Fat, Feeder Lambs, Lamb Meat Higher
The shortage of lamb in the meat counter is having a sharp effect on carcass and lamb prices. Feeder lambs were strong to $10 higher around the country and fats sold $3-10 higher.

Plains Fed Cattle Trade Light, Generally $2 Lower At Midweek
Plains cattle feeders appeared resigned to lower prices this week after holding out last week and selling few cattle. The question was how low they were willing to go.

Texas Slaughter Goat Prices Find New High Price Levels
Slaughter kids in Texas markets found new high price levels this week. Some areas had record highs with price increases ranging from $5 to at least $20 above last week.

PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES

RANGE SALES

Dairy Farming Is Vital Part Of Economy In New Zealand
Martyn and Marie Sing's Motumahoho farm sits in the heart of New Zealand's dairy farming industry. The North Island, just a little to the east of Morrinsville, is said to have the greatest concentration of dairy cows anywhere in the world. Three dairy companies are located here, and together they take in 3.5 million liters of milk per day.

Cattle-Fax Spokesman Outlines Historic Profitability Figures
"I will tell you from a longterm standpoint that the typical cattle cycle we've known in the past has changed dramatically," says Randy Blach, executive vice president of Cattle-Fax.

Cattle Tracking Company Head Sees Benefits To Origin Labels
As the United States works its way through the country of origin labeling issue, there will most likely be, in the long run, benefits for the nation's beef industry, but perhaps for the wrong reasons.

HEB Is Outpacing Competition In Fully Cooked Meat Category
A Chinese curse says, "May you live in interesting times." The beef industry is certainly experiencing "interesting times."

Blue Stone Headlines Houston's First Xtreme Bull Riding Event
Two-time and reigning world champion Blue Stone of Ogden, Utah, and Cory Melton of Keithville, La., who is currently leading the Jack Daniel's World Standings and won the Xtreme Bulls stop in San Antonio, headline the 30-man field of bull riders coming to Houston this week for the PRCA's Xtreme Bulls, RodeoHouston¹s first-ever full evening of bull riding and the second of 10 Xtreme Bulls regular stops.

State Budget Cuts Force Three Experiment Stations To Close
Three small agricultural research stations will be closed as a result of the mandatory state budget cuts, officials with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station announced last week.

NM Ag Secretary Frank DuBois Retiring After Decade And Half
Frank A. DuBois, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture, will retire June 1 after serving as director of New Mexico's Department of Agriculture for 15 years and as cabinet secretary for four governors.

Wyoming Offers Wolf Management Plan, But Feds Move Goalposts
Despite last-second misgivings from Washington, Wyoming will proceed with its plans for eventually managing gray wolves in the state, Gov. Dave Freudenthal said last Friday.

Senators Demand USDA Explain COOL Handling
U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi said he is concerned that the U.S. Agriculture Department is not acting fairly in implementing mandatory country-of-origin food labeling and has requested the agency to justify its actions.

Senator Seeks Farm Payment Limitations
U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is encouraging his constituents to submit written comments on limiting farm payments.

George Strait’s Hat Outsells George W.’s
On the eve of war against Iraq, George Strait is more popular than George Bush.

Feds Say Calif. Owl Not In Serious Danger
Federal officials say the California spotted owl does not need immediate protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Ag Groups Oppose Increased Restrictions On Animal Feeds
Changes to current animal feed restrictions proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will not reduce the already low risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, so-called "mad cow" disease, in U.S. cattle any further, say the American Meat Association and 14 other agriculture groups.

Anti-Grazing Zealots Sue Feds In Effort To Force Fee Hikes
Anti-grazing activists are suing the Forest Service in a bid to raise livestock grazing fees they claim are so far below market rates that they're costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and encouraging ecological damage to national forests.

Sign-Up For Federal Disaster Aid Program To Begin Soon
Farmers and ranchers who qualify for disaster assistance under the Agricultural Assistance Act passed by Congress on Feb. 13 will soon be able to enroll at county USDA Farm Service Agency offices, according to Jim Little, FSA administrator.

Activists Want More Prairie Dog Limits
Radical environmentalists and animal rights activists are calling for more federal protection for three species of prairie dog.

Ecos Want Vast Range For Prairie Chickens
A group of radical environmentalists and animal rights organizations wants the Bureau of Land Management to set aside more than a quarter of a million acres for the lesser prairie chicken.

Analyst Says 20 Years’ Data Show Little Feedlot Profit
Randy Blach, executive vice president of Cattle-Fax, says cattle feeding profit and loss data over the past 20 years does not make a pretty picture.

Saltcedar Project On Pecos Showing Positive Results
The Pecos River stretches more than 300 river miles, starting near the New Mexico border and slowly meandering south and east to empty into the Rio Grande. It is the source of water for agricultural producers all along its basin and around the Amistad Dam area of the Rio Grande.

Severe Weather Holds Feeder Cattle Prices Mostly Steady
Feeder cattle sold mostly steady across the country last week as severe wintry weather dictated trading activity.

Nation’s Fed Cattle Prices Steady Live, Higher Dressed
Slaughter cattle traded steady across the country last week on a live basis, dressed sales $2 higher.

Superior Livestock Video Sale Offering Totals 23,500 Cattle
Superior Livestock Auction offered more than 23,500 feeder cattle and bred stock in their regularly scheduled video auction. Consignments were from 20 states. Demand was termed fair. Yearling steers sold steady to $1 lower, heifers steady to $2 lower, steer and heifer calves $3-5 higher.

U.S. Farms, Farm Lands Up Slightly
The number of farms in the United States in 2002 was estimated at 2.16 million, up .1 percent from 2001. The increase occurred primarily in agricultural operations with $1000-$9999 in sales.

USDA Re-Starts Weekly Imported Meat Report
After a four month delay, USDA has begun issuing its weekly report on meat and poultry passed for import into the United States.

U.S. Meat Production 2.6% Above A Year Ago
Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 867.8 million pounds, 1.7 percent more than a week ago and 2.6 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down .9 percent at 7.58 million pounds.

Junction Lambs Steady, Kid Goats Move Higher
Lambs sold steady, slaughter ewes $1-2 higher, nannies steady and kids $5-10 higher. Receipts totaled 1494 head.

Fredericksburg Lambs, Fat Goats Move Higher
Feeder lambs sold $3-5 higher, slaughter lambs $5-7 higher; slaughter goats were $10-15 higher. Receipts totaled 2654 head.

Goldthwaite Goats Turn Sharply Higher
Feeder lambs were scarce, slaughter lambs steady to firm, stock goats scarce, slaughter goats $10-15 higher. Receipts totaled 1169 head.

San Saba Replacement Females Sell Strong
Good rains and coming spring encouraged active bidding on 3756 head of replacement female cattle. Prices were fully steady to strong, some bred cows selling $50-100 higher.

Most Cuero Cattle Prices Some Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold strong to higher, slaughter cows and bulls $1-3 higher. Receipts totaled 1093 head.

Angelo Lambs, Goats Higher, Cattle Steady
Feeder lambs sold $5-10 higher this week, slaughter lambs $7-10 higher, slaughter ewes firm; kid goats were $10-20 higher, nannies firm. Receipts totaled 7016 head, around 25 percent slaughter ewes, 15 percent feeder lambs, 10 percent slaughter lambs and 50 percent goats.

Milano Feeder Steers Lower, Heifers Weak
Feeder steers sold $1-3 lower, heifers steady to weak, slaughter cows $1-2 lower, bulls steady. Receipts totaled 486 head.

Domestic Wool Slow, Aussie Wools Lower
Domestic wool trading remained slow last week as shearing was interrupted by rain or snow in many areas. Demand was moderate to good.

Weather Boosts Most Decatur Cattle Rates
Feeder steers and heifers sold higher with 400-500 pound heifers $3 higher, slaughter cows $1.50 higher, bulls $4 higher. Bad weather reduced receipts to 605 head.

Abilene Feeder Calves Firm, Yearlings Lower
Feeder steers and heifers under 500 pounds sold steady to firm, heavier weights $1 lower, slaughter cows and bulls $1-2 higher, stock cows and pairs steady. Receipts totaled 1266 head.

Hamilton Sheep, Goats Higher, Cattle Steady
Lambs sold $3-7 higher Monday, ewes $3-6 higher, kids $8-15 higher, nannies higher. Receipts totaled 1706 head. All cattle sold steady Tuesday on receipts of 403 head.

Llano Feeder Steers, Heifers Trade Mixed
Feeder steers and heifers under 600 pounds sold $3-5 higher, heavier weights $2-3 lower, slaughter cows and bulls $2-3 higher. Receipts totaled 220 head.

Producers Internet Offers 1200 Feeders
Producers Internet Auction offered 1200 feeder cattle Thursday. Delivery was current.

Mason, San Saba Up On Heavier Feeders
Lightweight feeder steers and heifers sold steady last week in Mason and San Saba, heavyweights $1-2 higher, slaughter cows and bulls scarce, stock cows and pairs steady. Receipts totaled 4330 head.

Loose Ends

Coming Up...
March 6 — Premium Weaned Stocker and Feeder Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas. March 6 — Special Stocker and Feeder Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas. March 6 — Special Lamb Sale, Lometa Commission Co., Lometa, Texas.