Plains Fed Cattle $6 Higher In Price Rally Over Holidays
Plains feedlots by early Wednesday were getting $78 handily, a full $6 better than the going rate before the holidays.

Texas Slaughter Goats Open The New Year On A Firm Note
Texas slaughter goat markets opened the new year primarily on a firm note, with Goldthwaite $5-7 higher and Junction $5-8 higher.

PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES

RANGE SALES

John Scott Cashed In On A $10,000 Montana Opportunity
Seventy-nine year-old John R. Scott Jr. is a man of few words, especially when it comes to talking about himself. His accomplishments, however, speak for him.

Panhandle Landowner In Midst Of Water-Marketing Neighbors
The misshapen white rectangle stands out starkly on the multi-colored map at the Panhandle Ground Water Conservation District offices here.

Rare Frog Aided By Ranchers, Hindered By Ecos, Species Law
If the Chiricahua leopard frog is saved from extinction, it will be because of ranchers like Matt and Anna Magoffin, not because of so-called environmentalists in the confrontation industry and not because of the federal government — and perhaps not because of the Endangered Species Act.

Lancaster Stockyards Fading Away Like Most Other Centers
Cattle used to come in by the thousands, night and day. It took 300 men working around the clock to unload the train cars and trucks and send the animals through a maze of chutes and pens.

USDA Publishes Interim TB Rule For Moving Texas Feeder Cattle
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published its interim rule allowing Texas feeder cattle to continue to move out of state without additional restrictions, at least until September 30.

NCBA Rep Touts Organization, Laments Dissenting Viewpoints
The state of the beef industry is probably not good right now, says Chandler Keys, vice president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Southwest Wolf Reintroduction Program Remains Controversial
The Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program in New Mexico and Arizona remains controversial.

Afghan Ag Delegation Makes Panhandle Tour
The Afghan Minister of Agriculture and Livestock turned to the Texas Panhandle in December with an eye toward revitalizing his war-torn country's agricultural base.

Groups Threaten Suit Over Falcon Habitat
A coalition of radical environmentalists is threatening to sue the federal government over the Northern Aplomado Falcon.

Owl Suit Could Evict Stockmen This Month
Fred Galley has 11 pastures on his forest grazing allotment. Each of them is considered a habitat site for the Mexican spotted owl.

Economist Notes Deadline Near For Wool And Mohair Payments
Producers have until Jan. 31 to request a loan or apply for Loan Deficiency Payments for 2002 wool and/or mohair production if the wool/mohair has not been sold and remains in storage. If all or part of the wool and/or mohair was sold prior to Oct. 11, 2002, it is only eligible for an LDP, which is calculated based on the market price on the date that it was sold.

Feeder Cattle Movement Limited During Two-Week Holiday Period
Feeder cattle marketing was too light again last week to establish a national price trend. Business should return to normal this week, auction and direct sales both expected to be large.

Cattle On Feed Off 8 Percent In Seven Main Feeding States
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter December 1 in the seven leading feeding states totaled 9.4 million head, down eight percent from the same date in both 2001 and 2000.

Direct Fed Cattle Prices Up On Liberal Movement Last Week
Direct slaughter cattle trading across the country opened $1-2 higher live basis last Thursday, $3 higher dressed. Packers were short bought and needing cattle for a full slaughter schedule the first full week of the new year.

U.S. Meat Production 3.8% Above A Year Ago
Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 778.3 million pounds, 7.9 percent more than a week earlier and 3.8 percent more than a year ago. Accumulated meat production, January 1-3, was down 26.9 percent at 455.8 million pounds.

Hamilton Cattle Sell Steady, Lambs Higher
Cattle prices were steady Tuesday on receipts of 523 head. Lambs were $2-5 higher Monday, ewes steady, kid goats $3-6 higher, nannies steady. Receipts totaled 1344 head.

Most Llano Cattle Prices Termed Higher
Feeder steers sold $2-5 higher, heifers $1-3 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $2 higher. Receipts totaled 579 head.

Most Brownwood Feeder Cattle Trend Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold $2-3 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $2-3 higher, stock cows and pairs steady. Receipts totaled 623 head.

Most Fredericksburg Sheep, Goats Steady
Feeder lambs sold steady to firm, slaughter lambs steady; stock and slaughter goats were steady. Receipts totaled 3632 head.

San Saba Replacement Cattle Special Strong
Jordan Cattle Auction offered 2450 female cattle at their "Best of the Best" special sale. Prices were termed strong with demand good.

November Red Meat Production Down 2%
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.91 billion pounds in November, down two percent from the 3.97 billion pounds produced in November 2001.

Angelo Sheep, Goats Open New Year Firm
No comparison was available on the sheep market Tuesday, though there was a firm undertone on all classes. Receipts totaled 8600 head, around 20 percent slaughter ewes, 10 percent slaughter lambs, 10 percent feeder lambs and 60 percent goats.

Milano Cattle Sale Offered 1464 Head
No price comparison was available due to the holidays. Receipts totaled 1464 head.

Abilene Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $1 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $1-2 higher, stock cows and pairs firm. Receipts totaled 1708 head.

Domestic Wool Slow, Aussie Markets Quiet
Domestic wool trading was nearly at a standstill during the holiday period, demand moderate to good for light supplies.

Junction Sheep, Goat Prices Little Higher
Most sheep and goats sold a little higher with big meat type kids $5-8 higher and nannies $5 higher. Receipts totaled 2367 head.

Boxed Beef Values Off Slightly Last Week
The national comprehensive boxed beef cutout report on all fed steers and heifers sold last week was down 36 cents at $119.31.

Decatur Feeder Cattle Prices Called Strong
Feeder steers and heifers sold firm, pain and fleshy calves discounted, slaughter cows and bulls $3 higher, stock cows and pairs steady. Receipts totaled 1571 head.

Red Meat Supplies 14% Above Year Ago Totals
Total red meat supplies in freezers on November 30 at one billion pounds were 14 percent above a year earlier, poultry supplies at 1.1 billion pounds up 19 percent.

Goldthwaite Lambs Steady, Goats Higher
Feeder lambs were scarce, slaughter lambs sold steady to firm on a light test, slaughter goats $5-7 higher. Receipts totaled 1080 head.

Letters To The Editor

Loose Ends

Coming Up...
January 11 — Diamond Ring Ranch’s Premium Angus Steer and Replacement Heifer Sale, Superior Livestock Auction Video Sale. January 15 — Herd Dispersal Sale of Kenneth Pitts Farms, Floydada Livestock Sales, Floydada, Texas. January 16 — Premium Weaned Stocker and Feeder Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas. January 16 — Special Female Consignment Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas.