Live cattle mixed watching direct business

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed watching direct business, feeders were up on the lower move in corn. August live cattle closed $.32 lower at $188.57 and October live cattle closed $.05 lower at $188.55. August feeders closed $1.07 higher at $259.70 and September feeders closed $1.70 higher at $259.60.

There was light to moderate direct cash cattle business that took place Friday. Northern dressed deals were at $312, $2 higher than the previous week’s weighted averages. Southern live business was at $190, also about $2 higher than the previous week’s business.

At the Winter Livestock Auction in Kansas, feeder steers and heifers 400 to 950 pounds were $7 to $10 higher. The USDA says demand was good. Receipts were up on the week and the year. Feeder supply included 62% steers and 90% of the offering was over 600 pounds. Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 829 to 842 pounds brought $255 to $261.50 and feeder steers 857 to 881 pounds brought $252 to $264. Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 776 to 784 pounds brought $229 to $233 and feeder heifers 905 to 928 pounds brought $225.75 to $228.25.

In South Dakota, demand for hay has been lower than normal for the year. Most of South Dakota is under normal soil conditions, except for Western South Dakota is under abnormally dry to moderate dry soil conditions. Alfalfa, premium, large squares brough $200 to $225 for an average of $215. Large squares, F.O.B/dairy, brought $200. Alfalfa, utility, large rounds brought $110. Large squares brought $130. Alfalfa/Grass Mix, premium, large squares brought $170. Alfalfa/Grass Mix, good, brought $170. Grass, good, large rounds brought $120.