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April 6, 2018 CapitalPress.com Farm Market Report S PONSORED BY ROP-14-4-3/106 For the latest market reports from around the region, go to www.capitalpress.com/markets. 13 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 delivered customer as indicated. Grade guidelines used in this report have the following relationship to Relative Feed Value (RFV), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients), or Crude Protein (CP) test numbers: GRADE RFV ADF TDN CP SUPREME 185+ <27 55.9+ 22+ PREMIUM 170-185 27-29 54.5-55.9 20-22 GOOD 150-170 29-32 52.5-54.5 18-20 FAIR 130-150 32-35 50.5-52.5 16-18 UTILITY <130 36+ <50.5 <16 WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY (Columbia Basin) (USDA Market News) March 23 This week FOB Last week Last year 8,665 17,150 9,350 tons Compared to March 23: Alfalfa firm in a light test. Trade slow this week for old crop. Moderate trade was noted this week for new crop export hay not tarped. Some discounts may apply if rain damaged. Retail/Feedstore not tested. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated. Tons Price Alfalfa Mid Square Good/Prem/New Crop 4250 165.00 Good/Tarped 400 165.00 Fair/Good/ New Crop 4015 145.00 OREGON AREA HAY (USDA Market News) March 30 Compared to March 23: 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 509 2098 1544 tons CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES Tons Price Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 32 165.00 Premium 100 140.00 Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab 17 230.00 Orchard Grass Triticale EASTERN OREGON: Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Orchard Grass Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab Large Square Good/Premium Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab Small Square Prem/Ret/Stab 23 230.00 50 165.00 15 178.33 10 175.00 LAKE COUNTY: Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 104 215.00 Good 35 165.00 Small Square Premium 30 185.00 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Premium 30 185.00 Good 30 150.00 Oat Large Square Good/Premium 33 120.00 HARNEY COUNTY: No New Sales Confirmed. KLAMATH BASIN: No New Sales Confirmed. IDAHO HAY (USDA Market News) March 30 This week FOB Last week Last year 125,150 200 32,300 tons Compared to March 23: Alfalfa steady in a light test. Exporters reported the first contracts of new crop Alfalfa for 2018. Prices for new crop export Alfalfa reported this week will have price re-ne- gotiated for heavy rain damage. Trade very active especially for contracts for new crop with good demand. Alfalfa Mid Square Supr/New Crop 25,000 145.00 Prem/New Crop 25,000 140.00 Good/New Crop 25,000 130.00 Fair/New Crop 25,000 125.00 Tarped 150 100.00 Util/New Crop 25,000 120.00 CALIFORNIA HAY (USDA Market News) March 30 Compared to March 23: All classes traded steady with very good demand. River basin snow water content now measures 75-90 percent of average in the central Sierra. The recent storm allowed the contraction of drought across much of the West. This week FOB Last week Last year 4,100 2,325 2,598 tons REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen and Plumas. Alfalfa Good/Prem 100 188.00 Good 50 175.00 Fair/Good 50 150.00 Wheat Straw Good 100 90.00 REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano and Sacra- mento. Alfalfa Prem/Clippings 100 210.00 Retail/Stable 25 260.00 Good/Prem/ Del 100 250.00 REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa. Alfalfa Prem/Del 100 270.00 Good/Pre/Del 200 245.00 Del Ret/Stab/Del 300 250.00 Good/Del 200 205.00 Fair/Good 175 140.00 Wheat Straw Good/Del 100 150.00 REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles and Western San Bernardino. Alfalfa Supr/Del 500 295.00 Good/Prem/Del 200 240.00 Good/Del 200 225.00 REGION 5: Southern California: No New Sales Confirmed. REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial. Alfalfa Prem/Supr 600 232.00 Prem 720 213.06 Rain Dam 280 190.00 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 March 29 Pacific Northwest Market Summary: Cash wheat bids for March delivery ended the reporting week on Thursday, March 29, were mixed, compared to week ago noon bids for March delivery. May wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, March 29, lower as follows compared to week ago closes: Chi- cago wheat futures were 4.75 cents lower at 4.51, Kansas City wheat futures were 3.75 cents lower at 4.6725 and Minneapolis wheat futures trended 14.50 cents lower at 5.7850. Chicago May corn futures trended 11.75 cents higher at 3.8775 and May soy- bean futures closed 15 cents higher at 10.4475. Bids for US 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit trains or barges during March for ordinary protein trended steady to 0.25 of a cent per bushel higher compared to week ago prices for the same delivery period from 5.40-5.66. 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 protein for March delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were 4.4550-4.7050 and bids for White Club Wheat were 4.4550- 4.8050. Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were as follows: April 5.40-5.71, May 5.63-5.76, June 5.65-5.7350 and August New Crop 5.50-5.6025. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: April and May 4.4550-4.73, June 4.4850-4.76 and August New Crop 4.5375-4.72. Bids for US 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein during March trended steady to 0.25 of a cent per bushel higher than week ago prices for the same delivery period from 5.25-5.66. 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 five cents per bushel over soft white wheat bids this week and last week. One year ago bids for US 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 percent protein for March delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were 4.4550-4.7550 and bids for White Club Wheat were 4.5550-4.8550. Forward month bids for soft white wheat guaranteed 10.5 per- cent proteins were as follows: April 5.40-5.71, May 5.65-5.76, June 5.70-5.7350 and August New Crop 5.50-5.6025. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: April and May 4.4550-4.7550 and Au- gust New Crop 4.5375-4.70. Bids for 11.5 percent protein US 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for March delivery trended mixed, from 3.75 cents lower to 1.25 cents per bushel higher than week ago bids for the same de- livery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. This week, bids were as follows: March 5.9725-6.2725, April and May 6.0225-6.2725, June 6.2125-6.2425 and August New Crop 6.0525. Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein US 1 Dark Northern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during March trended 14.50 cents per bushel lower than week ago bids for the same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. This week, bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as follows: March 6.9350-7.1350, April 6.9350-7.1650, May 6.9850- 7.2350, June 6.9650-7.2650 and August New Crop 7.24-7.29. COARSE FEEDING GRAINS: Bids for US 2 Yellow Corn de- livered full coast Pacific Northwest-BN shuttle trains for March delivery trended 9.75 to 11.75 cents per bushel higher than week ago bids for the same delivery period from 4.8275-4.9575. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. For- ward month corn bids were as follows: April 4.9475-5.0375, May 4.9275-4.9575, June 4.9625-5.0225 and July 4.8125-4.9625. Bids for US 1 Yellow Soybeans delivered full coast Pacific Northwest-BN shuttle trains for March delivery trended 15.00 cents higher than week ago bids for the same delivery period from 11.2475-11.2975. Some exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: April 11.2975, May 11.3475, June 11.4550-11.5050, July 11.4550-11.5250 and October 11.3775-11.4475. Bids for US 2 Heavy White Oats for March delivery trended steady at 3.4825 per bushel. Outstanding Export Sales: Outstanding U.S. white wheat ex- port sales can be found at the following link: https://apps.fas. usda.gov/export-sales/wheat.htm Outstanding U.S. barley export sales can be found at the fol- lowing link: https://apps.fas.usda.gov/export-sales/barley.htm Pacific Northwest Export News: There were 22 grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thursday, March 29, with five docked compared to 23 last week with six docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA. California Weekly Grain Report March 29 No trades were reported for the week. Dairy Report Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Madison, Wis. FLUID MILK AND CREAM REVIEW – WEST (USDA Market News) March 29 Processing plants in California are running full-time to clear as much milk as possible. Milk loads continue to be plenteous in the state. Some plant managers are sending milk to other locations within and out of the state to help with processing duties. Milk yield is unchanged from a week ago. As the spring holiday approaches, Class I intakes are slipping down. In Arizona, manufacturers are under a lot of pressure in that they have too much milk avail- able for processing and limited processing ca- pacities. Some of them are finding it challenging to get additional manufacturing spaces at other plants. Cooler nighttime temperatures are provid- ing comfort for cows and promoting more milk output. Arizona alfalfa conditions are rated for the most part good to excellent. Harvesting is taking place on three-quarters of the alfalfa acreage in the state. Soil moistures are also ninety percent ade- quate to surplus. According to the NASS New Mexico Crop Progress report, 99 percent of the state of New Mexico is reported as abnormally dry or worse. Despite all, New Mexico milk production is ac- tive. Supplies of milk are adequate to satisfy the needs of all the different milk Classes. Bottling milk requests have decreased for the reason that schools closed this week for the spring break. Pacific Northwest dairy contacts report milk production is steady and on target with expected volumes. Bottling demand is slightly lower due to the spring holidays and a number of educational institutions taking a break during spring terms. Manufacturers say they are not having any trouble getting the milk needed for most pro- cessing needs. In the mountain states of Idaho, Utah and Col- orado, milk volumes are steady to higher. Cur- rent milk volumes continue to progress ahead of last year’s output due to favorable weather, increases in the milking herd and milk per cow. Manufacturers have plenty of milk for processing needs. Industry contacts report some discount- ed loads are available as milk handlers seek out homes for the milk. Condensed skim is readily available in the western spot market. Prices are lower and find- ing sufficient processing capacities is a great challenge for some manufacturers. In the West, the cream market has softened a little bit. Contacts report that in some areas, cream prices seem more flexible as demand is lower and supplies on hand remain plenteous. Cream multiples for this week are 1.00-1.22. According to the DMN National Retail Re- port-Dairy for the week of March 23-29, the national weighted average advertised price for one gallon of milk is $2.44, down $0.11 from last week, but up $0.02 from a year ago. The weight- ed average regional price in the Southwest is $2.47 with a price range of $1.99-$2.79. The weighted average regional price in the North- west is $1.79 with no price range. According to California Department of Food and Agriculture, February 2018 pool receipts of milk in the state total 3.03 billion pounds. This is 2.8 percent higher compared to the same month a year ago. From January through February 2018, receipts are 1.6 percent higher from the comparable period in 2017. The Value at Test price is $14.48, $.35 lower than the previous month, and $2.52 below a year ago. The percentage of receipts used in Class 1 products is 12.83 percent. The January quo- ta price is $14.71 and the over quota price is $13.01. These prices are $.23 below last month and $2.48 lower from a year ago. Pairs: $900-1395 Pr Head Calves (Up to 250 lbs) Beef: $230- 425 Hd; Dairy: $32.50-52.50 Hd Feeder Lambs: 50-90 lbs 180.00-232.50; 90-130 lbs 110.00-150.00 LEBANON (Lebanon Auction Yard) March 29 Total Receipts: 289 Butcher Cows: Conventional: Top Cow, $76.00; Top 10 Cows, $72.19; Top 50 Cows, $69.06; Top 100 Cows, $65.18 Organic: Top Cow, $93.00; Top 10 Organic: $75.56. Bulls: Conventional: Top Bull, $102.00; Avg. All Bulls, $86.39. KLAMATH FALLS (Klamath Falls Livestock Auction) March 27 Choice Steers: 300-400 lbs 154.00-181.51; 400-500 lbs 139.00-162.00; 500-600 lbs 129.00-141.00; 600-700 lbs 111.00-135.00; 700-800 lbs 105.00-107.00 Choice Heifers: 300-400 lbs 115.00-142.00; 400-500 lbs 129.00-153.00; 500-600 lbs 122.00-135.00; 600-700 lbs 109.00-132.00; 700-800 lbs 101.00-110.50 Top Cow: 72.00 Top Bull: 95:00 Slaughter Bulls: High Yield 72.00-95.00 Slaughter Cows: High Yield 65.00-72.00; Med Yield 59.00-63.00; Low Yield 35.00- 50.00 Feeder Heiferettes: NT Cow Calf Pairs: 1170.00-1460.00 Bred Cows: 970.00-1020.00 with good demand. Slaughter cows 52 per- cent, slaughter bulls 10 percent, and feeders 38 percent of the supply. The feeder supply included 33 percent steers and 67 percent heifers. Near 74 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400- 500 lbs 170.00; 500-600 lbs 167.00-171.50; 600-700 lbs 155.00-166.00; 700-800 lbs 129.00-139.00; 700-800 lbs 144.00-145.00, Value Added; 800-900 lbs 125.00-127.75. Large 1-2: 1000-1100 lbs 109.75-114.50. Feeder Holstein Steers: Medium and Large 2-3: 400-500 lbs 143.00; 500-600 lbs 134.00. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 500-600 lbs 150.00-160.00; 500-600 lbs 162.00, Value Added; 600-700 lbs 144.00- 152.00; 600-700 lbs 139.00, Fleshy; 600- 700 lbs 159.00, Thin Fleshed; 700-800 lbs 117.75-125.00; 700-800 lbs 135.00-140.00, Thin Fleshed; 800-900 lbs 115.50-116.00. Medium and Large 2-3: 500-600 lbs 130.50. Large 2-3: 800-900 lbs 86.50; 1000-1100 lbs 84.50-84.75; 1200-1300 lbs 84.50; 1400-1500 lbs 84.50. Small and Medium 1-2: 500-600 lbs 138.00-145.00. Slaughter Cows: Boners: 80-85 Pct. Lean; 1300-2100 lbs; Avg Dressing 69.00-74.00; High Dressing 74.50; Low Dressing 64.00-69.00 Lean: 85-90 Pct. Lean; 1100-1800 lbs; Avg Dressing 66.00-73.00; Low Dressing 61.00- 66.00 Lean: 90 Pct. Lean; 900-1400 lbs; Avg Dressing 58.00-61.00; Low Dressing 51.00- 57.00 Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2: 1500-2450 lbs Avg Dress- ing 98.00-104.00; Low Dressing 90.00-98.00 Yield Grade 2: 1700-2500 lbs; Low Dressing 75.00-86.50 Please 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. Prices are reported on a per cwt basis, unless otherwise noted. Livestock Auctions California TURLOCK (Turlock Livestock Auction Yard) March 27 Comments: Sales receipts lower due to improved weather and grass conditions. Very Light test and No. 1 feeders. Weigh cow and bull market showing signs of improvement. No. 2 Med and Large Frame Steers: 300- 399 lbs 130.00-173.50; 400-499 lbs 125.00- 170.00; 500-599 lbs 120.00-151.00; 600-699 lbs 115.00-140.00; 800-899 lbs NT No. 2 Med and Large Frame Heifers: 300- 399 lbs 125.00-155.00; 400-499 lbs 120.00- 153.00; 500-599 lbs 115.00-134.50; 600-699 lbs 110.00-130.00; 800-899 lbs NT Holstein Barren Heifers: 65.00-88.00 Weigh Beef Cows: High Yielding 68.00- 79.00; Med Yielding 61.00-67.00; Low Yield- ing 45.00-60.00 Weigh Dairy Cows: High Yielding 85.00- 91.50; Med Yielding 78.00-84.00; Low Yield- ing 40.00-61.00 Weigh Bulls: High Yielding 85.00-91.50; Med Yielding 78.00-84.00; Low Yielding 65.00-77.00 Oregon WOODBURN (Woodburn Livestock Exchange) March 26-27 Receipts: 1029, 384 Cattle Top 10 Slaughter Cows A/P: 69.79 cwt Top 50 Slaughter Cows A/P: 65.96 cwt Top 100 Slaughter Cows A/P: 61.58 cwt Back To The Country Cows: 70.00 cwt Certified Cows: 80.00-140.00 cwt Top Certified Organic Cattle: 65.00-70.00 cwt All Slaughter Bulls: 67.50-83.50 cwt Top Beef Steers: 200-300 lbs 145.00- 165.00 cwt; 300-400 lbs 150.00-184.00 cwt; 400-500 lbs 145.00-165.00 cwt; 500-600 lbs 145.00-165.00 cwt; 600-700 lbs 135.00- 164.00 cwt; 700-800 lbs 120.00-149.00 cwt Top Beef Heifers: 200-300 lbs NT; 300-400 lbs 140.00-175.00 cwt; 400-500 lbs 130.00- 155.00 cwt; 500-600 lbs 130.00-149.00 cwt; 600-700 lbs 115.00-131.00 cwt; 700-800 lbs 100.00-117.00 cwt Cow/Calf Pairs: 1150.00-1285.00 Hd Bred Cows: 550.00-950.00 Hd Day Old Beef Cross Calves: 130.00-275.00 Hd Day Old Dairy Calves: 10.00-50.00 Hd Block Hogs: 100.00-113.00 cwt Feeder Pigs: 60.00-70.00 Hd Sows: 18.00-34.00 cwt Weaner Pigs: 37.50-50.00 Hd Lambs: 40-70 lbs 175.00-217.50 cwt; 75- 150 lbs 125.00-192.50 cwt Thin Ewes: 10.00-59.00 cwt Fleshy Ewes: 56.00-68.00 cwt Ewe/Lamb Pairs: 47.50-75.00 Hd Goats: 10-39 lbs 30.00-92.50 Hd; 40-69 lbs 30.00-147.50 Hd; 70-79 lbs 120.00-180.00 Hd; 80-89 lbs 117.50-242.50 Hd; 90-99 lbs 80.00-250.00 Hd; 100-199 lbs 52.50-255.00 Hd; 200-300 lbs 200.00-270.00 Hd EUGENE (Eugene Livestock Auction) March 31 Head Count: 338 Market Conditions Compared to Last Week: Cows steady. Bulls stronger. Feeder cattle steady. High Dressers: 58.00-65.50 Top 10 Cows: 60.05 Low Dressers: 50.00-58.00 Bulls: Top Bulls High Dressers: 74.00-96.00 Feeder Bulls: 300-500 lbs: 120.00-161.00; 500-700 lbs: 112.00-144.00; 700-900 lbs: 106.00 Choice Steers: Medium To Large Frame No. 1 & 2s: Feeder Steers: 300 to 400 lbs 130.00- 165.00; 400 to 500 lbs 130.00-164.00; 500 to 600 lbs 128.00-164.00; 600 to 700 lbs 120.00- 156.00; 700 to 800 lbs 123.00-125.00; 800 to 900 lbs 116.00 Choice Heifers Medium To Large Frame No. 1 & 2s: Feeder Heifers: 300 to 400 lbs 125.00- 156.00; 400 to 500 lbs 125.00-149.00; 500 to 600 lbs 130.00-146.00; 600 to 700 lbs 120.00- 139.00; 700 to 800 lbs 106.00-114.00 Light Test; 800 lbs and up 104.00 Light Test Bred Cows: $600-800 Hd Washington TOPPENISH (Toppenish Livestock Auction) March 29 Receipts: 1320 Compared to last Thursday at the same market: Stocker and feeder steers firm. Stocker heifers less 700 lbs. 8.00-9.00 higher. Feeder heifers more than 700 lbs. 6.00-7.00 lower. Trade active with good demand for all classes. Slaughter cows 1.00-2.00 higher. Slaughter bulls 5.00-6.00 higher. Trade active 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) March 3 SHIPPING AREA FWA CHG GRI CHG 70 CT CHG 10# FILM CHG IDAHO BURBANKS $14.86 $0.49 $6.59 $0.29 $24.50 $1.50 $9.00 $0.00 IDAHO NORKOTAHS $13.58 $0.09 $6.15 $0.07 $22.00 $0.50 $9.00 $0.00 SAN LUIS VALLEY $19.01 $0.20 $11.68 $0.18 $27.00 $1.00 $16.00 $0.00 COLUMBIA BASIN $17.22 $0.36 $8.12 $0.22 $24.50 $0.50 $12.00 $0.00 Sheep/Wool Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Greeley, Colo.-San Angelo, Texas Sheep prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement animals on per head basis as indicated. NATIONAL WOOL REVIEW (USDA Market News) March 30 Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was active this week. There were 512,983 lbs of confirmed trades reported. Prices for clean wool fell mostly between 85 to 90 percent of Australian prices, with several eclipsing 90 percent. Notably, there was a clip of 101 mm 17 micron Yearling territory wool that traded at 8.24 per pound clean. Prices reflect trades FOB warehouse in original bag or square pack, bellies out, some graded and 76 mm or longer. Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was active this week. There were 128,055 lbs of confirmed trades reported. All trades reported on a weighted average. Fleece States Ewe Wool: 60-65mm 21 micron 2.22; 60-65mm 22 micron 2.09; 65-75mm 23 micron 2.93; 60-65mm 24 micron 1.94. Yearling Wool: 70-75mm 19 micron 3.70; 65-70mm 20 micron 2.81. Lamb Wool:45-55mm 20 micron 2.08; 45-55mm 22 micron 1.70; 60-70mm 23 micron 2.07. Bellies: 60-65mm 21 micron 1.55. Territory States Ewe Wool: 65-70mm 21 mi- cron 3.13; 60-65mm 22 micron 2.65; 60-65mm 23 micron 2.40. Yearling Wool 101mm 17 mi- cron 5.58; 50-55mm 19 micron 3.24. Bellies: 50-60mm 22 micron 1.41. New Mexico Yearling Wool: 65mm 19 micron 3.47: 65mm 20 micron 3.40. Lamb Wool: 65- 70mm 20 micron 3.69. NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY (USDA Market News) San Angelo, Texas March 30 Compared to March 23: Slaughter lambs were weak to 15.00 lower, except lambs under 60 lbs at New Holland, Pa., steady to 20.00 higher. Slaughter ewes steady to 10.00 lower, except at San Angelo, Texas, and Ft. Collins, Colo., firm to 6.00 higher. Feeder lambs steady to sharply lower in light test. At San Angelo 5426 head sold. No sales in Equity Electronic Auction. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 2800 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady to 3.00 higher. 3,888 lamb carcasses sold with all weights no trend due to confidentiality. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 90-160 lbs: San Angelo: shorn and wooled 110-150 lbs 130.00-137.00. VA: no test. PA: shorn and wooled 90-110 lbs 235.00- 252.00; 110-130 lbs 210.00-230.00; 130-150 lbs 172.00-190.00; 150-200 lbs 150.00-170.00. Ft. Collins, CO: wooled 155-195 lbs 120.00- 150.00. South Dakota: shorn and wooled 120-125 lbs 152.00-164.00; 146 lbs 145.00; 150-170 lbs 131.00-138.00. Kalona, IA: wooled 125-130 lbs 137.00- 141.00; 140-145 lbs 125.00-130.00. Billings, MT: no test. Missouri: no test. Equity Elec: no sales. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: San Angelo: 40-60 lbs 200.00-222.00, few 228.00; 60-70 lbs 200.00-212.00, few 214.00- 218.00; 70-80 lbs 195.00-210.00, few 211.00- 214.00; 80-90 lbs 190.00-208.00; 90-110 lbs 170.00-175.00. Pennsylvania: 20-30 lbs 270.00-315.00; 30-40 lbs 290.00-315.00, few 320.00-335.00; 40-50 lbs 270.00-305.00, few 305.00-320.00; 50-60 lbs 250.00-287.00, few 290.00-300.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00-265.00, few 265.00-275.00; 70-80 lbs 220.00-255.00, few 255.00-275.00; 80-90 lbs 210.00-235.00, few 235.00-245.00; 90-110 lbs 220.00-230.00. Kalona, IA: 30-40 lbs 237.00-270.00; 40-50 lbs 240.00-260.00; 50-60 lbs 225.00-261.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00-245.00; 70-80 lbs 202.50- 227.50; 80-90 lbs 212.00-215.00; 90-100 lbs 202.50-210.00. Ft. Collins: 40-60 lbs 210.00-225.00, few 260.00; 60-80 lbs 205.00-225.00, few 245.00; 80-90 lbs 180.00-205.00; 90-100 lbs 180.00- 195.00. 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) March 30 Benchmark prices are unchanged. Asking prices for next week are unchanged for Jumbo, Extra Large and Large and 5 cents lower for Medium and Small. The undertone is cautiously steady. De- mand ranges light to fairly good. Offerings are moderate. Supplies are light to moderate. Market activ- ity is slow to at times moderate. Small benchmark price $1.95. Current transportation costs have been noted as increasing an average of 4-6 cents per dozen for delivery for some California producers. Size Range Size Range Jumbo 301 Extra large 337 Large 335 Medium 215 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 288-300 Extra large 325-332 Large 323-330 Medium 203-210 Cattle Market Reports Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash. NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE (Federal-State Market News) St. Joseph, Mo. March 30 This week Last week 2017 201,900 296,500 311,300 Compared to March 23: Feeder steers heifers sold 1.00 to 5.00 lower, with lighter calves in the Southeast as much as 8.00 lower. Demand was moderate to good at most auctions this week, with calves suitable for grass having the best demand. There are still some yearling cattle showing up at auctions and some are com- manding handsome prices. On Wednesday at the St. Joseph Stockyards in St Joseph, Mo., a package of 635 lb steers sold at 199.00. Just 75 miles up the road on Thursday at Clarinda Livestock Auction in Clarinda, Iowa, a part load of 651 lb steers sold at 176.00. On Monday at F&T Livestock in Palmy- ra, Mo., a package of 650 lbs steers sold at 178.00 and on Tuesday at Lolli Brothers in Macon, Mo., a package of 707 lb steers sold at 166.50. Feeder buyers have been more willing to dip down and procure smaller packages of top quality cattle as the numbers at auctions are sure to dwindle in the coming months. Heifers ready to take home and make cows for a long time were in demand in the North Plains late last week. Last Friday at Fort Pierre Livestock in Fort Pierre, S.D., a load of 847 lb replacement quality bangs vaccinated heifers sold at 146.00 while a half load of 886 lbs sim- ilar heifers sold at 145.75. Volatility throughout the futures markets this week held the bulls in check as the bears solidly took over. The front five months of CME Live Cattle contracts were 2.30 to 3.63 lower and Feeders were 1.88 to 3.28 lower. The June Live Cattle Contract closed on Friday at the lowest value since late April 2017. Significant equity has vanished from the Cattle complex in recent weeks as feedlot man- agers trade a substantial amount of cattle out front for future delivery in order to lock in a price ahead of the normal calf-feds hitting the supply chain in late April to early May. Fed cattle supplies increasing in the weeks ahead and anticipation of lower prices has been the focus of this cattle market and pack- ers bought the second largest weekly total pur- chased for 15-30 day deliveries since the data series started in March of 2010. Placements in the September to November time frame were roughly 12.5 percent above the previous year placements and winter weather in the Southern Plains has been good for weight gains, so an increase over year ago carcass weights are also expected. For the first two months of the year, steer carcass weights are 2 pounds above year ago levels and 7 pounds above the previous three year average. Packers didn’t have to work hard to buy cattle at lower levels this week as they surfaced on Tuesday ready to procure cattle with sales from 120.00 to 121.00 in the Southern and Northern Plains, mostly 5.00 lower. Cattle Slaughter for the February Year to Date is nearly 5.1 million head; 4.7 percent higher than a year ago and 9.7 percent higher than the previous three-year average. That total of 5.092 million head is the largest since the 2013 total of 5.100 million head. Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.06 billion pounds in Feb- ruary and was a record high production for the month of February. Beef production totaled 1.98 billion pounds in February and was 3 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.42 million head, up 2 percent from February 2017. Pork production totaled 2.06 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.64 million head, up 3 per- cent from February 2017. January to February 2018 commercial red meat production was 8.65 billion pounds, up 5 percent from 2017. The quarterly Hogs and Pigs report was estimated at 72.908 million head, a record for the data series that started in 1988. The grain markets were sharply higher on Thursday after the annual Prospective Plant- ings report was released. A surprise this year is the anticipation of more soybean acres planted than that of corn. Corn acres are estimated at 88.0 million, down 2 percent from last year. Soy- bean acres are estimated at 89.0 million; down 1 percent from year ago. Auction volume this week included 54 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 44 percent heifers. NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE SUMMARY March 30 Slaughter cattle traded mostly 4.00-5.00 low- er for live and 10.00-13.00 lower for dressed sales. Boxed Beef prices as of Friday at Noon averaged 214.83 down 4.92 from last Friday. The Choice/Select spread is 12.07. Slaugh- ter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through Friday afternoon totaled 92,484 head. Last week’s total head count was 126,648. Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers: 120.00- 122.00. Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers: 190.00. South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 121.00. Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls sold steady to 2.00 lower. Packer demand moderate. Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value on Friday 172.49.