Market Report 4-22-13

Date: 4/22/2013                                      Receipts:   343                               

Trends:  The Market continues to be on uneasy footing with Feeder Cattle Futures continuing their downward trend. The Cattle on Feed report on Friday added to the bearish tone with larger than expected placements of 106 percent that caught most soothsayers by surprise. The larger placements this year is a little deceiving because last year April placements were at 93 percent of 2011, so other than the gnashing of teeth because everyone got it wrong it is really not a big deal.  The winter that will not end in the north continues to delay the much needed summer grilling push for the meat causing concerns about the growing inventory in Cold Storage.  On a positive note gas prices have lowered in the last week and most of the major grazing areas of the country continue to get moisture in the form of rain or snow. I have also be told by a few different Market Gurus that they think we are near the bottom of the feeder cattle market slide and expect higher prices throughout the summer.  Who knows why or if they are right but one thing is for sure, if you want to buy them you are going to have to fight because supplies are tight and everyone knows it.  Calf market here today was mixed again with cattle under about 600lbs that were suitable for grass staying steady with very active bidding. The larger yearlings that could be turned out stayed within 1-3 dollars of what they would have brought last week. Fleshy soft calves, especially over 550lbs were not as attractive and sold mostly 3-6 lower.  Light muscled or off colored calves also didn’t have as many takers and sold 3-6 lower as well.  Slaughter cows and bulls were mostly steady to a few dollars cheaper depending on quality.  

Class	Type	Price
Weigh Cows	Breaker	72-80
	Boner	75-84
	Lean	65-75
Weigh Bulls	1000 and Up	90-99
	Low Dressing	70-85
Steer/Bull	200-300	145-192.50
	300-400	125-175
	400-500	120-162
	500-600	115-142
	600-700	110-135
	700-800	95-115
Heifers
	300-400	125-150
	400-500	120-145
	500-600	115-130
	600-700	100-121
	700-800	N/A
Replacements	Bred	To Few
	Pairs	1200-1700