NATIONAL FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY – WEEK ENDING 03/01/2025
By USDA-MO Dept of Ag Market News
RECEIPTS: Auctions Direct Video/Internet Total
This Week: 244,600 31,700 4,300 280,600
Last Week: 80,300 11,400 53,400 145,100
Year Ago: 227,500 46,200 6,200 279,900
Compared to last week’s light trading volume, steers and heifers in the Southeast sold 15.00 to 20.00 higher while those in the North and South-Central areas were 8.00 to 12.00 higher.
Buyers were aggressive this week and eager to procure their summer grazers already. The sharply higher prices were a welcome sight after the country went through a deep freeze the previous week limiting trading of feeder cattle at auctions. This week’s auction volume of around 245K is normal for this time of year.
Cattle going through the severe cold will come out with a fresher and “greener” look to them as they shed a little flesh. All sales seemed to get back on their regular sales schedule this week and in the Northern Plains had large receipts as the weather could be termed “beautiful” for this time of year.
The mud from this week was a welcome sight to some as the ground thawed and some parts of southern Missouri has some pastures showing a green tint to it as the calendar moves to March.
With the turn of the calendar, farmers will now be paying attention to ground temperatures and waiting for it to get warm enough to put the planter in the ground. It has dried in some areas enough to see a fertilizer buggy or floater heading across the field to get nutrients thrown out, ready for the next round of precipitation.
Not only were feeder cattle in demand, but replacement stock was as well. At Ozark Regional Stockyards in West Plains, MO, there was some young cows bred back in the 1st stage with 300 lb. calves at their side for $4550.00. Also, at Ericson (NE) Auction Market there were some 3rd state bred heifers that sold at 3900.00 while young cows in that same stage brought 3750.00.
Negotiated sales of slaughter steers and heifers in the Southern Plains sold 2.00 lower 197.00. In Nebraska, live sales were 1.00 to 2.00 lower at 198.00, while dressed sales sold 2.00 lower at 313.00.
For the week, Choice Boxed beef closed on Friday at 311.83, 1.06 lower and Select closed at 302.05, 0.51 lower.
Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 566K, 3K less than last week and 28K less than a year ago.
Auction volume this week included 64% weighing over 600 lbs and 43% heifers.
