage vegetation on a large
scale to benefit watershed
health and preserve wildlife
populations is with well-man-
aged livestock.
This is something not
understood by the average
citizen. There is a powerful
positive relationship between
well-managed livestock graz-
ing, healthy watersheds and
diverse and abundant wild-
life populations as stated in a
report from the Government
Accountability Office.
The UGIP focuses on three
main principles:
• Time, which refers to the
duration of grazing, the sea-
son of use, the frequency and
the intensity of grazing.
• Managing plant succes-
sion through grazing, me-
chanical, fire and other means
can enhance diversity and
production.
• Monitoring and use of
adaptive management.
Monitoring is the key to
successful management, al-
lowing for adaptive manage-
ment of grazing and protect-
ing watersheds. Monitoring
provides a clear picture of
what is happening and will
show trends in vegetation
response to the management
practices being applied.
Grazing can be an im-
portant and positive man-
agement tool on rangelands.
When rangeland managers
use the grazing principles
of time, timing, frequency,
and intensity of grazing, all
of the resources associated
with rangelands will be pro-
tected and multiple uses can
successfully co-exist on the
landscape.
Doug Warnock, retired
from Washington State Uni-
versity Extension, lives on a
ranch in the Touchet River
Valley where he writes about
and teaches grazing manage-
ment. He can be contacted at
dwarnockgreenerpastures@
gmail.com.
2016 ends mixed; 2017 starts slipping
ash dairy prices ended
2016 mixed.
The cheddar blocks
fell to $1.6550 per pound
Thursday, the lowest price since
Oct. 27, then inched back up a
half-cent Friday, after 21 cars
traded hands. They closed the
week, the month, and the year
at $1.66, down 3 cents on the
Christmas holiday-shortened
week, after plunging 11 cents
the previous week, but were 15
C
Dairy
Markets
Lee Mielke
1/4-cents above a year ago.
The barrels closed at $1.60,
up 4 1/2-cents on the week, 7
cents above a year ago, and at a
closer-to-normal 6 cents below
the blocks. Twenty-eight cars
of block traded hands last week
and 17 of barrel.
The markets were closed
Monday but the first day of
trading in 2017 took the blocks
up a penny, to $1.67, while the
barrels inched a half-cent low-
er, to $1.5950.
Midwestern cheese produc-
ers report that cheese demand
is beginning to slow, according
to Dairy Market News. Buyers
pushing to keep end-of-year in-
ventories low is a factor. How-
ever, cheesemakers expect an
uptick before the Super Bowl
season beginning in late Janu-
ary.
Western cheese output is
strong with ample supplies of
milk available. Demand re-
mains good and some cheese-
makers feel December sales
were better than they have been
for a few years. Manufacturers
hope 2017 will bring more ex-
port opportunities.
ROP-1-2-2/#14
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)
Dec. 31
Market Commentary: Russet potato markets were relatively flat during the week between Christmas
and New Year’s Day.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$10.86
-$0.16
IDAHO NORKOTAHS
$9.91
$0.04
COLUMBIA BASIN
$11.03
$0
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
$4.27
-$0.09
$13.50
$0.50
$9
$0
$3.49
$0.03
$11.50
$0
$9
$0
$4.37
$0
$13.50
$0
$8.50
$0
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
Dec. 30
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are 3 cents lower for Jumbo, 17 cents lower
for Extra Large and Large and 3 cents lower for Medium and Small. The undertone is sharply lower.
Offerings are moderate to heavy with demand light to occasionally moderate. Supplies are moderate.
Market activity is slow to moderate. Small benchmark price $1.05.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
184
Extra large
187
Large
183
Medium
125
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
159-171
Extra large
173-177
Large
165-174
Medium
106-117
Livestock Auctions
Note: Many auctions took the holiday week off.
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.)
except some replacement animals per pair or
head as indicated.
Washington
EVERSON
(Everson Livestock Market)
Everson, Wash.
Dec. 10
Total receipts: 143.
Heifers (hd.): Under 300 lbs. $280; 300-400 lbs.
$330; 900-1000 lbs. $825.
Steers (cwt.): 300-400 lbs. $94-137; 400-500
lbs. $54-115; 500-600 lbs. $46-113; 600-700 lbs.
$64-116; 700-800 lbs. $61-106; 800-900 lbs. $87-
94; 1000-1100 lbs. $96.
Bulls (cwt.): 300-400 lbs. $50; 400-500 lbs.
$63-112; 500-600 lbs. $71-115; 600-700 lbs. $71-
95; 900-1000 lbs. $76.
Slaughter cows: 430 lbs. $68.50.
Heifers (cwt.): 300-400 lbs. $75-118; 400-500
lbs. $80-115; 500-600 lbs. $72-109; 600-700 lbs.
$79; 800-900 lbs. $99; 1100-1300 lbs. $84.
Bred Cows: (hd.) 900-1000 lbs. $1200; 1100-
1300 lbs. $825-1200; 1300-1500 lbs. $770-1325;
1500-2000 lbs. $1225-1235.
Pairs (hd.): 1300-1500 lbs. $600.
Oregon
MADRAS
(Central Oregon Livestock Auction)
Dec. 19
Total head count: 390.
Baby calves: NA.
Steers: 400-500 lbs. $145-151; 500-600 lbs.
$135-145; 600-700 lbs. $125-135; 700-800 lbs.
$121-124; 800-900 lbs. $115-121.
Bulls: High yield. $80-82.50; Mostly $75-80;
Thinner $65-75.
Heifers: 400-500 lbs. $130-140; 500-600 lbs.
$118-130; 600-700 lbs. $115-120; 700-800 lbs.
$110-115.
Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $105-110.
Cows: High-yield $60; fleshy cows $55; medi-
um-yield $50; low-yield $48.
LEBANON
(Lebanon Auction Yard)
Dec. 29
Total receipts: 152.
Top conventional cow: $79.50, Top 10 avg.:
$76.83, avg. all: $57.37.
Conventional bulls: Top $79, avg. all $77.80.
Top organic cow: $61.
Feeder steers: 500-800 lbs. $97-127; 800-1000
lbs. $85-93.
Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $112.50-128; 400-
500 lbs. $127-129.
Bred cows: $775-925 per head.
California
TURLOCK
(Turlock Livestock Auction Yard)
Dec. 27
Total receipts: 602 head.
Weigh cows and bulls steady.
No. 2 med. and large frame steers: 300-400
lbs. $95-144; 400-500 lbs. $90-139; 500-600 lbs.
$85-129; 600-700 lbs. $82-124; 700-800 lbs. $80-
114; 800-900 lbs. $75-109.
No. 2 med. and large frame heifers: 300-400
lbs. $90-119; 400-500 lbs. $85-119; 500-600 lbs.
$80-117; 600-700 lbs. $80-109; 700-800 lbs. $75-
107; 800-900 lbs. $75-104.
No. 1 Holstein steers: 400-500 lbs. $60-80;
500-600 lbs. $60-77; 600-700 lbs. $60-75; 700-
800 lbs. $60-75; 800-900 lbs. $60-78.
Holstein barren heifers: $60-78.
Weigh beef cows: High Yielding $57-67; Med
Yielding $51-56; Low Yielding $42-50.
Weigh dairy cows: High Yielding $55-62.75;
Med Yielding $51-54; Low Yielding $40-50.
Weigh bulls: High Yielding $70-84.50; Med
Yielding $64-69; Low Yielding $58-63.
Dairy report
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Madison
FLUID MILK AND CREAM REVIEW — WEST
(USDA Market News)
Madison, Wis.
Dec. 29
California dairy contacts note milk production
is starting to increase along normal seasonal
trends. Contacts say this is a little later than usu-
al. Sales into Class 1 have been lower through
the holiday week, but are expected to increase
as bottlers ramp up before educational institu-
tions resume classes.
Heavy snow is building a good snowpack and
rains are aiding recently planted forage crops.
The precipitation is helping recharge Califor-
nia reservoirs, which now stand at 18.5 million
acre-feet, 88 percent of normal levels. This is
a positive sign that water may be more readily
available than it has been through the last few
years of drought.
Seasonally strong milk production is continu-
ing in the Pacific Northwest. Bottlers are divert-
ing heavy milk supplies into manufactured dairy
product lines as educational institutions take
their winter holiday breaks. Industry contacts
expect the flow of milk volumes to increase into
bottling late this week or early next week.
Milk production in the mountain states of Ida-
ho, Colorado and Utah is solid. Manufacturers
say they are not having any problems getting
enough milk for their processing needs. During
this holiday week, milk supplies are long and
milk shippers are working hard to find homes for
the excess milk.
Some industry contacts report milk moving
into the region from neighboring states at $3
below Class III prices.
According to the DMN National Retail Re-
port-Dairy for the week of Dec. 23-29, the na-
tional weighted average advertised price for one
gallon of milk is $2.50. The weighted average
regional price in the Southwest is $1.99. There
were no reported sale prices for gallon milk in
the Northwest this week.
Western condensed skim is clearing into NDM
processing in good volumes, but demand has
been relatively flat. Industry contacts say there
is plenty of cream available. Sour cream, egg-
nog, and cream cheese production is slowing,
making available cream more plentiful. Some
butter makers are trying to absorb the excess
cream through their churns. Multiples range
from .90 to 1.20 depending on location and use.
1-2/#4x