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February 9, 2018 CapitalPress.com Farm Market Report S PONSORED BY 6-1/106 For the latest market reports from around the region, go to www.capitalpress.com/markets. 13 Potato Market Reports Hay Market Reports Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA Agricultural Market Service 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 delivered customer as indicated. Grade guide- lines 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) Feb. 2 This week FOB Last week Last year 2250 4800 8700 Tons Compared to Jan. 26: Alfalfa firm in a light test. Trade slow this week with light to moderate demand. Demand remains good for feeder hay. Retail/Feedstore not tested this week. The Mid-Columbia Basin Hay Growers Meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15 at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Wash. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Premium Export 800 185.00 Good Export 950 140.00 Tarped 500 140.00 OREGON AREA HAY (USDA Market News) Feb. 2 Compared to Jan. 26: Prices trended generally steady in an extremely limited test. Retail/Stable type hay remains the most demanded hay. Most hay producers are sold out for the growing year. This week FOB Last week Last year 419 4183 1089 Tons CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUN- TIES Tons Price Alfalfa Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab 5 230.00 Orchard Grass Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab 43 238.37 Meadow Grass Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab KLAMATH BASIN: Alfalfa Fescue Grass Large Square Supreme Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab Small Square Good/Ret/Stab 25 210.00 REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Las- 25 230.00 sen and Plumas: No New Sales Confirmed. 32 176.09 REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY 23 140.00 LAKE COUNTY: Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 104 215.00 Good 34 160.00 Small Square Premium 32 185.00 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Premium 32 185.00 Triticale Large Square Good 64 120.00 EASTERN OREGON: No New Sales Confirmed. HARNEY COUNTY: No New Sales Confirmed. IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) Feb. 2 This week FOB Last week Last year 1000 14,350 5300 Tons Compared to Jan. 26: Alfalfa not tested this week, Oat and Wheat straw steady. Trade slow with light demand. Retail/Feedstore not test- ed. Prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated. Tons Price Oat Mid Square Good 400 60.00 Wheat Straw Mid Square Good 600 65.00 Fri Feb 02, 2018 USDA - CO Dept of Ag Market News CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) Feb. 2 Compared to last week: All classes traded steady with good demand. Retail hay is in high demand due to lack of hay in barns this year. Alfalfa fields were being replanted with new rains, and previously planted alfalfa was growing well. This week FOB Last week Last year 2660 4160 6075 Tons Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, So- lano and Sacramento. Alfalfa Good/Del 1000 235.00 Oat Good 100 95.00 REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stan- islaus, Tuolumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa: No New Sales Confirmed. REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY and Inyo. Supr/Del Alfalfa 250 300.00 Prem/Del 50 290.00 Good/Prem/Del 300 275.00 REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles and Western San Bernardino. No New Sales Confirmed. REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, River- side and Imperial. Alfalfa Supr/Export 160 210.00 Premium 575 210.00 Retail/Stable 175 227.14 Good 25 165.00 Fair/Good 25 160.00 Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Portland Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby deliv- ery. White club wheat premiums for guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein soft white wheat this week were zero to five cents per bushel over soft white wheat bids this week and last week. One year ago bids for US 1 Soft White Wheat guaran- teed maximum 10.5 percent protein for February delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were 4.7875 and bids for White Club Wheat were 4.7875-5.0375. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent proteins were as follows: March 5.30-5.40, April 5.42-5.4225 and May 5.42-5.4425. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: March 4.60-4.7875, April and May 4.60-4.61. Bids for 11.5 percent protein US 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for February delivery trended 27 to 32 cents per bushel higher than week ago bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby deliv- ery. This week, bids were as follows: February, March 6.12- 6.32, April and May 6.2675-6.3675. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein US 1 Dark Northern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during Febru- ary trended 1.50 cents per bushel higher than week ago bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby deliv- ery. This week, bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: February and March 7.2675-7.5175, April and May 7.4250-7.6250. Coarse feeding grains: Bids for US 2 Yellow Corn de- livered full coast Pacific Northwest - BN shuttle trains for February delivery trended 3.50 to 6.50 cents per bushel higher than week ago bids for the same delivery period from 4.4875-4.5675. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby de- livery. Forward month corn bids were as follows: March 4.4675-4.5675, April 4.50-4.55, May 4.46-4.50 and June 4.4475-4.4975. Bids for US 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pa- cific Northwest - BN shuttle trains for February delivery trended 7.25 to 12.25 cents lower than week ago bids for the same delivery period from 10.6510.70. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby deliv- ery. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: March 10.63-10.65. Bids for US 2 Heavy White Oats for Novem- ber delivery trended steady at 3.0475 per bushel. Pacific Northwest Export News: There were 15 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thursday, Feb. 1, with six docked compared to 21 last week with eight docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA. CALIFORNIA WEEKLY GRAIN REPORT Feb. 1 Paid by feed manufacturers and other users, delivered plant or receiving station. All prices are offers for prompt shipment unless otherwise stated. BARLEY US No 2 (46-lbs. per bushel) CORN US No 2 Yellow FOB Turlock/Tulare dn .01 Rail Single Car Units via BNSF Los Angeles- Chino Valley . 01-.02 Truck Stockton-Modesto- Oakdale-Turlock dn .01 8.70 Del Kings-Tulare- Fresno Counties dn .01 SORGHUM US No 2 Yellow (Milo) Rail Los Angeles- Chino Valley via BNSF unch week. Milk loads available for processing are also on the rise. As so, manufacturing plants are work- ing at full capacity, but seem to not have enough processing capacity to clear all the farm milk. Some of them are anxious about how they will manage the milk during the flush season which is getting close. Class I intakes are steady, but Class IV production is increasing. New Mexico milk production is well bal- anced. Class I, II and III intakes are trend- ing higher. Due to minor repair/mainte- nance projects, milk is moving accordingly between facilities as needed. Pacific Northwest milk is meeting expec- tations. After a dismal winter in parts of the region last year, industry contacts say milk production per cow is stronger this season. So far, this winter has been mild and con- ducive to cow comfort. Intakes are starting to climb slightly. Manufacturers report milk supplies are in balance with processing needs. Bottling demand is steady. In the mountain states of Colorado, Utah and Idaho, milk production is steady. Industry contacts report that added ca- pacity in the southern part of the region and a little stronger draw from some Class II manufacturers has helped balance sup- plies with demand, at least for the near term. There are some concerns, however, that as milk production increases through the spring and early summer, the deluge of milk may likely place added pressure on farms and processors, especially in the northern parts of the region. The western condensed skim market is lackluster. In order to reduce the milk at some facilities, loads of condensed skim are moving at discounted prices. Condensed skim is also being actively dried. Cream sales in the West are steady to lower. Butter production has increased be- cause some manufacturers are clearing more cream to the churns. A couple of producers report having to turn down helping other plants process their cream due to the lack of processing capacities. Cream multiples for all usages are lower at 1.00 - 1.10. According to the DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1, the national weighted average adver- tised price for one gallon of milk is $2.82, up $0.43 from last week, and up $0.27 from a year ago. The weighted average regional price in the Southwest is $2.96, with a price range of $1.89-$3.99. No advertised prices were reported in the Northwest this week. Pairs: 1195-1250 PR Head Calves (up to 250 lbs) Beef: 200.00-305.00 HD Dairy: NT Feeder lambs: 50-90 lbs 150.00-200.00; 90-130 lbs 110.00-160.00 174.00. Small and Medium 2-3: 200-300 lbs 197.50. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1: 600-700 lbs 157.00-166.50, Thin Fleshed. Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400 lbs 180.00-181.50; 500-600 lbs 172.00- 174.00; 600-700 lbs 144.50-149.00; 700- 800 lbs 143.00. Medium and Large 2-3: 800-900 lbs 123.00. Medium and Large 4: 700-800 lbs 64.00; 800-900 lbs 64.00. Large 1: 900- 1000 lbs 123.00. Large 2-3: 1100-1200 lbs 90.50; 1200-1300 lbs 86.50. Slaughter Cows: Boners: 80-85 Pct. Lean; 1300-2100 lbs; Avg Dressing 70.00-76.00; High Dressing 77.50-80.00; Low Dressing 65.00-70.00 Lean: 85-90 Pct. Lean 1200-1700 lbs; Avg Dressing 69.00-75.00; High Dressing 75.75-79.00; Low Dressing 64.00-69.00 Lean: 90 Pct. Lean; 900-1450 lbs; Avg Dressing 60.00-64.00; Low Dressing 55.00-60.00 Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2: 1500-2200 lbs; Avg Dressing 86.00-93.00; High Dressing 99.50; Low Dressing 74.00-86.00 Note: The USDA LPGMN price report is reflective of the majority of classes and grades of livestock offered for sale. There may be instances where some sales do not fit within reporting guidelines and therefore will not be included in the report. Livestock Auctions LEBANON (Lebanon Auction Yard) Feb. 1 Total receipts: 269 Butcher Cows: Conventional: Top Cow $73.00; Top 10 Cows $68.44; Top 50 Cows $66.10; Avg. All Cows $56.42 Organic: Top Cow, $80.00; Avg. All Or- ganic: $58.58 Bulls: Conventional: Top Bull, $83.00; Avg. All Bulls: $73.48 Goats: $135.00-$210.00 HD Lambs: $152.50 per cwt. WOODBURN (Woodburn Livestock Exchange) Receipts: 843, 250 cattle Top 10 Slaughter Cows A/P: 66.98 cwt 50 Top Slaughter Cows A/P: 63.27 cwt 100 Top Slaughter Cows A/P: 59.43 cwt Top Certified Organic Cattle: 50.00- 70.00 cwt All Slaughter Bulls: 50.00-74.00 cwt Top Beef Steers: 300-400 lbs NT cwt; 400-500 lbs 140.00-150.00 cwt; 500- 600 lbs 140.00-155.00 cwt; 600-700 lbs 135.00-136.00 cwt Top Beef Heifers: 300-400 lbs NT cwt; 400-500 lbs 130.00-140.00 cwt; 500- 600 lbs 130.00-140.00 cwt; 600-700 lbs 115.00-125.00 cwt Day Old Beef Cross Calves: 170.00- 265.00 HD Day Old Dairy Calves: 5.00-52.50 HD Goats: 10-39 lbs 18.00-50.00 HD; 40-69 Chg 70 ct Chg 10# Film Chg $7.56 -$0.41 $24.00 -$0.50 $11.00 -$0.50 $7.63 -$0.77 $22.00 -$1.00 $11.00 -$1.00 $11.73 $0.19 $26.50 $0.50 $16.00 $0.00 $7.76 -$0.05 $21.00 $0.00 $12.00 $0.00 $10.74 -$0.14 $28.00 -$1.00 $15.50 $0.00 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) Feb. 2 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was at a standstill this week. There were no con- firmed trades reported. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was at a standstill this week. There were no confirmed trades reported. NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY (USDA Market News) San Angelo, Texas Feb. 2 Compared to Jan. 26: Slaughter lambs mostly steady to 20.00 lower. However, the difference was the weight range that saw the decline. At New Holland, Pa., it was the lambs over 80 lbs, while at San Angelo, Texas, it was the lambs un- der 80 lbs. Slaughter ewes steady to 5.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, 4141 head sold. No sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In di- rect trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs were not tested. 4900 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady. 2,108 lamb carcasses sold with all weights no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (cwt) unless otherwise specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 90-160 lbs: San Angelo: shorn and wooled 100-170 lbs 126.00-136.00. Ft. Collins, Colo.: wooled 110-130 lbs 140.00-170.00; 130-140 lbs 145.00-155.00; 150-195 lbs 115.00-150.00. Billings, Mont.: no test. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs 247.00-254.00; 60- 70 lbs 224.00-246.00, few 250.00-254.00; 70- 80 lbs 200.00-218.00, few 228.00; 80-90 lbs 196.00-206.00, few 219.00; 90-110 lbs 170.00- 194.00. Ft. Collins: 58 lbs 240.00; 70-85 lbs 215.00- 220.00; 90-105 lbs 202.50-212.50. Billings: no test Direct Trading: (lambs fob with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent) 4900: Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 142-190 lbs 120.00- 141.21 (wtd avg 131.14). Slaughter Ewes: San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 66.00- 67.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 70.00-76.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 76.00-83.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 68.00-76.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 55.00-66.00; Cull 1 (extremely thin) 45.00-50.00. Ft. Collins: Good 3-5 (very fleshy) 75.00- 85.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 75.00-88.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 (extremely thin) no test. Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) no test; Utility 1-2 (thin) no test; Cull 1 no test. Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: no test. Virginia: no test. Ft. Collins: no test. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: hair ewes and lambs 82.00- 122.00 per head; mixed age hair ewes 80-130 lbs 90.00-126.00 cwt. Ft. Collins: no test. Billings: no test. Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 39,000 compared with 40,000 last week and 36,000 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 A 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) Feb. 5 Benchmark prices are 16 cents higher for all sizes. Trade sentiment is steady to lower. Demand is light to mostly moderate. Offerings are light to moderate. Supplies are light. Market activity is slow to moderate. Small benchmark price $1.77. Range Size Range Jumbo Size 228 Extra large 240 Large 236 Medium 197 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Prices to retailers, sales to volume buyers, USDA Grade AA and Grade AA, white eggs in cartons, delivered to store door. Size Range Size Range Jumbo 186-198 Extra large 176-183 Large 170-177 Medium 154-161 Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash. Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Madison, Wis. Oregon GRI Cattle Market Reports Dairy Report FLUID MILK AND CREAM REVIEW – WEST (USDA Market News) Feb. 1 California milk output continues its sea- sonal increase. Milk supplies are bountiful, and processors are managing accordingly any excess loads. Reports suggest that milk yield has in- creased above forecasted volumes. Sev- eral manufacturers continue to move some loads of condensed skim out-of-state as a way to deal with maintenance/repair downtimes. However, they have a difficult time find- ing the required transportation needed for milk hauling. In addition, a number of plants that would normally take condensed skim are full. Various dairy farmers also say that they are having a hard time finding the labor they need. Arizona milk output is up this SHIPPING AREA FWA Chg IDAHO BURBANKS $16.48 -$0.68 IDAHO NORKOTAHS $15.55 -$1.03 SAN LUIS VALLEY $19.06 $0.22 COLUMBIA BASIN $16.64 -$0.08 WISCONSIN $18.45 -$0.18 Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare Grain Market Reports 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 Feb. 1 Pacific Northwest Market Summary: Cash wheat bids for February delivery ended the reporting week on Thurs- day, Feb. 1, were mixed compared to week ago noon bids for February delivery. March wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, Feb. 1, mixed as follows compared to week ago closes: Chicago wheat futures were 16.50 cents higher at 4.51, Kansas City wheat futures were 32 cents higher at 4.67 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 1.50 cent higher at 6.1175. Chicago March corn futures trended 6.50 cents higher at 3.6175 and March soybean futures closed 7.25 cents lower at 9.85. Bids for US 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during February for ordinary protein trended steady to 8.50 cents per bushel higher compared to week ago prices for the same delivery period from 5.30- 5.44. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. White club wheat premiums were zero to five cents per bushel over soft white wheat bids this week and last week. One year ago bids for US 1 Soft White Wheat any pro- tein for February delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were 4.64-4.7375 and bids for White Club Wheat were 4.84-4.9875. Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as follows: March 5.30-5.44, April 5.42-5.47, May 5.42-5.50 and August New Crop 5.10-5.30. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: March 4.64-4.7375, April and May 4.56-4.66 and August New Crop 4.66-4.74. Bids for US 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein during February trended steady to 4.50 cents per bushel higher than week ago prices for the same delivery period from 5.25-5.40. 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) Feb. 3 lbs 42.50-165.00 HD; 70-79 lbs 82.50- 165.00 HD; 80-89 lbs 87.50-210.00 HD; 90-99 lbs 100.00-210.00 HD; 100-199 lbs 110.00-210.00 HD; 200-300 lbs 177.50- 180.00 HD EUGENE (Eugene Livestock Auction) Feb. 3 Receipts: 244 Compared to last week: Cows and bulls $5 stronger. Light feeders up $3-5. Year- lings steady. High Dressers 66.00-76.50 Top 10 Cows: 65.10 Low Dressers: 55.00-65.75 Bulls: Top Bulls High Dressers: 75.00- 90.00 Feeder Bulls: 300-500 lbs 87.00-158.00; 500-700 lbs 117.00-149.00; 700-900 lbs 87.00-125.00 Choice Steers Medium To Large Frame No. 1&2s: Feeder Steers: 300 to 400 lbs NT; 400 to 500 lbs 168.00-171.00; 500 to 600 lbs 140.00-168.50; 600 to 700 lbs 150.00- 167.75; 700 to 800 lbs 120.00; 800 to 900 lbs 124.00-126.00 Choice Heifers Medium To Large Frame No. 1&2s: Feeder Heifers: 300 to 400 lbs 120.00- 150.00; 400 to 500 lbs 130.00-152.00; 500 to 600 lbs 130.00-154.00; 600 to 700 lbs 130.00-144.00; 700 to 800 lbs 120.00- 141.00; 800 and up 109.00 Bred Cows: 735-1160 HD Washington TOPPENISH Feb. 1 Receipts: 1215 Compared to Jan. 25 at the same mar- ket: Stocker cattle and feeder cattle steady to firm in a light test. The CME Feeder and Live Cattle futures closed sharply higher with some months trading up the limit. Trade active with good demand for all classes. Slaughter cows and bulls 5.00- 11.00 higher. Trade very active with very good demand due in part to less beef type cows are coming to market. Slaughter cows 54 percent, slaughter bulls 5 per- cent, and feeders 41 percent of the supply. The feeder supply included 61 percent steers and 39 percent heifers. Near 74 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400 lbs 217.50; 400-500 lbs 205.00; 500-600 lbs 168.00-176.00; 600-700 lbs 160.50-163.00; 700-800 lbs 155.00- 158.00; 800-900 lbs 138.00-144.00. Large 1: 700-800 lbs 149.00; 900-1000 lbs 134.50; 1400-1500 lbs 108.00. Large 2-3: 900-1000 lbs 123.00. Small and Medium 1-2: 500-600 lbs NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE (Federal-State Market News) St. Joseph, Mo. Feb. 2 This week Last week 2017 326,900 387,400 349,800 Compared to last week: Steers and heif- ers sold steady to 4.00 higher. Buyers bid readily from start to finish nationwide for the heavy supply of mostly weaned calves and feeder cattle on offer this week. At a few auctions in the Northern Plains, demand was noticeable on top quality re- placement heifers slated to go back to the breeding pen. At the Sioux Falls Regional Livestock Auc- tion on Monday, a part load of 709 lb heifers sold at 156.00. On Wednesday at Huss-Platte Valley Live- stock Auction in Kearney, NE a package 612 lb heifers sold at 200.00 and a short load of 812 lb heifers sold at 156.00. Good feeding steers were also in high de- mand in Valentine, Neb., on Thursday as a load of red white faced steers weighing 731 lbs sold at 171.75. Cattle herd expansion continued in 2017, according to USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service’s 2018 Cattle Inventory Report, although at a much slower pace than 2016. The 2018 cattle herd of 94.4 million head is the largest reported total in nine years. The report shows inventories of beef cows and heifers calved were up 2 percent at 31.7 million head as of Jan. 1, 2018. Replacement beef heifer inventories as of Jan. 1 were down 4 percent at 6.13 million head, suggesting producers are scaling back intentions to continue growing the herd into 2018. The 2017 calf crop in the U.S. was esti- mated at 35.8 million head, up 2 percent from last year’s calf crop. Calves born during the first half of 2017 were estimated at 26.0 million head, up 2 percent from the first half of 2016. Calves born during the second half of 2017 were estimated at 9.81 million head, 27 percent of the total 2017 calf crop. With the recent drought conditions in the Southern Plains, cattle have been moving off wheat and winter pastures at a pretty good clip; enough so, that the 1.5 million head listed as grazing on small grain pas- ture is the lowest total since January 2013, when the severe drought in fall of 2012 was realized. The Jan. 1 Cattle On Feed Report has now been reported over 11 million head for three consecutive months, inferring that cattle numbers are getting back to 2012 levels. Compared to last Friday, CME cattle com- plex saw the Live Cattle Contracts 1.25 to 2.30 higher while the Feeder Cattle con- tracts were 3.45 to 4.60 higher. Solid footing in the futures have boded well for the cattle industry with cash fed cattle trading 1.00 lower at mostly 126.00 live and steady at 200.00 dressed this week. The Restaurant Performance Index re- leased this week posted a solid gain in De- cember as stronger same store sales and customer traffic levels drove the RPI to 102.9 for the month of December. Auction volume this week included 62 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 40 percent heifers. NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE SUMMARY Feb. 2 Slaughter cattle traded mostly steady for live and dressed offerings. Boxed Beef prices as of Friday afternoon averaged 206.78 up 2.45 from last Friday. The Choice/Select spread is 5.65. Slaugh- ter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through Friday afternoon totaled 104,000 head. Last week’s total head count was 25,000. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers:127.00; Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers: 200.00 South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 126.00- 127.00 Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yield- ing Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls sold steady to 2.00 higher. Packer demand good as cow numbers were lighter at most sales again this week. Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value Friday was 172.08 up 0.15 from last Friday. NORTHWEST WEIGHTED DIRECT FEEDER CATTLE Feb. 2 This week Last week 2017 180 4,773 2550 Compared to last week: Feeder steers not established. Feeder heifers not well tested. Demand moderate. The feeder supply included 100 percent over 600 lbs and 100 percent heifers. Unless otherwise stated prices are FOB weighting points with 2-3 percent shrink or equivalent and a 5-10 cent slide on calves and a 4-12 cent slide on yearlings from base weights. Current sales are up to 14 days delivery. Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1: Not established. Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1: 180 HD; Avg Wt 675 lbs; Avg. Price $148.00; Current Del