LN_LS145 New Holland, PA Fri Feb 10, 2012 USDA-PA Dept of Ag Market News Lancaster Co. Weekly Cattle Summary for week ending Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 Cattle Calves This Week: 2998 1679 Last Week: 2925 1666 Last Year: 2651 1759 This week in Lancaster County, slaughter steers sold steady to 1.00 higher. Demand was moderate and supplies were slightly heavier this week, with a modest increase in quality. Direct cattle trades were inactive as of Thursday. Asking prices were at 126.00/cwt live; bids were holding at 121.00/cwt. Cattle buyers are not enthused with the current market price for live steers, but they continue to ante up despite an inverse relationship between beef sales and purchases. Packers just can`t seem to gain control of the supply situation, and feeders for now, have had the luxury to hold cattle, but the advantage may soon shift directions. Carcasses weights have slowly increase over the past couple of weeks and this generally is an indicator of backlog, particularly when it's in direct contrast to seasonal weight trends. Feed lots may soon be risking YG-4 and heavy carcass discounts if they don't start moving a greater volume of cattle. Packers will most likely continue to operating at reduced kills compared to a year ago in hopes it will either increase beef prices, or backlog feeders enough to cheapen-up steer and heifer prices. On the meat side of the equation, hamburger continues to be the MVP (Most Valuable Product) for beef. Middle meats have struggle to maintain primal values, while 50% crude lean grinding beef has added most of the strength to the Choice and Select cutout values. Consumers may shy away from high price steaks, but hamburger still appears to be within budget. 50% lean is up about 22.00/cwt from a year ago, and 90% lean continues to inch higher as kill cow supplies begin to dwindle. 50% lean is currently valued at an average of 98.69/cwt; while 90% lean is at 210.89/cwt. Choice cutout values were reported at 186.32/cwt on Thursday, with the Choice/Select spread at 4.00/cwt. In the grain trade, USDA released its Supply and Demand Report on Thursday with minimal effect on the market. Estimates came in much as expected and the report was viewed as fundamentally bullish. Despite the nature of the report, grains moved into negative territory before the close, being more heavily influenced by the monetary concerns in Europe, the tensions between Iran and Israel, and the unrest in Syria. At the CME, March Corn closed down 5.5 cents at 6.37/bu; March wheat down 14.75 cents at 6.46/bu; and March Soy Beans down 4 cents at 12.275. All cattle markets are priced per cwt with exception of dairy cattle purchased on a per head basis. For detailed cattle quotations refer to web addresses: http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/LN_LS140.txt (New Holland Monday) http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/LN_LS142.txt (New Holland Thursday) http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/LN_LS146.txt (Vintage Monday) http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/LN_LS141.txt (Vintage Tuesday) Slaughter Steers: High Choice and Prime 3-4 1265-1645 lbs 126.50-130.00. Choice 2-3 1115-1575 lbs 122.00-127.00. Select 2-3 1085-1410 lbs 116.00- 124.00. Slaughter Holsteins: High Choice and Prime 3-4 1425-1630 lbs 108.00- 114.00. Choice 2-3 1290-1640 lbs 101.00-111.00. Select 2-3 1150-1560 lbs 94.00-105.00. Slaughter Heifers: Choice 2-3 1070-1575 lbs 117.00-126.00. Select 2-3 1065-1335 lbs 111.00-116.00. Slaughter Cows: Percent Lean Avg. Dressing High Dressing Low Dressing Premium White 65-75 80.50-86.00 86.00-91.00 72.00-79.00 Breakers 75-80 76.00-81.00 81.00-86.00 71.00-76.00 Boners 80-85 74.00-78.50 78.50-82.00 68.50-74.00 Lean 85-90 65.00-73.00 73.00-77.50 59.00-65.00 Slaughter Bulls: Monday- Yield Grade 1 955-1785 lbs 88.00-92.00, high dress 1170-1975 lbs 93.50-100.00, very high dress 1215-1585 lbs 115.00-119.00, low dress 875-1640 lbs 77.00-83.00. Thursday- Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1 1045-2085 lbs 88.00-93.00. Calf Summary: This week in Lancaster County, Holstein Bull calves made up gains from last week`s losses trading mostly 10.00-20.00 higher with spots up to 30.00 higher. Demand was moderate to good on an active trade. Heifers sold unevenly steady with moderate demand. This week`s composite veal carcass values for the Northeast United States were quoted from 337.00-370.00 (Hide- off), with a weighted average of 354.14. All prices per cwt. For detailed veal market information refer to the link below: http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lswveal.pdf (National Veal Summary) Monday- Holstein Bull Calves: Number 1 80-120 lbs 130.00-145.00. Number 2 80-125 lbs 110.00-130.00. Number 3 70-115 lbs 80.00-100.00. Utility 70-110 lbs 60.00-80.00. Holstein Heifers: Number 1 90-110 lbs 150.00-220.00. Number 2 75-125 lbs 70.00-115.00. Non-Tubing 80-100 lbs 65.00-80.00; 55-75 lbs 11.00-37.00. Tuesday- Graded Holstein Bull Calves: Number 1 112-122 lbs 117.00-122.00; 85-103 lbs 133.00-152.00. Number 2 85-112 lbs 122.00-140.00. Number 3 83- 109lbs 107.00-121.00; pkg 74 lbs 80.00. Utility 73-106 lbs 30.00-50.00. Graded Holstein Heifers: Number 1 94-110 lbs 250.00-275.00; pkg 84 lbs 125.00. Number 2 90-102 lbs 200.00-225.00; 75-83 lbs 60.00-80.00. Non-tubing pkg 73 lbs 50.00. Thursday- Graded Bull Calves: Number 1 114-128 lbs 120.00-127.00; 90-112 lbs 135.00-148.00; 86-88 lbs 125.00. Number 2 112-128 lbs 120.00-129.00; 80-110 lbs 137.00-144.00, pkg 129.00. Number 3 100-130 lbs 107.00-116.00; 72-98 lbs 117.00-127.00, pkg 138.00. Utility 90-110 lbs 40.00-50.00; 60-88 lbs 17.00- 25.00. Holstein Heifer Calves: Number 1 85-105 lbs 160.00-210.00. Number 2 70-95 lbs 125.00-150.00. Dairy Report: (Receipts: 623) When compared to last Wednesday's sale, cows were mostly steady, while bred heifer sold weak and open heifers sold very firm. Demand was moderate for cows, weak for bred heifers, and good for open heifers. Wednesday's supply included 16 percent fresh milking cows, 5 percent short-bred cows, 4 percent springing cows, 27 percent short-bred heifers, 18 percent springing heifers, 24 percent open heifers, and 6 percent bulls. One hundred percent of reported supply Holsteins unless otherwise noted. All sales sold on a per head basis. Fresh Cows: Jersey/Cross Supreme: 1675.00-1925.00 Approved: 1425.00-1675.00 Medium: 1200.00-1400.00 Common: 900.00-1175.00 Cull: 825.00-900.00 Short Bred: Medium: 1125.00-1275.00 Common: 1000.00-1050.00 Springing Cows: Medium: 1125.00-1250.00 Common: 900.00-1100.00 Short Bred Heifers: Approved: 1275.00-1400.00 Medium: 1050.00-1275.00 Common: 850.00-1025.00 475.00-575.00 Bred Heifers: (4-6 months) Supreme: 1425.00-1525.00 Approved: 1300.00-1425.00 1025.00-1100.00 Medium: 1025.00-1275.00 825.00-1000.00 Common: 750.00-1050.00 600.00-750.00 Springing Heifers: (7-9 months) Supreme: 1425.00-1600.00 Approved: 1275.00-1425.00 1125.00-1200.00 Medium: 1125.00-1250.00 900.00-1100.00 Common: 750.00-1000.00 Open Heifers: 300-600 lbs: Medium: 600.00-725.00 560.00-700.00 Common: 300.00-485.00 450.00-525.00 600-900 lbs: Approved: 935.00-1000.00 825.00-950.00 Medium: 700.00-900.00 575.00-675.00 Common: 600.00-675.00 1200-1500 lbs Medium: 825.00-950.00 Common: 700.00-775.00 Dairy Bulls: 300-600 lbs 350.00-525.00; 600-900 lbs 825.00-975.00; 900-1200 lbs 800.00-1125.00; 1200-1500 lbs 1150.00-1425.00 Source: USDA Dept of Ag Market News, New Holland-Lancaster County, PA Levi Geyer, OIC / Cell 202-744-6499 Josh Hasty, Market Reporters/Office 717-354-2391 http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/LN_LS145.txt 1850e lg/jh