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May 5, 2017 CapitalPress.com Farm Market Report 13 S PONSORED BY ROP-18-4-2/#7 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 retail outlets. Basis is current delivery FOB barn or stack, or deliv- ered 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 OREGON AREA HAY IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 28 This week FOB Last week Last year 2,060 700 800 Compared to April 21: Domestic Alfalfa steady in a light test. Trade very slow with good demand as most interests are concentrating on field work. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated. Tons Price Alfalfa Large Square Prem.Sup. 2000 $145 Good 60 $100 CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 28 This week FOB Last week Last year 5,907 8,400 13,258 Compared to April 21: All classes traded steady with moderate demand. According the U.S. Drought Monitor, Looking Ahead, colder-than-normal conditions from the western slopes of the Ap- palachians to the High Plains will contrast with warmer-than-nor- mal readings along the Atlantic Coast as well as California and the Southwest. All hay is reported FOB the stack or barn unless otherwise noted. Tons Price REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and Plumas. Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Premium 75 $170 Orchard Grass Premium 25 $240 REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento. No New Sales Confirmed. REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu- olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa. Alfalfa Supreme 100 $250 50 $235 Premium 300 $150 150 $235 50 $260 Good/Prem. 50 $225 Green Chop Good 0 $45 Forage Mix-Three Way Good 75 $120 REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo. Alfalfa Premium 700 $220-230 Fair 100 $167 Wheat Silage Good 0 $30 Bermuda Straw Good 25 $95 REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West- ern San Bernardino. Alfalfa Premium 400 $200-220 Forage Mix-Three Way Good 50 $200 REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial. Alfalfa Premium 1530 $175-180 1930 $170-195 195 $188-195 Bermuda Grass Good 100 $140 WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY (Columbia Basin) (USDA Market News) Moses Lake, Wash. April 28 This week FOB Last week Last year 1,975 4,065 6,710 Compared to April 21: Export and domestic Alfalfa steady in a light test. Trade slow with good demand. Most interests are sold out wait- ing for new crop. Retail/Feedstore not tested this week. Tons Price Alfalfa Large Square Good/Prem. 75 $125 Good 250 $115 400 $125 Fair 1250 $85-90 (USDA Market News) Portland, Ore. April 28 This week FOB Last week Last year 970 1,436 544 Compared to April 21: Prices trended generally steady in a lim- ited test compared to week ago prices. Most demand lays with the retail/stable hay. According to some producers, horse owners prefer lower sugar, higher protein hay. Many producers are sold out for the year. Tons Price CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES Alfalfa Small Square Premium 1 $230 Orchard Grass Small Square Premium 43 $230-250 EASTERN OREGON Alfalfa Large Square Premium 30 $130 KLAMATH BASIN Fescue Grass Small Square Premium 6 $175 HARNEY COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 100 $150 LAKE COUNTY Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 700 $140 Small Square Supreme 30 $185 Premium 60 185 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 27, were mixed compared to April 21 noon bids for April delivery. May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, April 27, higher as follows compared to April 21 closes: Chicago wheat futures were 7.25 cents higher at $4.1350, Kansas City wheat futures were 18 cents higher at $4.2075 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 13 cents higher at $5.40. Chicago May corn fu- tures trended 4.25 cents higher at $3.62 and May soybean futures closed one cent lower at $9.4575. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during April for ordinary protein trended steady to 32.25 cents per bushel higher compared to April 21 prices for the same delivery period at $4.5850-4.70. 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 April delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were not avail- able and bids for White Club Wheat were also not available. Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as follows: May $4.5850-4.70, June $4.60-4.70, July $4.6625- 4.70 and August New Crop $4.6450-4.70. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: May $5.2425-5.40, June $5.26-5.40, July $5.26-5.3850 and Au- gust New Crop $5.16-5.4325. Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein during April trended mixed, from ten cents lower to 32.25 cents per bushel higher compared to week ago price for the same delivery period at $4.5850-4.65. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent pro- tein soft white wheat this week 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 guaranteed max- imum 10.5 percent protein for April delivery by unit trains and barg- es to Portland were not available and bids for White Club Wheat were also not available. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 per- cent proteins were as follows: May $4.5850-4.65, June and July $4.65-4.7125 and August New Crop $4.6450-4.65. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: May $5.3925-5.75, June $5.52-5.77, July $5.45-5.5350 and August New Crop $5.36-5.66. Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for April delivery were 18 cents per bushel higher compared to April 21 noon bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Bids were as follows: April and May $4.9575-5.1075, June and July $5.0875-5.1875 and August New Crop $5.0950-5.2450. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North- ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during April were 13 cents per bushel higher than April 21 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 follows: April $6.35-6.75, May $6.40-6.75, June $6.5325-6.7825, July $6.5325- 6.6825 and August New Crop $6.7425-6.7925. COARSE FEEDING GRAINS Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific Northwest - BNSF shuttle trains for April delivery trended $5.25 to 6.25 cents higher from $4.42-4.43. Forward month corn bids were as follows: May $4.42-4.43, June $4.4225-4.4325 and July $4.3925-4.4125. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific North- west - BNSF shuttle trains for April delivery were not available as most exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: October $10.3250-10.3450 and November $10.3050-10.3150. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for April delivery trended steady at $3.2650 per bushel. PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS There were 19 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs- day, April 27, with six docked compared to 20 last week with six docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA. CALIFORNIA GRAINS (USDA Market News) Portland April 27 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 Tehema County NA Rail Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties NA Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa $9.35 Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties Colusa County CORN-U.S. No. 2 Yellow FOB Turlock-Tulare Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock Kings-Tulare-Fresno Rail Single Car Units via BNSF Chino Valley-Los Angeles Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock Los Angeles-Chino Valley Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties Glenn County SORGHUM-U.S. No. 2 Yellow Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley via BNSF Single OATS-U.S. No. 2 White Truck Petaluma Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock WHEAT-U.S. No. 2 or better-Hard Red Winter (Domestic Values for Flour Milling) Los Angeles 12 percent Protein Los Angeles 13 percent Protein Los Angeles 14 percent Protein Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein Los Angeles 12 percent Protein Los Angeles 13 percent Protein Los Angeles 14 percent Protein WHEAT-U.S. Durum Wheat Truck Imperial County Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties WHEAT-Any Class for Feed FOB Tulare Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties Kern County Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock King-Tulare-Fresno Counties Fresno Colusa County Kern County Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day ending April 27: BARLEY, U.S. No. 2, 48 lbs. per bushel Petaluma $9.35 Spot NA $8.25-8.50 NA $8.47 NA $7.55 $8.59 NA $8.77 NA $8.77 NA $8.20 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA California SHASTA (Shasta Livestock Auction) Cottonwood, Calif. April 28 Current week Last week 2,276 1,558 Compared to April 21: Slaughter animals $3 low- er on large supply. $10 rise in futures and live fat market resulted in feeders $5-15 higher in spots. Slaughter cows: High yielding $68-72; Med yield- ing $55-67; Low yielding $39-53. Bulls 1 and 2: $70-87. Feeder steers: 300-400 lbs. $185-210; 450-500 lbs. $171-190; 500-550 lbs. $160-183; 550-600 lbs. $140-169; 600-650 lbs. $140-162.50; 650-700 lbs. $140-159; 700-750 lbs. $132-150; 750-800 lbs. $130-138.50; 800-900 lbs. $127-144; 900- 1,000 lbs. $122-138. Feeder heifers: 300-400 lbs. $160-182; 400-450 lbs. $160-187; 450-500 lbs. $155-185; 500-550 lbs. $140-166; 550-600 lbs. $140-153.50; 600-650 lbs. $140-149.50; 650-700 lbs. $130-148; 700-750 lbs. $126-138; 750-800 lbs. $137; 800-900 lbs. $118-135. Calvy cows: Full Mouth $1,200-1,410; Broken Mouth $900-1,125. Pairs: Bigger Bunches $1,775-1,975; Smaller Lots Full Mouth $1,450-1,700; Broken Mouth $1,100-1,425. TURLOCK (Turlock Livestock Auction Yard) Turlock, Calif. April 28 Total receipts: 1,140 head. Compared to April 21: Dairy replacements $50- 100 better than a week ago. Weigh Cows and Bull market steady with a week ago. Springers: No. 1 Holstein springer $1750-2100; No. 2 Holstein springer $1300-1725; No. 1 Jersey springer $1450-1750; No. 1 Jersey cross springer $1400-1700. Weigh Beef Cows: High yielding $70-77; Med yielding $59-69; Low yielding $40-58. Weigh Dairy Cows: High yielding $67-73; Med yielding $54-66; Low yielding $35-53. Weigh Bulls: High yielding $82-98.50; Med yield- ing $75-84; Low yielding $50-74. Holstein Barren Heifers: $65-90. Idaho CALDWELL (Treasure Valley Livestock) Caldwell April 20 Steers (wt.): 400-500 lbs. $106.75; 500-600 lbs. $88.25; 600-700 lbs. $85.75; 700-800 lbs. $74; 800 lbs. and up lbs. $82.25. Heifers (wt.): 600-700 lbs. $85; 700-800 lbs. $71.25; 800-900 lbs. $89; 900-1000 lbs. $81.50; 1000-1100 lbs. $84.75; 1200 lbs. and up $80. Bull Calf (wt.): 400-500 lbs. $72; 500-600 lbs. $64; 800-900 lbs. $80. Cows (wt.): 400-500 lbs. $72; 500-600 lbs. $64; 800-900 lbs. $80. Holstein Bulls (wt.): 900-1000 lbs. $74; 1100- 1200 lbs. $72. Steers (hd.): 200-300 lbs. $225; 300-400 lbs. $240; 400-500 lbs. $270; 500-600 lbs. $390; 600- 700 lbs. $490. Heifers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $90. Oregon VALE (Producers Livestock Market) April 26 Total receipts: 1206 head. Comments: $2-4 cwt. higher on the heavier weight yearlings; lighter grass cattle steady to strong. Steer calves: 300-400 lbs. no test; 400-500 lbs. $163-184; 500-600 lbs. $151-167. Heifer calves: 300-400 lbs. $149-161; 400-500 lbs. $141-161; 500-600 lbs. $127-149. Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $139-164; 700-800 lbs. $132-145; 800-900 lbs. $121-131; 900-1000 NA $8.40-8.50 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA reporting period Del Locally lbs. $115-123. Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $126-144; 700- 800 lbs. $119-128; 800-900 lbs. $111-121; 1000 lbs. and up $107-117. Light Holstein steers, 600 lbs. and under: NA. Light Holstein steers, 700 lbs. and over: NA. Stock cows: $1125-1320. Pairs: young $1310-1700. Butcher cows: $64-71. Thin shelly cows: $47-63. Younger heiferettes: $89-115. Butcher bulls: $71-84. LEBANON (Lebanon Auction Yard) April 20 Total receipts: 357. Top Organic Cow: $101, Top 10 avg. $94.21, avg. all $75.55. Top Conventional Cow: $74, Top 10 avg. $70.30, avg. all $52.85. Top Conventional Bull $90, avg. all $65.96. Feeder Steers: 400-500 lbs. $136-161; 500-600 lbs. $140-157; 600-700 lbs. $86-157. Feeder Heifers: 300-400 lbs. $102.50-146; 400- 500 lbs. $85-143; 500-600 lbs. $114-141; 600-700 lbs. $86-142; 700-800 lbs. $109-125. Cow/Calf pairs: $700-1355 per pair. Goats: $25-105 per head. WOODBURN (Woodburn Livestock Auction) Woodburn, Ore. April 24 Total receipts: 968. Top 10 slaughter cows $72.50; top 50 slaughter cows $67.48; top 100 slaughter cows $61.57. Back to the country cows: $70. Certified cows: $80-140. Top certified organic cattle: $81. All certified or- ganic cattle average price: $54.30. All slaughter bulls: $70-80. Top beef steers: 200-300 lbs. $100-130; 300-400 lbs. $120-130; 400-500 lbs. $140-155; 500-600 lbs. $137.50-152; 600-700 lbs. $130-148; 700-800 lbs. $125-145. Top beef heifers: 300-400 lbs. $115-125; 400- 500 lbs. $130-155; 500-600 lbs. $135-150; 600- 700 lbs. $115-128; 700-800 lbs. $95-111. Cow/calf pairs: $800-1510 head. Bred cows: $800-1400. Day-old beef cross calves: NA. Day- old dairy calves: $3-25 per head. Hogs: Block hogs NA feeder pigs 55-180 per head; sows $12-30. Sheep: Lambs 40-70 lbs. $220-265, 75-150 lbs. $205-235; thin ewes $95-126; fleshy ewes $72-86; ewe/lamb pairs $95-107.50 head. Goats: 10-39 lbs. $12-75; 40-69 lbs. $42.50-145; 70-79 lbs. $67.50-200; 80-89 lbs. $80-270; 90-99 lbs. $80-275; 100-199 lbs. $100-270; 200-300 lbs. $147.50-187.50. EUGENE (Eugene Livestock Auction) Junction City, Ore. April 29 Total head count: 404. Market conditions compared to last week: Butch- er cows up $5-10; bulls steady; feeder cattle $5-10 stronger. Cows: Top cows high dressers $73-84; Top 10 cows $77.30, low dressers $58-69.50. Top bulls high dressers $91.50. Feeder Bulls: 300-500 lbs. $110-156; 500-700 lbs. $89-150; 700-900 lbs. $74-139. Choice steers: medium to large frame No. 1 and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $125-171; 400-500 lbs. $125- 167.50; 500-600 lbs. $130-162.50; 600-700 lbs. $130-159; 700-800 lbs. $120-150; 800-900 lbs. $111-140.50. Choice heifers: medium to large frame No. 1 and No. 2: 300-400 lbs. $121-159; 400-500 lbs. $131-153; 500-600 lbs. $125-151.50; 600-700 lbs. $114.50-140; 700-800 lbs. $115-130; 800 up lbs. $110-115. Bred Cows: $525-910 head. Pairs $910-1350 pair. Head calves (up to 250 lbs.); Beef $190- 350 head; Dairy $15-85 head. Feeder lambs: 50 - 90 lbs. $180-222.50, 90 to 130 lbs. $140-192.50. with a price range of $1.89-2.99. The weighted average regional price in the Northwest is $1.79, with no price range. According to California Department of Food and Agriculture, March 2017 pool receipts of milk in the state total 3.32 billion pounds. This is 3.8 percent lower compared to the same month a year ago. From January through March 2017, re- ceipts are 3.7 percent lower from the comparable period in 2016. The Value at Test price is $15.48, $1.52 lower than the previous month, but $1.60 above a year ago. The percentage of receipts used in Class 1 products is 13.29 percent. The March quota price is $15.84 and the over quota price is $14.14. These prices are $1.35 below last month, but $1.24 higher from a year ago. According to CDFA, March 2017 Class 1 sales in California totaled 54.3 million gallons, up 11.0 percent from last month, but down 1.8 percent from the previous year. From January through March 2017, Class 1 sales totaled 158.0 million gallons, down 2.9 percent from the comparable period in 2016. The NASS Milk Production report noted March 2017 milk production in the 23 selected states was 17.5 billion pounds, 1.8 percent above a year ago. Milk cows in the 23 selected states to- taled 8.71 million head, 72,000 head more than a year ago. Dairy report Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Madison FLUID MILK AND CREAM REVIEW – WEST (USDA Market News) Madison, Wis. April 28 Farm milk production in California is active, following normal seasonal patterns. Industry contacts report that some parts of the state have milk available for spot sales at discounted prices. Milk intakes into Class 1 continue to be higher. Manufacturers are getting enough milk to meet their processing needs. Pacific Northwest milk production continues to grow. Although damp conditions persist across parts of the region, cow comfort is favorable for strong milk output. Milk is in good supply for most processing needs and bottling demand is steady. Western condensed skim volumes are increas- ing; however, demand is still lower. Western cream continues to be readily available in the dairy market, outweighing processing capacities. A few contacts suggest that cream from the Southwest region is moving into Idaho. Cream premiums in California are still around 5 cents. Cream multiples this week range 1.08 to 1.19. According to the DMN National Retail Re- port-Dairy for the week of April 21-27, the national weighted average advertised price for one gallon of milk is $2.44, down $1.34 from last week, but $0.09 higher from a year ago. The weighted av- erage regional price in the Southwest is $2.41, 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) March 29 Market Commentary: Russet count carton prices continue to advance. Consumer pack prices are coming under pressure. Idaho’s shipments are slowing. SHIPPING AREA FWA Chg IDAHO BURBANKS $11.65 $0.33 IDAHO NORKOTAHS $11.28 $0.11 COLUMBIA BASIN $12.87 -$0.35 GRI Chg 70 ct Chg 10 lb. Film Chg $4.74 $0.20 $22 $1.50 $6 $0 $4.52 $0.08 $20 $1 $6 $0 $5.50 -$0.22 $20 $0 $7.50 -$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 28 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was very active this week. There were 1,480,850 lbs. of confirmed trades reported. There have been several offering over the past week, with prices for staple length wools receiving mostly 80 to 85 percent of Australian prices. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was very active this week. There were 701,020 lbs. of confirmed trades reported. All trades reported on a weighted average. Fleece States Ewe Wool: 65-70mm 21 micron $2.03; 60-65mm 22 micron $1.72; 55-60mm 23 micron $1.41; 55-60mm 26 micron $1.15. Year- ling Wool: 55-60mm 19 micron $2.59; 65-70mm 20 micron $2.66; 55-60mm 21 micron $2; 60- 65mm 22 micron $1.90; 55-60mm 24 micron $1.46; 65-75mm 27 micron $1.42. Lamb Wool: 50-55mm 19 micron $1.65; 50-55mm 23 micron $1.29; 65-70mm 24 micron $1.52; 55-60mm 25 micron $1.29. Territory States Ewe Wool: 65-70mm 20 micron $2.45; 60-65mm 21 micron $2.05; 65-70mm 22 micron $2.25; 60-65mm 23 micron $1.78; 60- 65mm 24 micron $1.59; 60-65mm 25 micron $1.50; 60-65mm 26 micron $1.33. Yearling Wool: 55-60mm 20 micron $3.20; 55-60mm 19 micron $3.06; 55-60mm 20 micron $2.78; 45-50mm 21 micron $2.09; 55-60mm 22 micron $2.28; 55- 60mm 24 micron $1.51; 55-60mm 25 micron $1.38. Lamb Wool: 40-45mm 21 micron $1.90. 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 28 Compared to April 21: Slaughter lambs were steady to $15 higher. Slaughter ewes were mostly steady to $10 lower. Feeder lambs were weak. At San Angelo, Texas, 6,335 head sold. Equity Elec- tronic Auction sold 1,900 feeder lambs in Texas. In direct trading slaughter ewes were not tested and no recent comparison on feeder lambs. 3,900 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady to $3 higher. 2,822 lamb carcasses sold with all weights no trend due to confidentiality. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3: San Angelo: shorn and wooled 115-150 lbs. $130-154. SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $230-244; 60-70 lbs. $220-240; 70-80 lbs. $220-232; 80-90 lbs. $220- 230; 90-110 lbs. $200-230. DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent): 3,900 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 125- 216 lbs. $142-187.50 (wtd avg $159.87). SLAUGHTER EWES: San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $70-77; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $76-86; Utility 1-2 (thin) $65-78; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) $60- 68; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $30-55. FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: 45-70 lbs. $224-232; 70-90 lbs. $220-233; 90-105 lbs. $206-226. REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: baby tooth wool ewes $136 per head; solid mouth wool ewes $106-122 per head; hair ewe lambs 60-75 lbs. $252-263 cwt, 95-115 lbs. $195.50-202.50 per head; yearling hair ewes $162.50-200 per head; baby tooth to solid mouth hair ewes $145-212.50 per head; mixed age hair ewes 90-140 lbs. $94-155 cwt. NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice and Prime 1-4: Weight Wtd. avg. 45 lbs. and down $506.70 45-55 lbs. Price not reported due to confidentiality 55-65 lbs. Price not reported due to confidentiality 65-75 lbs. Price not reported due to confidentiality 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 in- spection for the week to date totaled 32,000 com- pared with 31,000 last week and 47,000 last year. NA NA 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 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 28 Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are unchanged for Jumbo, Extra Large, and Large, and 3 cents higher for Medium and Small. Trade sentiment is steady with a firm undertone. Offerings are short of needs for Jumbo, moderate for Extra Large and Large and light to moderate for Medium. Demand is moderate to instances good, mostly moderate to fairly good and better into areas with ads planned or in place. Supplies are light to moderate. Market activity is moderate to active. Small benchmark price 65 cents. Size Range Size Range Jumbo 125 Extra large 117 Large 110 Medium 85 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 112-125 Extra large 108-112 Large 95-104 Medium 66-77 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. April 28 This week Last week Last year 322,600 265,400 261,600 Compared to April 21: Steers and heifers sold steady to $5 higher, with instances $8 to $10 high- er on some weight categories later in the week. After last week’s higher markets all around the country, analysts were thinking that a top had been put in on feeders and fed cattle. However, that was certainly not the case this week as early week auction prices were catching up to the previous week’s late auctions. Then mid-week rolled around again and pack- ers were again very aggressive to meet their pro- curement needs. Negotiated cash fed cattle traded in the South- ern Plains at mostly $138 this week, while some cash live sales in Nebraska traded up to $140, which would be $10 to $11 higher from two weeks ago. After the Cattle on Feed Placement report of 111 percent of a year ago being above industry expectations, analysts are wondering just how current the fed cattle marketings are going to be through the summer months. Anecdotes in the industry of 8 weight steers being sold with less than 100 days on feed makes for interesting cof- fee shop fodder. Calf-feds continue to make their way to the marketplace as steer dressed weights are now 30 lbs. under a year ago and the estimated cattle slaughter reported at 624,000. Futures on April 26 and April 27 blew their top off with limit up moves on April 27 and today has put another healthy $2 on the Live Cattle and around $4 on the Feeder Cattle. Several buyers in Nebraska auction arenas this week and had a strong influence from out of state bidders. So much so that on April 26 in Bassett, Neb., a short load of 575 lb. steers sold at $204 and two loads of 832 lb. steers sold at $155.50. Those same out of state buyers stayed around and went to Valentine, Neb., on April 27 and bought a load of 618 lb. steers at $199.50 and a load 680 lb. steers at $187. In addition to those 6 weight sales, four loads of 901 to 909 lbs. steers sold at $148.85. Beef demand continues to be robust as whole- salers and retailers are buying their meat out months in advance in anticipation of a run-up in boxed beef prices. Cold Storage report on April 24 had total red meat supplies in freezers down 5 percent from the previous month and down 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 8 percent from the previous month and down 4 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 10 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 27 percent from last month but down 68 percent from last year. Auction volume this week included 57 percent weighing over 600 lbs. and 43 percent heifers. AUCTIONS This week Last week Last year 207,300 195,400 165,700 WASHINGTON Due to scheduling conflicts this report will not be issued. DIRECT This week Last week Last year 63,900 65,900 36,500 (Arizona-California-Nevada) SOUTHWEST Due to a scheduling conflict here were no direct sales reported. (Washington-Oregon-Idaho) NORTHWEST There were no direct sales reported. NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE (USDA Market News) Oklahoma City, Okla. April 28 Slaughter cattle sold $3-6 higher. Dressed sales in Nebraska sold $7-9.50 higher in Nebras- ka. Cattle futures sharply higher this week and live cattle prices advanced accordingly. Boxed Beef prices as of April 28 averaged $214.73 up $4.20 from April 21. The Choice/ Select spread is $14.10. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through April 28 totaled about 143,594 head. The previous week’s total head count was 141,190 head. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers: $135-140. Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers $219. South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers $135-138. Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows steady to $3 lower. Ex- cept the Southeast steady to $1 higher. Slaughter bulls unevenly steady. Cutter Cow Carcass Cut- Out Value April 28 was $170.62 up $.97 from April 21.