Weekly Wtd Avg, Missouri

Compared to last week, no good test of the feeder market in the state this week. Most auctions across the state were closed due to snow and extreme cold. A small number of auctions late in the week but even then, receipts were quite light. One had to go back to the week of Feb 20, 2021, to find a non-holiday week that was even close to being as light as this one was for livestock movement. The bi-annual Cattle Inventory Report was published Friday, this is arguably the biggest USDA report of the year for the cattle industry. Pre-report estimates were fairly close in all areas reported, and for another consecutive year total cattle numbers once again fell. This makes the herd the smallest in 75 years. One of the other numbers that was much anticipated was the number of beef heifers kept for replacements. This number was estimated to be up 1.7 percent however it fell lower at only 0.08 percent above a year ago. Looking at numbers for the state of MO, the state remained raked 3rd for number of beef cows that have calves at 1.806 million head, which was down 3.2 percent from the previous year. The number of beef heifers over 500 lbs. kept for replacements was down 3.9 percent. Boxed beef cutout values closed lower for the week. Choice closed on Friday at 365.56, down 3.36 and select closed at 361.94, down 0.45 compared to last week. The choice/select spread remaining narrow at 3.62 per cwt. Negotiated feedlot sales as of the 2:00 cutoff time on Friday afternoons report came in just under 65k head. Live prices were reported 235.00-241.00 and dressed sales reported 370.00-378.00, both sharply higher than last week. Missouri Stocker formula consists of 241 head with a weighted average weight of 546.69 lbs. and a price value of 478.54, 21.59 higher than last week volume however was very low due to the lack of sales. The steer/heifer spread is 57.44.

Receipts