NATIONAL FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY – WEEK ENDING 07/27/2024

By USDA-MO Dept of Ag Market News

RECEIPTS: Auctions Direct

Video/Internet Total

This Week: 143,400 37,000 193,900 374,300

Last Week: 111,300 49,800 25,700 186,800

Year Ago: 128,400 46,100 178,700 353,200

Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers in most areas sold mostly steady to 5.00 higher, with some exceptions as much as 10.00 higher.

There was very active trading the week of July 21-27 in the major marketing areas where in most cases long strings of yearling feeders of grass weighing over 800 lbs were front and center selling with very good demand as buyers were eager to chase the market with many premiums being paid and many highlights too numerous to mention.

Northern Livestock Video out of Billings, Montana held their Annual Summertime Classic with a four day sale, heavy offering selling over 180,000 head with a long list of many impressive, historically high prices were seen with many value added, All-Natural, NHTC and GAP programs listed.

There were 5,091 head of value added steers weighing 950-1000 lbs averaging 984 lbs for Sept/Oct delivery sold for a weighted average price of 256.47; another 9,805 head of unweaned 500-550 lb steers averaging 524 lbs sold for a weighted average price of 340.21 for October delivery and the list goes on and on.

Dodge City, KS on Saturday at Winter Livestock held their King of the Ring sale with over 7,000 head on offer 1191 head 900-950 lb steers averaging 928 lbs sold for a weighted average price of 252.25 and 766 head of heifers weighing 700-750 lbs averaging 718 lbs sold with a weighted average price of 260.75.

In Bassett, NE on Wednesday sold 753 head of 1000-1050 lb steers averaging 1030 lbs for a weighted average price of 247.64. In Kearny, NE at Huss Livestock Market on Wednesday sold 1195 head steers averaging 930 lbs for a weighted average price of 257.17.

Unionville Livestock in Unionville, MO on Tuesday sold 300 head of steers averaging 878 lbs for a weighted average price of 268.88. In Ft. Pierre, SD at the FT. Pierre Livestock auction on Friday sold 1414 head of 900-950 lb steers averaging 930 lbs for a weighted average price of 256.54.

Down south in Paris, KY at the Paris Stockyards sold 110 head of 889 lb value added steers at 252.75 and 176 head of heifers weighing almost 600 lbs (599 lbs) at 286.85.

Impressive sales from far North to the South as buyers flexed their muscle in pursuing yearlings and all classes of feeders in face of historically high prices.

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report had corn at 67% good to excellent compared to 57% a year ago. It s hard to imagine in most areas any corn production problems with the size of this crop looking to overshadow demand.

Negotiated live sales in the Southern Plains were mostly 2.00 higher at 190.00 with the Northern Plains 2.00 higher at 198.00 and dressed sales 2.00 higher at 312.00.

Choice boxed-beef closed Friday 1.31 higher at 313.17 and Select 2.35 higher at 297.46 compared to last Fridays close with Choice at 313.83 and Select at 298.60.

Cattle slaughter under Federal Inspection for the week estimated at 590,000, 16,000 more than last week and 17,000 less than a year ago.

Auction volume this week included 58% over 600 lbs and 40% heifers.