NATIONAL FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY – WEEK ENDING 01/27/2024
By USDA-MO Dept of Ag Market News
RECEIPTS: Auctions Direct Video/Internet Total
This Week: 257,600 47,500 48,100 353,200
Last Week: 96,900 47,000 4,500 148,400
Year Ago: 202,400 42,200 9,200 253,800
Compared to last week, many of the large volume markets were compared to two weeks ago as many of the auctions were closed due to the bitter cold, snowstorms and transportation issues across the Northern Plains and Midwest that affected much of the country. Then on Monday many large volume sales like Oklahoma City and Joplin had much lighter receipts due to the freezing rain and ice. But regardless the market was very active as calves less than 700 lbs sold mostly 5.00-15.00 higher, spots on light weights as much 20.00 higher with over 700 lbs selling mostly 3.00-10.00 higher throughout all regions.
Direct trade was mostly 2.00-9.00 higher. Warm weather on the horizon will make for muddy feedlots but buyers were very active to own cattle as many feel feeder cattle numbers could tighten and nobody wants to get caught short. The price elevation of feeders can be difficult to estimate but it’s looking to be well north of the current markets.
Like anything else the price to play keeps going up. Feeder cattle prices opened last week with sizeable gains and continued strong throughout the week. Top billing could be and argument but on Wednesday at Torrington Livestock in Torrington, WY sold 148 head of 350-400 lb steers averaging 380 lbs for a weighted average price near 4.00 at 399.15, with 337 head of their bigger brothers between 500-550 lbsaveraging 515 lbs sold for a weighted average price of 342.08. In Valentine, NE on Thursday sold 389 head of 550-600 lb steers averaging 573 lbs for a weighted average price of 317.09 and 80 head of fancy steers weighing 608 lbs for 312.00.
In Aberdeen, SD at the Hub City Livestock auction on Wednesday sold 383 head of 600-650 lb steers averaging 624 lbs for a weighted average price of 299.06 and 482 head of their bigger brothers weighing between 800-850 lbs averaging 811 lbs for a weighted average price of 240.56.
In Kearny, NE on Wednesday at the Huss Livestock auction sold 408 head of 650-700 lb steers averaging 665 ls for a weighted average price of 270.46 and 152 head of thin steers averaging 590 lbs for a weighted average price of 306.42. In Lexington, KY on Tuesday at the Blue Grass Stockyards sold 57 head of fancy steers weighing 940 lbs for 215.25 and the list goes on and on.
Competition for the feeders has become more prevalent it looks like as orders for feeders could only get more aggressive as the calendar turns to February and March. Fed cattle trade in the Northern Plains had a good push higher with packers paying 2.00-4.00 higher on live cattle at 175.00-177.00 and dressed sales 3.00-4.00 higher at 277.00. Southern Plains was from 174.00-175.00, mostly 175.00. Choice boxed-beef for the week closed 5.03 higher at 300.53 with Select gaining 6.07 at 289.13. Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 618K, last week 617K and last year 653K. Auction volume this week included 59 pct over 600 lbs and 42 pct heifers.
