NOT WHAT IT SEEMS, the abundance of forage almost obscuring these cattle near Canadian in the Panhandle is not grass, but sand sage. Like the huge expanses of brush that cover other parts of the state, however, the sage at least provides evidence of how much vegetation the country can produce; would that it were only grass.

Feeder Lambs Show Strength Around Texas
Feeder lambs were $2-5 higher across most of the Texas markets, while little change was noted in the Midwest. Slaughter lambs were firm in Texas and weaker in the Midwest, particularly on weights under 120 pounds.

Fed Cattle Down Yet Again As Market Feels For Bottom
If fed cattle prices keep falling they way they have been, packers may find the "concentration" shoe on the other foot: three of them will be competing to buy cattle from two feedlots. Of course, they’ll all be owned by the same people, so the issue will be moot.

PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES

RANGE SALES

With Declining Beef Demand, Prices Not Likely To Improve
Mike Sands, vice president of Sparks Inc., painted a not-so-bright picture for beef producers attending the recent Cattlemen’s College here in conjunction with the summer National Cattlemen’s Beef Association meeting.

Arizona Ranch Family Facing Onslaught From Eco-Enemies
Environmental activists say they are excited to hear the howl of the wolf once more in the mountains of Arizona. The Mexican gray wolf, hunted to extinction from this region more than a half century ago, was reintroduced last spring.

Anthrax Cases In Northern N.M. First For That Area In Decade
Anthrax has reared its head in northern New Mexico for the first time in several years, and at least one cow has died, health officials said.

Food Service Companies Share Ideas On New Beef Products
Participants in the live cattle marketing council and feeder council joint session at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association summer meeting here recently heard from two leading food service companies about new products and innovations as well as challenges facing the beef industry.

Government Must Prove Rancher Used Federal Land Knowingly
A federal judge has ruled that the government must prove a Summit County sheep rancher intended to illegally graze his flock on federal land before he can be convicted of a crime.

Classic Main Courses Gaining Brand Recognition Nationwide
More and more companies across the country are attempting to cash in on value-added products that provide "meal solutions" to modern consumers. Convenience is the name of the game.

Aussie Feeder Cattle In Mexico Prompt Flurry Of U.S. Activity
U.S. cattlemen are not having a "G-day, Mate." They are hopping like kangaroos to head off what some fear is a potential onslaught of Australian cattle destined for the U.S. via Mexico.

Aflatoxin Dealing Double Blow To Texas Corn Growers
The drouth has dealt a two-fisted blow to corn growers in South Texas — not only do they have reduced yields because of the drouth, but most of what's left is contaminated with toxin-making fungi exacerbated by dry weather.

Purina Plans To Cultivate "Ruralpolitan" Markets
According to a recent article in the Dallas Business Journal, Purina Mills Inc. plans to cultivate a growing market on the fringes of the suburbs with a new chain of food-and-supply stores.

N.M. Officials Set Limits On Cougar Kill Allowance
Limits will be placed on the annual number of cougars that can be killed across New Mexico for the first time in state history.

Ecos Exhibit Double Standard In Suit Over Public Notice
Environmental extremists may not have a strong hold on common sense, and their tolerance for the productive enterprises which feed, clothe and house them is notably lacking, but no one can accuse them of a shortage of gall.

Price Spread Shows Room For Live Hike
The National Cattlemen’s Association’s Beef Business Bulletin reports that there is room in the beef price spread for higher fed cattle prices.

Wyoming Bangs Test Second Phase Set
Federal officials have tentatively scheduled for Nov. 15 a second review of a brucellosis testing program that critics say is inconvenient, the Pinedale Roundup reported.

Ty Murray On Track To Win All-Around Event Again
In the PRCA all-around cowboy competition, Stephenville, Texas, cowboy Ty Murray continues to outdistance the others in the field. Murray, who is on track to receive his sixth all-around title, has earnings of $146,458 to date.

Steer And Heifer Prices Weak In Angelo Special Sale Monday
Feeder steer and heifer prices were weak here Monday in the season’s fifth special feeder sale at Producers Livestock Auction. Trading and demand were termed moderate and quality average. Yearlings made up 60 percent of receipts, which totaled 2525 head compared to 4280 for the previous special sale earlier this month and 4581 for the same day last year.

Superior Livestock Video Sale Offering Totals 91,000 Cattle
Superior Livestock Auction offered nearly 91,000 feeder cattle at their Big Horn Classic here in a two-day sale. Consignments were from 27 states.

Producers Video Cattle Sale Offers 17,000 Steers, Heifers
Producers Video Auction offered 17,000 feeder cattle in trade and demand that were both termed moderate. Receipts were mostly from the southeastern and south central states, several from north central states.

Texas Fed Cattle Lower Again; Captives 45 Percent Of Total
Slaughter steers and heifers sold mostly $1 lower in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading, some sales $2 lower late in the week.

Red Meat Production Set Records For July
Commercial red meat production in the United States totaled 3.78 billion pounds in July, up three percent from the previous record high of 3.66 billion pounds produced in July, 1997.

Rain Improves Calf Demand; Low Fed Prices Hurt Heavies
Prices for feeders were uneven last week. Steer and heifer calf prices worked steady to $3 higher while prices for yearlings headed for feedyards wound up steady to $1 lower.

Colorado City Cattle Prices Mostly Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold mostly steady, some steers around 300 pounds $1-3 higher, slaughter cows firm, bulls steady, bred cows and pairs steady.

San Saba, Brownwood, Mason Feeders Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold $2-4 higher in Mason, Brownwood and San Saba last week, some under 400 pounds as much as $7 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $3-5 higher, pairs $25-50 higher, bred cows steady.

Graham Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Lower
Feeder steers sold $2-3 lower, heifers steady to $3 lower, slaughter cows steady to $1.50 lower, pairs in good demand. Receipts totaled 2236 head.

Angelo Feeder Lambs, Cattle Trade Higher
Feeder lambs sold $3-5 higher this week, slaughter lambs firm and ewes firm to $2 higher. Receipts totaled 10,342 head.

Junction Lambs, Most Goats Trade Higher
Feeder lambs sold $3 higher; stock Angora nannies fully steady, slaughter kids $5-8 higher, other slaughter Angoras mostly steady; slaughter Spanish nannies and billies $3-4 higher, other slaughter goats steady to $2 higher.

Llano Feeder Cattle Trade Steady To Up
Feeder steers and heifers sold mostly steady, lightweight steers $2-3 higher, slaughter cows $2 higher, bulls steady. Receipts totaled 350 head.

Abilene Feeder Steer, Heifer Trends Mixed
Feeder steers and heifers sold mostly $2 lower except weights under 400 pounds $2-3 higher, slaughter cows and bulls mostly steady, boners $1-2 lower, stock cows steady, pairs $20-30 higher.

Most Cuero Cattle Prices Termed Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold about $2 higher, slaughter cows $2-3 higher, bulls $4-5 higher. Receipts totaled 1378 head.

Most Fredericksburg Cattle Prices Higher
Feeder steers sold $1-21 higher, heifers $3-4 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $2-3 higher. Receipts totaled 1004 head.

U.S. Meat Production 2.2% Above A Year Ago
Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 867.8 million pounds, 1.9 percent below a week earlier and 2.2 percent above a year ago.

Kansas Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Lower
Feeder steers and heifers sold weak to $1 lower in Kansas direct trade last week. Weather was warm with no moisture. Wheat farmers are preparing fields for the new crop. Sales were confirmed on 7393 head.

Goldthwaite Lambs Up, Angora Goats Steady
Feeder lambs sold $2-4 higher, slaughter ewes and bucks fully steady; slaughter Angora goats mostly steady; slaughter Spanish goats $1-4 higher, stock nannies $4 lower.

July Meat Supplies Up 3% From Year Ago
Total red meat supplies in freezers July 31 decreased three percent from June, but were up three percent from July 1997.

Lampasas Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $2 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $2 higher. Receipts totaled 706 head.

Loose Ends

Coming Up...
August 29 — Special Cow and Heifer Replacement Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas. August 31 — Freeman Ranch Angus Dispersal, Producers Livestock Auction, San Angelo, Texas. August 31 — Special Goat Sale, Junction Stockyards, Junction, Texas.