Lamb Prices Show Major Improvement
Lamb prices moved sharply upward this week, some feeders quoted $9 higher and fats $4 higher. There was probably no significance to it, but lamb import figures released the last two weeks were the smallest of the year and only 58 and 46 percent of domestic production. Cold storage figures last week were down 18 percent from a year ago. Another possible source of demand is a religious holiday.

Feeders, Packers $2-3 Apart On Plains Fed Cattle Prices
Plains feedlots and packers stood $2-3 apart on price at midweek, the latter bidding $65 and the former asking $67 to mostly $68.

Texas Slaughter Goat Prices Highly Mixed, Mostly Higher
Slaughter goats were in mixed demand this week, some prices as much as $8 higher and others $3 lower. Stronger markets included Goldthwaite $3-5 higher, Junction $5-8 higher and Fredericksburg $5-7 higher. Hamilton was steady to $3 lower on kids and $4-8 higher on nannies. San Angelo was a little higher on most classes but a little lower on lightweight kids.

PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES

RANGE SALES

Big Four Packer Reps Discuss Issues Before Cattle Feeders
In a show of solidarity, top executives of the four major packers were on the same stage — and pretty much the same page — here last week. They were on hand for a discussion with cattle feeders attending the annual convention of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

Packers Field Feedlot Industry Questions During TCFA Session
Representatives of the "Big Four" beef packers participated in a question-and-answer panel during last week’s annual Texas Cattle Feeders Association meeting here. The following are feeder questions and packer responses:

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit, Rules In Favor Of Right to Privacy
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought the release of names, addresses and other information for farmers and ranchers who use livestock protection collars that are lethal to predators.

Throckmorton’s CEA Recounts Drouth Story At SRM Meeting
Two years ago the small community of Throckmorton, Texas, made national news. The area was in a severe drouth and the water supply for the rural North Central Texas community was rapidly running dry.

Engler Takes Issue With COOL, Talks Of Own Foreign Program
Paul Engler, CEO of Cactus Feeders and immediate past chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, has strong feelings concerning the country of origin labeling issue.

CME To Reduce Spot Month Spec Limits On Live Cattle Contract
The board of directors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange has voted to reduce spot month speculative limits on the live cattle futures contract from 600 contracts to 300 contracts. 

McDonald’s Profits Off Again, Will Pare Back New Openings
McDonald's Corp., reporting lower profits for the seventh time in the past eight quarters, said it will pare new restaurant openings nearly in half in 2003 and invest more heavily in its sluggish U.S. business.

Montana Cowboys Perform Well At Home Before Billings Crowd
In 19 seasons as a ProRodeo steer wrestler, Rod Lyman has endeared himself as a fan favorite at most rodeos. But in front of a home-state crowd at the NILE Rodeo in Billings, Lyman is more than just a favorite. He's more like a favorite son.

Iowa Beef Cooperative Meets Initial Equity Drive Goals
The Iowa Farm Bureau says cattle producers in that state have moved one step closer to owning a packing plant.

Retail Prices Listed For Some Beef Cuts
Retail prices for selected cuts of meat will now be available on USDA's Economic Research Service website.

S. Texas Forage Improvements Providing Risky Temptations
While a large portion of South Texas remains at approximately 50 percent of longterm stocking rates, excellent rains which began in early July have improved the outlook for winter forage production in native and small grain pastures. Consequently, ranchers are looking for ways to harvest the anticipated extra forage, especially since calf prices are lower this fall than last year and it appears that the cattle market may improve next year.

Scarborough-Linebery Donation Largest Ever Cash Gift To NMSU
New Mexico State University has received a $2.7 million donation from the Scarborough-Linebery Foundation, the largest single cash donation ever received by the university.

Feeder Yearlings And Calves Higher Across The Country
Yearling feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $1 higher on a light test around the country last week, calves $1-3 higher in both the central regions and in the Southeast.

Fed Cattle Direct Trade Nil In South, Higher In North
Fed cattle trading was light in the South through Friday morning; most sales in the North were $2-3 higher, dressed sales $5 higher.

Cattle On Feed Off 5 Percent In Seven Main Feeding States
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter October 1 in the seven leading feeding states totaled 9.09 million head, down five percent from the same date in 2001 and four percent below October 1, 2000.

Angelo Sheep, Cattle Prices Turn Higher
Feeder lambs sold $5-9 higher this week, slaughter lambs $2-4 higher, slaughter ewes firm to $1 higher; nanny goats and kids were weak. One-day receipts totaled 10,121 head, around 35 percent slaughter ewes, 20 percent feeder lambs, five percent slaughter lambs and 40 percent goats.

Goldthwaite Lambs, Goats Trend Higher
Feeder lambs were too few for a market test, lightweight slaughter lambs $5-10 higher, heavyweights steady; stock goats were not well tested, slaughter goats $3-5 higher. Receipts totaled 1781 head.

Lampasas Offered No Trends On 1253 Head
No price comparisons were available on receipts of 1253 head.

Junction Meat Kids, Nannies Up Sharply
Most sheep and goats sold a little higher, big kids $5-8 higher, nannies $5 higher. Receipts totaled 4285 head.

Colorado City Steers Up, Heifers Steady
Feeder steers sold steady to $2 higher, heifers steady, slaughter cows steady to $1 higher, bulls steady, stock cows $50-75 higher, pairs $45-90 higher. Receipts totaled 760 head.

Abilene Lightweight Feeder Cattle Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $2 higher, the advance on weights under 500 pounds, slaughter cows and bulls $1-2 higher, stock cows and pairs steady.

Most Hamilton Cattle Prices Called Steady
Rain held receipts to only 228 and all cattle prices were called steady. On Monday lambs sold $3-6 higher, ewes $1-3 higher, kid goats steady to $3 lower and nannies $4-8 higher. Receipts totaled 1534 head.

September Red Meat 28% Above Last Year
Total red meat supplies in freezers on September 30 were five percent above August 31 and 28 percent above September 2001.

Most Coleman Cattle Prices Called Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold $2-3 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $1-2 higher, stock cows and pairs $10-20 higher. Receipts totaled 1554 head.

Boxed Beef Values Up $1.42 Last Week
The national comprehensive boxed beef cutout value for all fed steer and heifer sales last week was $1.42 higher at $107.08.

Decatur Yearlings Higher, Calves Off
Yearling feeder cattle sold $2-3 higher, calves $2-3 lower, slaughter cows and bulls slightly higher. Receipts totaled 833 head.

Llano Feeder Steers, Heifers Trend Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $2 higher, slaughter cows and bulls steady. Receipts totaled 179 head.

Domestic Wool Slow, Aussie Wools Higher
U.S. wool trading was slow last week following several active trading weeks. Demand remains good for the light supplies.

Fredericksburg Lambs Steady, Goats Higher
Feeder lambs were too limited for a test, slaughter lambs steady, slaughter goats $5-7 higher. Receipts totaled 2138 head.

Most Milano Feeder Cattle Prices Higher
Feeder steers sold $1-2 higher, heifers under 600 pounds $1-3 higher, heavier weights steady, slaughter cows and bulls steady to $1 higher. Receipts totaled 727 head.

Cuero Feeder Steers, Heifers Steady, Up
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $4 higher, boning slaughter cows $1-2 higher, cutters steady, fat cows lower. Receipts totaled 2221 head.

Fredericksburg Feeder Cattle Prices Mixed
Feeder steers and heifers under 500 pounds sold $1-2 higher, heavier weghts steady, slaughter cows and bulls $1 higher. Receipts totaled 2060 head.

Coming Up...
October 26 — Special Stocker and Replacement Cow Sale, Johnson County Cattle Sale, Cleburne, Texas. October 26 — Turkey Track Stable Complete Horse Dispersal Sale, Tijeras, New Mexico. October 26 — Vista Genetic’s Value on Value 2002 Bull Sale, Utopia, Texas. October 26 — Special Female Replacement Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas.