Compared to last week, slaughter cows and bulls sold $3 to $5 higher on Wednesday at Ozarks
Regional Stockyards. Demand was good on a moderate supply of bred heifers and cows and a
light supply of slaughter animals and pairs. Today's auction saw some of the highest prices of
the year for slaughter animals. Demand for stocker and feeder cows is taking cattle destined to
slaughter back to the farm for some added gains. Spring grass coming on and rain in the
forecast helped the replacement market as well.
Top Prices of the Day
• The top slaughter bull sold for $235/cwt.
• The top slaughter cow broke the two-dollar mark, selling for $202.50/cwt.
• The top cow-calf pairs sold for $5,400/pair.
• The top bred cows sold for $4,200/head.
• One farm sold a group of 81 bred heifers (1030-1076 lbs) in the first/second stage for $3,800
to $3,900/head.
Pricing Averages Snapshot
• Breaker Cows (75-80% dressing) averaged $177.31/cwt.
• Boner Cows (80-85% dressing) averaged $175.97/cwt.
• Lean Cows (85-90% dressing) averaged $159.22/cwt.
• Slaughter Bulls (Yield Grade 1-2) averaged $205.43/cwt.
Heavier calves trade higher as CME futures climb
Compared to last week, steer and heifer calves over 600 lbs were $6 to $12 higher Tuesday,
while calves under 600 lbs were $4 to $8 lower. Demand was good on a moderate supply. The
CME Cattle Futures traded higher on Tuesday led by the Feeder Cattle Futures which traded
sharply higher. Choice boxed beef closed at $395.49, which was $4.42 lower than a week ago
but $2.52 higher than Friday's close.
• The consignment for Wednesday included 110 head of big and fancy, pasture exposed, short-
bred, Red and Black Angus heifers.
Pricing Snapshot (Per Cwt / Avg Price)
• Steers (Medium & Large 1, 412-441 lbs) averaged $592.95.
• Steers (Medium & Large 1, 502-530 lbs) averaged $524.61.
• Steers (Medium & Large 1, 600-642 lbs) averaged $451.45.
• Heifers (Medium & Large 1, 418-447 lbs) averaged $492.86.
• Heifers (Medium & Large 1, 503-545 lbs) averaged $452.85.
• Heifers (Medium & Large 1, 606-641 lbs) averaged $407.63.
Video auction sees good demand on light supply
Demand was good on a light supply for this video auction held in conjunction with the regular
feeder cattle sale. Total receipts were 395 head. All cattle offered are in Arkansas and Missouri,
with current deliveries up to 14 days from the video sale date through April 14.
Video Auction Highlights
• South Central Heifers (M&L 1, 760 lbs avg) for current delivery sold for $343/cwt.
• Southeast Steers (M&L 1, 880 lbs avg) for current delivery sold for $341/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1, 780 lbs avg) for current delivery sold for $340/cwt.
• Southeast Heifers (M&L 1-2, 730 lbs avg) for current delivery sold for $352/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
