SPOTTY RAINS have been the rule throughout
much of West Texas, and nowhere more so than in
the Trans-Pecos. These cows west of Fort Stockton
are in good flesh, but keeping them that way will
take more general precipitation than has been the
case so far.Prices Fall On
Dressed, Live Lamb
Dressed lamb prices took a $5 across the
board decline last week and there is fear that
more declines will occur for the next several
weeks. Feeder and slaughter lamb prices have been
declining for the past few weeks in anticipation
of this. This week the weakness continued by a
couple of dollars on each class.
Midweek Comes, Goes Again Without Fed
Cattle Trading
Plains fed cattle trading was back in its
comfort zone again this week, waiting and
watching as Wednesday rolled past. That worked
for feedlots last week, as holding out until
Thursday earned them $67 for the first time since
late 1997. This week they were holding for
anywhere from $68 to $70 against packer bids of
$66. With packers deep in black ink, most
observers felt confident they could get at least
$68 if not better.
PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES
RANGE
SALES
Jim
Schwertner Sees Positive Future For People In
Beef Biz
Jim Schwertner is more excited about the
future of the beef industry than he's ever been
before, an excitement that stems from the many
changes and new technologies that are beginning
to take hold.
Secretive Water Action Plan Facing Court
Challenge Soon
"The Clean Water Action Plan
initiated by Vice President Albert Gore, Jr.,
represents one of the single greatest threats to
private property ownership, federal land
management and water rights use in this
nation," says Karen Budd-Falen.
Leading Latin American Chefs Take Tour
Of Beef Operations
The top chefs of Latin America are
gathering here this week, not to cook but to
learn. The Texas Beef Council and U.S. Meat
Export Foundation are bringing 17 chefs and food
directors from upscale Latin American hotels to
the Lone Star State to tour ranching operations,
feedyard facilities, research stations and
packing plants.
Nature Tourism Offers Way For Landowners
To Keep Their Land
Many farmers and ranchers are finding it
increasingly difficult to maintain land ownership
simply doing what they do best, farming and
ranching. Because of increasing pressure on the
bottom line, many landowners are searching for
ways to diversify, and experts say nature
tourism, the fastest growing segment of the
tourism industry, provides ample opportunity.
Steak House Boosts Beef For Dad's Day
A local restaurant here has teamed up with
the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas
Department of Agriculture and several local
organizations to promote beef for Father's Day
this year.
GOP Presidential Hopefuls Stump In Iowa
At Pork Expo
Elizabeth Dole pledged more help for farmers
Saturday, while Lamar Alexander said President
Clinton ``has been diddling'' while an
agricultural crisis intensifies.
High Court Gives Mixed Ruling On
Invasion Of Ranch By Media
The Supreme Court left in doubt recently
the fate of a lawsuit accusing Cable News Network
of violating a Montana couple's privacy rights
because its camera crew accompanied federal
agents who raided their ranch.
Flighty Horse And Flightless Bird
Combine For Hard Landing
I like to rope, and I've been in a
little bit of trouble over that, because I figure
if you really like to do something, do it.
Dry Weather And Poor Prices Weaken Ag
Outlook In Texas
With the exception of the Rolling Plains
and High Plains regions of Texas, which have
received excellent rainfall this year, most of
Texas remains dry.
Lawmaker Vows Measure To End Funding For
Predator Control
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio is leading a
charge to cut funding for a program in which
federal officials kill animals, mainly coyotes,
that prey upon sheep and other livestock.
Domenici Wants Feds To Sell Surplus
Land, Not Buy
U.S. Senator Pete Domenici says Congress
should address the disposition of existing
federal lands and surplus land holdings before
funding new land purchases.
Montanans Want A Way To Deal With Wolves
Getting native wolves off the endangered
species list this summer is not soon enough to
protect livestock, about 30 farmers and ranchers
told Montana Republican Sen. Conrad Burns.
Ecos Want Military Training Land Back
Environmental activists have turned their
sights from ranchers to the military. In 1986,
Congress withdrew about seven million acres of
public lands in Alaska, Arizona, Nevada and New
Mexico from the public lands for military
training activities.
Strike Slows Output At IBP Plant In NW
Officials of the Teamsters union and IBP
Inc. representatives will resume negotiations
Thursday to end a strike against the state's
largest meat-packing plant.
House Approves $61B Ag Spending Measure
The U.S. House passed a $61 billion
measure last week for financing farm and food
programs next year, the first of the 13 annual
spending bills for fiscal 2000 to win approval.
Bobby Joe Still Bronc To Ride; Whitfield
Advances PRCA Lead
Bobby Joe Skoal is still the one to draw
in the saddle bronc riding event. The 1991-93
PRCA saddle bronc of the year, owned by the Harry
Vold Rodeo Company, carried one more cowboy to
the pay window last weekend. Ira Slagowski of
Carlin, Nev., was the lucky cowboy to draw the
bronc at the recent $159,149 Old Fort Days Rodeo
in Fort Smith, Ark. The 22 year-old bronc rider
rode Bobby Joe Skoal to 86 points for the title
and $3288.
Nation’s Feeder Cattle Move Higher
Fourth Week In A Row
Feeder steers and heifers were another
$1-3 higher across the country last week, the
fourth week of higher prices. Yearlings enjoyed
the greatest advance, up $5-8, as the calf season
is winding down.
Texas Fed Cattle Trade Higher Last Week
In Thursday Action
Slaughter steers and heifers closed $1
higher last week in Texas Panhandle and Western
Oklahoma feedlot trading. Feedlot operators held
available cattle in firm hands and did not trade
until Thursday when buyers raised bids.
Feeder
Steers, Heifers Higher In Angelo Special Sale
Monday
Steer and heifer prices were $1-2 higher
here Monday in the season's second special feeder
calf sale at Producers Livestock Auction. Trading
and demand were good, the quality average to
attractive. Calves made up 75 percent of light
receipts totaling 1350 head compared to 1300 at
the previous special sale last month and 2926 for
the same day last year.
Angelo Feeder Lambs Lower, Cattle Higher
Feeder lambs sold weak to $3 lower this week,
slaughter lambs poorly tested, slaughter ewes
weak to $2 lower. Receipts totaled 11,030 head,
more than 55 percent slaughter ewes and around 30
percent goats.
Brownwood, San Saba, Mason Cattle Higher
Feeder steers sold steady to $1 higher
last week in Mason, Brownwood and San Saba,
feeder heifers steady to 43 higher, slaughter
cows $2-3 higher, bulls $2 higher, stock cows and
pairs steady. Receipts at the three sales totaled
2044 head.
U.S. Meat Production 2.1% Above A Year
Ago
Total red meat production under federal
inspection last week was estimated at 876.7
million pounds, 15.4 percent more than a week ago
and 3.9 percent above a year ago. Cumulative meat
production for the year to date was up 2.1
percent at 20.15 billion pounds.
Kansas Direct Feeder Steers, Heifers
Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold $1-2 higher
in Kansas direct trade last week. The weather
over most of the state was wet, and rain showers
caused problems with the harvest of wheat and
hay. Sales were confirmed on 5579 head.
Goldthwaite Feeder Lambs Sharply Lower
Feeder lambs sold $6-8 lower, slaughter
lambs $6-10 lower, slaughter ewes $6-10 lower,
bucks steady; slaughter Angora goats near steady,
stock Spanish nannies steady, slaughter kids $3-5
lower, nannies and muttons steady, billies $3-5
higher. Receipts totaled 6500 head.
Most Cuero Cattle Prices Move Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold higher,
slaughter cows strong to $1.50 higher. Receipts
totaled 1377 head.
Most Milano Cattle Prices Called Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady,
slaughter cows and bulls steady. Receipts totaled
1008 head.
Junction Sheep Lower, Stock Angoras
Higher
Feeder lambs sold $2-4 lower, slaughter
lambs $4 lower, slaughter ewes $2 lower; stock
Angora nannies $4 higher, slaughter $1-3 lower;
stock Spanish nannies $6 lower, slaughter nannies
$2 lower, other slaughter goats $6-9 lower.
Receipts totaled 4900 head.
Lampasas Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices
Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold $1-2
higher, slaughter cows and Bulls $1-1.50 lower.
Receipts totaled 950 head.
Colorado City Steer, Heifer Prices
Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to
$1 higher, slaughter cows firm, bulls steady,
bred stock cows higher, pairs steady. Receipts
totaled 333 head.
Lightweight Abilene Feeder Steers Higher
Feeder steers sold steady except weights
under 400 pounds $2 higher, heifers steady with
weights over 500 pounds $1-3 higher, slaughter
cows steady to $1 higher, bulls steady, stock
cows $30-40 higher, pairs $20-40 higher. Receipts
totaled 1071 head.
Llano Feeder Heifers Find Higher Market
Feeder steers sold fully steady, heifers
$2 higher, slaughter cows and bulls $2 higher.
Receipts totaled 521 head.
Fredericksburg Feeder Cattle Prices
Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold about
steady, slaughter cows and bulls steady. Receipts
totaled 1189 head.
Graham Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices
Higher
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to
$1 higher, slaughter cows $1 higher, bulls
steady, bred stock cows strong to $10 higher,
pairs $10-20 higher. Receipts totaled 1482 head.
Letters
To The Editor
Loose Ends
Coming Up...
June 11 — Special Calf and Yearling
Sale, Tri-State Livestock Auction, Sioux Center,
Iowa. June 14 —
Special Stocker Feeder Sale, Producers Livestock
Auction, San Angelo, Texas. June 15 —
Special Female Offering, Jordan Cattle Auction,
Brownwood, Texas
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