Tighter Supplies Let Plains
Feedlots Add $2 To Ticket

Tighter supplies gave Plains feedlots the clout to command and receive $2 more this week than last.

Most trading was completed on Tuesday and the bulk of movement was at $68; anything sold Wednesday was green indeed.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association counted just shy of 100,000 head moving in their trade area through Wednesday afternoon on a showlist that offered only 63,705 head. At that rate of reaching forward, says one analyst, the dreaded "wall" of cattle supposedly lurking around the corner could evaporate just like it did last year. Texas captives, by the way, came to only about 14,000 head.

Kansas sold 84,200 on the week, also mostly at $68; captives there reached 18,500 head, about 22 percent. Nebraska moved 95,800 head at mostly $68 live and $108 dressed, some to $69 and $109.

Midwest direct trade ran $68-69 live, dressed sales $107-109. Terminal markets paid $65-67, a few to $68.

The Southwest was slow to moderate, select with an end of choice beef breed steers earning $65-67, mostly $66-67, and Holsteins $61-63. Trade was active and $2 higher in the Northwest, the bulk of sales at $107.

Feeder cattle and calf prices were steady to some stronger in most places this week, depending upon weights and locations. Early-planted wheat grazing is coming along in some areas, but farmer demand in the Midwest has been hampered by field work.

St. Joe called 1600 head about steady, some steers over 800 pounds $1 higher. Springfield, Mo. offered 3000 head and reported a mixed bag of prices with steers under 700 pounds and heifers under 600 pounds $2-3 lower, heavier heifers steady and heavier steers untested.

La Junta sold more than 11,000 head in two days and termed steer yearlings $2 higher, heifers steady to $1 higher. Steer calves were $2-3 lower and heifer calves $1-2 lower, but declining quality received the blame for some of that.

San Antonio’s receipts came to 1018 head Monday on a market that saw steers sell steady to $4 higher, heifers steady to $2 higher. With 3000-plus head on hand, Amarillo sold steers and heifers under 600 pounds steady to $2 higher, heavier weights mostly steady.

Oklahoma City receipts came to 15,000 head. Feeder steers were $1-3 lower there, feeder heifers steady, calves of both flavors $1-3 higher. Best 300-350 pound steers made $110.50-113.50; 350-400 pounds $97-107; 400-450 pounds $98-106; 450-500 pounds $92.50-99; 500-550 pounds $87-94; 550-600 pounds $82.50-88; 600-700 pounds $76.25-83; 700-750 pound calves $75.50-76.75, yearlings $76.50-79; 750-800 pounds $74.50-77; 800-850 pounds $74-77; 850-900 pounds $71-73.75; 900-950 pounds $68-70.75.