Feeder Lambs Steady, Fats Up And Down
Feeder lambs remain scarce and for the most part sold steady. A few areas are getting newcrop offerings, but they, too, are scarce. Most of the feeder weight lambs are going directly into slaughter channels, and quality doesn’t seem to be a big factor. It is the lightweight carcass that is in demand.

Plains Feedlots And Packers Still Dollars Apart On Price
Plains fed cattle trade remained at a standstill through midweek yet again. Texas Panhandle area bids ran to $66 and asking prices were around $70, leaving a wide gulf to bridge. Last week's trade gained $2 to $68 on 42,500 head, but it did not develop until Friday afternoon following release of USDA's monthly cattle on feed report.

Most Slaughter Goat Prices Steady In Texas This Week
Slaughter goats were mostly steady around Texas markets this week. Slaughter under federal inspection the week ending January 15 totaled 8836 head.

PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES

RANGE SALES

APHIS Veterinarian Outlines Scrapie Program Requirements
The scrapie eradication program officially got underway in November 2001. In Texas, full compliance with the regulations is set to be enforced beginning April 1.

Ranch Head Says Communication Critical To Success, Survival
There are several kinds of new technologies in the beef industry, said Dr. Tom Fields with Colorado State University, "All of these technologies, in one way or another, applied the right way in the right situations, make a lot of sense," Fields said. "The problem is that none of them will work if the people involved can't get along or don't believe in the goals or the mission of the organization."

Mohair Council Set To Launch Carpet Program — Again
About four years ago, the Mohair Council of America embarked on a new project. For years their focus had been on the fashion side of the business while little emphasis was placed on the less luxurious, less expensive adult hair. Consequently, over the years a large stockpile of adult hair has accumulated.

Decision On Canadian Wheat Trade Complaint Put On Hold
The Bush administration announced Friday it had delayed a decision on whether to impose trade tariffs against Canada on behalf of American wheat farmers.

Crucial WTO Ruling Backs EU; Retaliation Against U.S. Seen
The American Meat Institute reports that a major and potentially costly World Trade Organization ruling favors the European Union over the United States.

New Mexico Cattle Growers Upset Over Wildlife Plans
Don Cullum is upset over a proposal by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department that would require the state's ranchers to develop wildlife management plans.

Cattle Feeders Vote Against Captive Trade Prohibition
The Texas Cattle Feeders Association board of directors voted this week to oppose for now an amendment to the Senate's version of the farm bill that would allow the federal government to say who can sell cattle and how cattle can be sold.

Panhandle Water Battle On Hold As Both Sides Discuss Solution
Parties warring over underground water in the Texas Panhandle are meeting in an effort to work out their differences and avoid further costly legal action.

Hutchinson Wants Replacement For Veneman In Ag Department
Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., says he wants President Bush to replace Ann Veneman as agriculture secretary.

USDA Expands New Inspection System For Meat And Poultry
The government wants more meat processors to change the way their products are inspected, though congressional investigators say there's no proof the new system is as safe as the traditional program.

Officials Who Planted Lynx Fur Face Federal Criminal Charges
Seven state and federal officials could face criminal charges in connection with planting lynx fur in national forests.

USDA Considering More Limits On Beef Byproducts Over BSE
The government is considering new prevention measures for "mad cow" disease that include banning the sale of brains and certain types of beef from cattle considered at risk for getting the illness. Brains are considered a delicacy with some ethnic groups.

USDA Resources Head Praises Ranching, Cites Its History
Grazing the national forests, says Mark E. Rey, Undersecretary for Natural Resources and the Environment in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the most fundamental and historic of the multiple uses mandated by law.

Plastic Horseshoes Big Hit In Europe
Heavy metal is out and brightly colored plastic is in. Bright yellow and green plastic horseshoes have become the rage in Europe since they were first introduced late last year.

Brit College Claims Sheep BSE A Hazard
The British Broadcasting Company is warning that lamb may pose a greater risk of spreading bovine spongiform encephalopathy to humans than beef.

False Grizzly Hair Samples Now An Issue
First it was lynx. Now it's grizzly bears. Washington State lawmakers are calling for a Congressional investigation into a grizzly bear habitat study.

"Son Of Cara" Bill Approved By Senate
A version of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act goes to the House of Representatives with the New Year after passing the Senate in the closing hours of Congress before Christmas.

Mark Gomes Clinches Circuit Title, To Compete In Idaho
Bareback rider Mark Gomes of Nickerson, Kan., clinched the Turquoise Circuit year-end title before the Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo even began. His lead was so great that he merely needed to enter the rodeo to qualify for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho, March 13-16.

Fed Cattle Direct Sales Almost Nonexistent Through Thursday
Slaughter cattle followed the previous week's pattern with trading nearly non-existent through last Thursday. A few token sales were made at steady money, but cattle feeders' resolve for higher prices was strong. Six months of heavy losses in the feeding sector makes the $4 February futures premium increasingly difficult to swallow.

Nation’s Feeder Cattle Lower Last Week With Liberal Volume
Feeder steers and heifers sold weak to $3 lower across the nation last week.

Cattle On Feed Down 2 Percent In Seven Main Feeding States
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter January 1 in the seven leading feeding states totaled 9.9 million head, down two percent from the same date in 2001, but up two percent from January 1, 2000.

Domestic Wool Active, Aussie Wools Higher
Domestic wool trading turned active last week. Demand was good for the very light available supplies. The undertone was higher on reported sales, in both warehouse and direct trading.

Angelo Feeder Lambs Steady, Cattle Lower
Feeder lambs sold steady in a light test this week, slaughter lambs firm to $2 higher, slaughter ewes steady; slaughter kids were weak to $3 lower, nannies steady. One day receipts totaled 9086, around 45 percent slaughter ewes, 20 percent slaughter lambs, five percent feeder lambs and 30 percent goats.

Isa Female Fiesta Sale Average $2070
The annual Isa Cattle Company female Fiesta sale had 108 Beefmasters for a $2070 average and a gross of $223,550.

Graham Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Mixed
Feeder steers and heifers under 400 pounds sold $1-2 higher, over 500 pounds steady to $1 lower. Receipts totaled 1389 head.

Most Fredericksburg Cattle Prices Lower
Feeder steers sold $1-2 lower, heifers steady to lower, slaughter cows and bulls $2 lower. Receipts totaled 2112 head.

Kansas Direct Feeder Cattle Prices Lower
Feeder steers were $1-3 lower last week in Kansas direct trading, heifers weak to $1 lower in a light test. The weather was mild with no moisture; some ponds and springs are drying up, which may lighten pasture stocking. Sales were confirmed on 6000 head.

Llano Feeder Steers, Heifers Fully Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold fully steady, slaughter cows steady, bulls $2 higher. Receipts totaled 725 head.

San Saba, Brownwood, Mason Feeders Mixed
Lightweight feeder steers sold $4-6 higher last week in Mason, Brownwood and San Saba, heavyweights steady to $2 higher, heifers steady, slaughter cows and bulls steady, stock cows steady. Receipts totaled 4564 at the three sales.

Hamilton Feeder Steer, Heifer Trade Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady, slaughter cows $1-4 higher, bulls $2-5 higher, stock cows and pairs steady. Receipts totaled 802 head.

Goldthwaite Fat Lambs Firm, Fat Goats Lower
Slaughter lambs sold steady to firm; feeder goats steady, slaughter goats $3-5 lower. Receipts totaled 2357 head.

Milano Feeder Steers, Heifers Show Strength
Feeder steers sold steady to $2 higher, the advance on weights under 600 pounds, heifers $1-2 higher, slaughter cows steady to $2 higher, bulls $2-3 higher. Receipts totaled 947 head.

Cuero Feeder Steers, Heifers Move Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to a little higher, slaughter cows a little lower. Receipts totaled 1600 head.

Colorado City Feeder Steers, Heifers Lower
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $3 lower, slaughter cows and bulls steady, stock cows and pairs steady. Receipts totaled 797 head.

Junction Kid Goats Off, Nannies Higher
Kid goats sold $2-5 lower, stock Spanish nannies higher, other goats and sheep steady. Receipts totaled 2332 head.

U.S. Corn Production 4% Below A Year Ago
U.S. corn grain production for 2001 is estimated at 9.51 billion bushels, down four percent from the revised 9.92 billion bushels in 2000. This is the fourth largest crop behind 1994's record production of 10.1 billion bushels, followed by 2000's and 1998's production. The U.S. grain yield of 138.2 bushels per acre, the second highest yield on record, is up .2 bushels from November and 1.3 bushels from 2000.

Abilene Feeder Steer, Heifer Trend Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady, slaughter cows and bulls steady, stock cows and pairs steady to $15 higher. Receipts totaled 1312 head.

Most Lampasas Feeder Cattle On Soft Side
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady, instances $1-2 lower, slaughter cows and bulls steady. Receipts totaled 1719 head.

U.S. Meat Production 5.1% Above A Year Ago
Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 924.1 million pounds, 1.1 percent more than a week ago and 5.1 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down 3.3 percent at 2.45 billion pounds.

Loose Ends

Coming Up...
January 26 — Replacement Heifer and Cow Special, Bowie Livestock Auction Inc., Bowie, Texas. January 26 — Special Cow Sale, Clovis Livestock Auction, Clovis, New Mexico. January 26 — Special Replacement Female Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas.