GX_LS145
Springfield Illinois    Fri  Mar 30, 2001     USDA-Illinois Market News

Weekly Illinois Direct Summary

Illinois Direct Markets at a Glance for the week ended Mar. 30, 2001
For the week barrows and gilts on a plant delivered carcass basis 
ended .75-1.35 lower. On a live basis country buying station prices
closed .50 to 1.00 higher. Sows ended the week mostly steady to 2.00
higher. Steady demand in the pork trade with a steady run of hogs kept
the cash market mostly steady to firm.  Receipts for the week estimated
at 144,500 compared to 149,700 last week and 152,600 a year ago.
MAJORITY OF TODAYS SALES (185 lb carcass)
Percent       Country buying points                Plant   Delivered
Lean      carcass sales   live @74% yld    carcass sales   live @75% yld
51-52.9(1)55.75 -63.99    41.26 - 47.35    62.40 - 65.61   46.80 - 49.21
   Mostly 61.62 -63.99    45.50 - 46.50    mean    63.77   mean    47.83
SOWS: US 1-3 300-400 lbs 33.50-35.00, few 38.00; 
400-500 lbs 35.00-37.00, few 38.00
500-600 lbs 36.00-38.00, few 39.00; few over 600 lbs 37.00-40.00
Boars: under 300 lbs 28.00-34.00; over 300 lbs 15.00-20.00

Slaughter steers and heifers were steady to .50 lower with the decline mostly 
on heifers on a live basis. Carcass sales not well tested but traded mostly
steady. Demand was light to moderate. Trading was slow to moderate. Lower beef
prices pressured the market. The boxed beef cutout values have been down every
day since Mar. 6. Confirmed sales 1400, a week ago 3100 and a year ago 2200.
Slaughter steers: Select & Choice 2-4 1150-1375 lbs 77.00-80.00 closing at the 
high side of the trading range.
Slaughter heifers:Select & Choice 2-4 1100-1325 lbs late 77.50-78.25
Weighing conditions plant delivered or 3 % shrink weighed at the feedlot.
                               Carcass Sales:                      
Steers:  weight only, Select & Choice 2-4 600-900# 127.00
Heifers: weight only, Select & Choice 2-4 550-850# no test

Feeder steers and heifers were steady this week.  Demand was light to moderate.
Trading was slow to moderate. Confirmed sales about 10% beef steers, no Holstein 
steers and 90% heifers.Confirmed sales this week 800, a week ago 500, and a year ago 1650.
FEEDER STEERS:Medium and Large Frame 1-2: half load 550 lbs 96.00; one lot 
740 lbs. 88.75. 
FEEDER HEIFERS: Medium and Large Frame 1-2: half load 550 lbs 90.00; 600-675 lbs 
87.00-90.00, 700-800 lbs 80.50-87.00

Compared to last week slaughter lambs were mostly steady. Slaughter ewes
were 5.00 lower than the last market test. Demand was moderate to good
with easter lambs starting to move. Carcass lamb trade was not
established late in the week.  The east coast distributive lamb meat trade
was slightly higher this week with slow to moderate movement and light to
moderate demand. Receipts 80% slaughter lambs and 20% slaughter ewes.
Confirmed lamb and sheep sales 425 last wk 225  last yr 150.
Slaughter Lambs: Choice 2-3 Shorn 120-140 lbs 80.00; Wooled 125-160 lbs 
75.00-78.00, 70-90 lbs 100.00; Choice YG 3-4 Wooled 190 lbs 60.00. 
Easter lambs: 30-40 lbs 150.00, 40-50 lbs 140.00-150.00, 50-60 lbs
130.00; 60-70 lbs 110.00.
Slaughter Ewes: Cull to Utility 30.00-35.00
Goats by the cwt: 100-140 lbs 55.00-60.00, 60-80 lbs 65.00-80.00,
50-60 lbs 90.00-100.00.

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This report will be discontinued on March 30, 2001. Starting April 2, 2001,
market information contained in this report is included in the reports 
developed for Livestock Mandatory Reporting. A list of all mandatory
livestock reports is available at the following web site:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpr/MPRreport.htm
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Source: USDA-Illinois Dept of Ag News Springfield, IL 217-782-4925
        In-state only toll free 888-458-4787 
          www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/GX_LS145

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