WEST PLAINS — Compared to last week, slaughter cows and bulls were $3 to $6 lower Wednesday at the Ozarks Regional Stockyards. Demand was moderate on slaughter animals and good on replacement cattle. Total receipts reached 553 head. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Cold Storage Report was released Monday, reporting total pounds of beef in freezers down 2% from the previous month and down 4% from last year.
Top Prices of the Day
• The top slaughter bull sold for $225/cwt.
• The top slaughter cow sold for $175/cwt.
• On the replacement side, the top pair sold for $4,050/pair.
• The top bred cow sold for $3,900/head.
Pricing Averages Snapshot
• Breaker Cows (75-80% dressing): Averaged $156.41/cwt.
• Boner Cows (80-85% dressing): Averaged $156.89/cwt.
• Lean Cows (85-90% dressing): Averaged $142.96/cwt.
• Slaughter Bulls (Yield Grade 1-2): Averaged $202.57/cwt.
Uneven trends as market fundamentals overridden by rumors at feeder market
Compared to last week's light run, feeder steers and heifers were uneven from $5 lower to $5 higher on Tuesday, depending on the amount of pre-conditioning. Steer and heifer calves under 600 lbs were $10 to $20 lower. Demand was moderate on a moderate supply of 1,759 head. The USDA's Cattle on Feed Report released Friday reported inventories up 2%, placements down 11% and marketings down 7%. In spite of a bullish report, cash and futures prices are finding it hard to establish footing with news reports and rumors overriding market fundamentals.
Market Highlights
• Selling at noon on Wednesday, August 26: Replacement Quality Open Heifers (70 Black/BWF and 12 Red Angus Cross).
• Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs made up 53% of the live offering.
Pricing Snapshot (Per Cwt / Avg Price)
• Steers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 506-516 lbs (508 lbs avg): Averaged $404.09.
◦ 554-599 lbs (576 lbs avg): Averaged $386.15.
◦ 614-626 lbs (621 lbs avg): Averaged $391.04.
◦ 652-688 lbs (671 lbs avg): Averaged $367.38.
◦ 705-733 lbs (716 lbs avg): Averaged $355.24.
• Heifers (Medium & Large 1):
◦ 528-549 lbs (536 lbs avg): Averaged $351.78.
◦ 563-594 lbs (571 lbs avg): Averaged $355.12.
◦ 612-648 lbs (633 lbs avg): Averaged $338.38.
Heavy supply clears video auction with good demand
Demand was good on a heavy supply for this video auction held in conjunction with ORS' regular feeder cattle sale. Total receipts reported sold were 565 head out of 1,055 offered. All cattle offered are in Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri. All deliveries are current through September 10, representing cattle delivered up to 14 days from the video sale date.
Video Auction Highlights
• During the video auction, 90 head of 1100 lb black-hided bred heifers in the 2nd/3rd stage sold for $4,200 to $4,300/head.
• South Central Steers (M&L 1, 900 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $298.50/cwt.
• South Central Heifers (M&L 1-2, 800 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $289/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1-2, 870 lbs avg): Current delivery sold for $298/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1-2, 917 lbs avg): Current delivery averaged $295.22/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1-2, 757 lbs avg): Current delivery averaged $303.32/cwt.
Source: USDA AMS Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News MO Dept of Ag Market News - Dan Hill, Market Reporter Jefferson City, MO | (573) 751-5618 www.ams.usda.gov/lpgmn
