Compared to last week: All feeder cattle were too lightly tested last week to develop an accurate market trend, however higher undertones were noticed on both steers and heifers calves. No trend can be made on yearling steers, yearling heifers under 850 lbs sold with lower undertones, while over 850 lbs sold with steady to firm undertones. Calf quality this week was very attractive, yearling quality was average to very attractive. Several load lots of calves were seen this week. One very attractive load lot of yearling heifers was on offer this week. All load lots were met with very good demand.
Compared to last Tuesday, on a light offering; slaughter cows and bulls mostly steady. Few yearling steers on a steady market, heifers under pressure with instances 5.00-10.00 lower. Feeder calves light offering unevenly steady with instances 3.00-5.00 higher. Demand good to moderate. Supply included: 79% Feeder Cattle (52% Steers, 48% Heifers); 13% Slaughter Cattle (63% Cows, 38% Bulls); 8% Replacement Cattle (96% Stock Cows, 4% Bred Cows). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 48%.
Steer and heifer calves were to lightly tested for an accurate trend but a lower undertone was noted. Demand moderate. Several strings of calves fresh off the cow on offer today. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (50% Steers, 14% Dairy Steers, 30% Heifers, 6% Bulls). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 43%.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers traded mostly firm on limited comparable sales from the previous week. Slaughter cows and bulls traded mostly 1.00 to 3.00 higher. Trading activity was moderate on good demand. Quality was mostly attractive, but a lot of the lighter weight calves on offer were unweaned or short weaned. According to the US Drought Monitor, average temperatures were above normal (3 to 9 degrees F) across Texas for the week. As a result, the majority of the trading region is in need of a rain. Supply included: 91% Feeder Cattle (54% Steers, 46% Heifers); 9% Slaughter Cattle (86% Cows, 14% Bulls); 0% Replacement Cattle (75% Stock Cows, 25% Bred Cows). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 57%.
Compared to last week, steer calves traded 4.00-8.00 lower with spots 10.00 lower. Heifer calves traded steady to 4.00 lower. Demand was light early and improved throughout the day on a moderate supply. Quality was below average with an abundance of plain, short-weaned calves and bull calves in the offering. Calves weaned 45 days or more were in demand with unweaned or short-weaned calves having a hard time finding a new home. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (49% Steers, 2% Dairy Steers, 44% Heifers, 5% Bulls). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 42%.
