MASTERS OF THE RANGE in the early days of the
Lone Star State, the hardy bovines known as
Longhorns today were once simply called
"Texas" cattle. That appellation became
inadequate after the long drives scattered them
from the Bravo to Canada and from the Rockies to
Missouri.Dressed Lamb
Prices Take Another Jump
Carcass lamb prices jumped again last week
to reach the highest level since June of 1998.
Prices are now $10-37 higher than two weeks ago.
A similar jump occurred in June last year that
only lasted about three weeks.
Plains Feedlots Move Cattle At Midweek
For Second Time
Plains fed cattle trade did the almost
unthinkable — it developed by midweek for
the second week in a row.
PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES
RANGE
SALES
In Lawmaking, Particularly, No News Is
Really Good News
"As far as environmental issues are
concerned, the big story this session in Texas is
what the legislature is not doing, and I think
that speaks well for Texas agriculture,"
says Ross Wilson, vice president for governmental
affairs with the Texas Cattle Feeders
Association.
Producers Attending Workshop Learn About
Stocker Contract
Talk of a weaner calf contract suitable
for the cowman has circulated for more than a
decade, and after considerable effort, such a
contract became a reality in October.
Texas House Ag Chairman Sees Benefits In
Current Session
"It's an exciting time for
agriculture right now in the Texas
Legislature," says David Swinford, chairman
of the Texas House Agriculture Committee.
"Migras" Hit Packing Plants;
Majority Of Employees Cut Out
Federal immigration officials have found
fewer and fewer people to interview as they
continue Operation Vanguard, a plan to interview
suspected illegal immigrants working in
Nebraska's packing plants.
Recreation Main Factor Driving Texas
Rural Land Prices Higher
Recreation is the primary motivation for
buyers of ranch land, while the primary
motivation of the seller — in some cases,
third and fourth generation ranch families —
is increasing land values coupled with drouth and
depressed commodity prices.
Texas High Court Backs State Rule Of
Capture As Water Law
Ed Small can stop worrying now, at least
about the Texas Supreme Court. "The big
water issue isn't really in the
Legislature," Small had said in late April
during the spring Ag Forum meeting in Austin.
"It's in the Supreme Court. It's the Ozarka
lawsuit."
Texas House Rejects Attempted Repeal Of
Ag Libel Protection
The Texas House late last week rejected an
effort to repeal the state's agricultural
defamation law, the derisively tagged
"veggie libel" law which cattlemen
attempted to use when suing television talk-show
host Oprah Winfrey.
Bill Would Protect Homestead Exemptions
From Feds'
Texas and other states that provide
debtors with uncommonly generous homestead
exemptions would be able to retain their
standards under legislation approved Wednesday by
the U.S. House.
U.S. Officials Back Down On EU Beef Ban
The United States has agreed to tighten
controls on hormone-free beef exports after the
European Union claimed it found hormone residue
in an April shipment.
Haythorn
Ranch Wins '99 Heritage Classic
The Haythorn Land & Cattle Co.,
Arthur, Neb., won this year's ranch rodeo
competition here last week at the 15th annual
Western Heritage Classic.
Bill To Allow Meat Sales Introduced
A change in federal meat inspection law
could provide a boost to Wyoming livestock
producers, said Rep. Barbara Cubin.
Most Feeder Cattle Prices Lower
Nationwide Last
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to
$1 lower around the country last week, instances
$2 off. Both calves and yearlings shared in the
price decline.
Texas Fed Cattle Prices Move Lower, Most
Trading Wednesday
Slaughter steers and heifers sold mostly
$1 lower in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma
feedlot trading last week, a few $2 lower late.
Superior Livestock Video Sale Offering
Totals 30,000 Cattle
Superior Livestock Auction offered nearly
31,000 feeder cattle and breeding stock at their
regular video sale. Consignments were from 21
states.
Angelo Feeder Lambs, Feeder Cattle Lower
Feeder lambs sold weak to $1 lower this
week, slaughter lambs $6-9 higher, slaughter ewes
$2-4 lower. Two day receipts totaled 16,894 head.
San Saba, Brownwood, Mason Feeders
Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold mostly
steady in Mason, Brownwood and San Saba last
week, 300-500 pound steers $2-4 higher, slaughter
cows and bulls steady, replacement heifers $2-5
higher, stock cows and pairs steady to strong.
Receipts totaled 1763 head at the three sales.
Llano Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to
$2 higher, slaughter cows and bulls steady.
Receipts totaled 279 head.
Abilene Lightweight Feeder Steers Higher
Feeder steers weighing less than 500
pounds sold $1-3 higher, heavier steers and
heifers steady except fleshy offerings $1 lower,
slaughter cows and bulls steady, stock cows and
pairs steady. Receipts totaled 1320 head.
Most Milano Cattle Prices Called Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady,
slaughter cows and bulls steady. Receipts totaled
536 head.
Most Colorado City Cattle Prices Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to
$1 higher, slaughter cows $2 higher, bulls $3
higher, pairs and bred stock cows steady.
Receipts totaled 400 head.
Goldthwaite Feeder Lambs Move Higher
Feeder lambs sold $3-5 higher, slaughter
ewes and bucks $3-4 lower; stock Spanish nannies
$2 higher, slaughter billies $2 higher, other
slaughter $5-8 lower. Receipts totaled 6500 head.
Domestic Wool Slow, Aussie Wools Lower
Wool trading was generally at a standstill
across the U.S. last week.
U.S. Meat Production .1% Below A Year
Ago
Total red meat production under federal
inspection last week was estimated at 858.5
million pounds, 2.8 percent less than a week
earlier and .1 percent below a year ago.
Cumulative meat production for the year to date
was up 1.9 percent at 15.9 billion pounds.
Kansas Direct Feeder Steer Prices
Decline
Feeder steers sold steady to $2 lower in
Kansas direct trade last week, heifers untested.
The weather was cool with light to scattered
showers in western Kansas and thunderstorms, hail
and tornadoes in the central and eastern areas.
Sales were confirmed on 6450 head.
Most Cuero Cattle Prices Termed Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady,
slaughter cows and bulls steady. Receipts totaled
1337 head.
Most Fredericksburg Feeder Cattle Strong
Feeder steers and heifers sold strong,
some lightweight steers $2-3 lower, slaughter
cows and bulls strong. Receipts totaled 1057
head.
Graham Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Lower
Feeder steers and heifers sold $2-3 lower,
slaughter cows and bulls steady, stock cows and
pairs steady. Receipts totaled 1961 head.
Junction Lambs, Stock Angora Muttons
Higher
Feeder lambs sold $1 higher, slaughter
ewes and bucks mostly steady; stock Angora
nannies steady, muttons $2-3 higher, slaughter
Angoras $3-5 lower; stock Spanish nannies $1
higher, slaughter kids and muttons $3-5 lower,
other slaughter goats $2 lower. Receipts totaled
2850 head.
Lampasas Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices
Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady,
slaughter cows steady, bulls $1-1.50 higher.
Receipts totaled 852 head.
Letters To The Editor
Loose Ends
Coming Up...
May 15 — Producers Livestock
Auction’s Teleconference Lamb Sale, San
Angelo, Texas. May 15 — 26th Annual
Spring Invitational Texas Longhorn Sale, YO
Ranch, Mountain Home, Texas. May 15 —
San Antonio Special, Union Stock Yards, San
Antonio, Texas. May 15 — Special
Female Replacement Sale, Jordan Cattle Auction,
San Saba, Texas.
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