Agriculture Market Recap for the week ending May 21

Feeder cattle price trends at Texas auctions were mixed, from $3 lower per hundredweight to $6 higher. Some locations were as much as $8 lower and a few were as much as $10 higher. Tight supplies, poor pasture conditions, lower fed cattle markets and fluctuating grain prices were again the primary influences on markets. Cotton prices were higher amid concerns about the drought in Texas and parts of the southeastern United States. Corn and grain sorghum prices increased because of continued planting delays in the eastern Corn Belt. Wheat prices were higher in response to drought in winter wheat growing areas, such as Texas, and planting delays in spring wheat areas. As for futures markets, cotton, wheat, corn and lumber were higher while feeder cattle and fed cattle were lower. Much of the state east of a line from Childress to Del Rio received rainfall during the week ranging from less than one-half inch to more than two inches in some locations. Topsoil moisture remains mostly short to adequate in parts of East and North Texas, but mostly short to very short elsewhere. The winter wheat crop was 97 percent headed and 14 percent of the acreage has been harvested. Corn planting was 97 percent complete and 84 percent has emerged. Cotton was 45 percent planted and 73 percent of the grain sorghum crop has been planted. Corn, rice and soybeans were rated in mostly fair to good condition while grain sorghum was mostly fair to poor. Wheat and pastures were reported in mostly poor to very poor condition.



All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the TDA Market News program and do not reflect any particular sale at any specific location. Feeder cattle prices are for 500-600 pound medium and large No.1 steers. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. For additional information, contact TDA Market News at (800) 252-3407 or visit our website, www.tdamarketnews.com.

Agriculture Market Recap for the week ending May 14

Feeder cattle price trends at Texas auctions were mixed, from $5 lower per hundredweight to as much as $6 higher at a few auctions. Tight supplies, lower fed cattle markets and fluctuating grain prices were again the primary influences on markets. Fed cattle prices followed wholesale beef values lower. Cotton prices declined as concerns about short-term demand more than offset the drought in Texas and other parts of the Cotton Belt. Corn, grain sorghum and wheat prices finished the week modestly lower after USDA raised its projections for end-of-year corn supplies. As for futures markets, feeder cattle, fed cattle, cotton, wheat, corn and lumber were all lower. Much of the state east of a line from Del Rio to Wichita Falls received a half-inch or more of rain during the week with locally heavy amounts in excess of three inches. Most other areas received a half inch or less. Topsoil moisture was reported as adequate to short in parts of North and East Texas, and remains mostly short to very short elsewhere. The winter wheat crop was 92 percent headed and 5 percent harvested, both ahead of normal. Corn planting progressed to 93 percent complete and 70 percent of the acreage has emerged. Cotton was 36 percent planted and 72 percent of the grain sorghum was planted. Corn, rice and soybeans were rated in mostly fair to good condition; grain sorghum was rated mostly fair to poor; and wheat and pastures were rated in mostly very poor to poor condition.

All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the TDA Market News program and do not reflect any particular sale at any specific location. Feeder cattle prices are for 500-600 pound medium and large No.1 steers. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. For additional information, contact TDA Market News at (800) 252-3407 or visit our website, www.tdamarketnews.com.

Agriculture Market Recap for the week ending May 7

Feeder cattle prices at Texas auctions were $5 lower to $6 higher per hundredweight as tight supplies, lower fed cattle prices and fluctuating grain prices continue to influence markets. Fed cattle cash prices followed wholesale beef values lower. Cotton prices fell as ongoing concerns about Chinese demand and the general economy more than offset worries about dry conditions in Texas and flooding in the Mississippi Delta. Corn and grain sorghum prices declined on forecasts for favorable planting weather in the Midwest. As for futures markets, feeder cattle, fed cattle, cotton, wheat, corn and lumber were all lower. One-half inch or more of rain fell in an area from east of San Angelo to Texarkana with the heaviest totals northeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Little or no rainfall was recorded elsewhere in the state. Except for parts of north and East Texas, topsoil moisture conditions remain mostly short to very short statewide. The winter wheat crop is 80 percent headed and reported in mostly very poor to poor condition. Corn planting was 87 percent complete and grain sorghum is 71 percent planted, both ahead of the normal pace. Cotton was 24 percent planted and 8 percent of the acreage is squaring. Corn and rice were reported in mostly fair to good condition, while grain sorghum was mostly fair to poor. Pastures remain in mostly very poor to poor condition and need rain statewide.

All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the TDA Market News program and do not reflect any particular sale at any specific location. Feeder cattle prices are for 500-600 pound medium and large No.1 steers. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. For additional information, contact TDA Market News at (800) 252-3407 or visit our website, www.tdamarketnews.com.

Agriculture Market Recap for the week ending April 30

Feeder cattle prices at Texas auctions were $5 lower to $8 higher per hundredweight compared to a week ago as markets continue to fluctuate in response to volatile grain prices, lower fed cattle and beef markets, and overall tight supplies. Fed cattle cash prices followed wholesale beef prices lower. Corn and grain sorghum prices were higher amid ongoing concerns that wet weather in the Midwest will further delay planting. Wheat prices declined as beneficial rains fell in parts of the Great Plains. As for futures markets, corn and lumber were higher while feeder cattle, fed cattle, cotton and wheat were lower. Areas north and east of a line from Lubbock to Houston recorded rainfall ranging from a trace to more than three inches in parts of East Texas. No rain was reported elsewhere in the state. Topsoil moisture supplies remain mostly short to very short with the entire state suffering from some degree of drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. Wheat condition continued to decline with 66 percent of the acreage headed and 74 percent reported in poor to very poor condition. Corn planting was slightly ahead of the normal pace at 79 percent complete and the crop was rated in mostly fair to poor condition. Grain sorghum and cotton planting were progressing more slowly than normal at 56 percent and 16 percent complete, respectively. Pastures were rated in mostly poor to very poor condition and need rain statewide.

All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the TDA Market News program and do not reflect any particular sale at any specific location. Feeder cattle prices are for 500-600 pound medium and large No.1 steers. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. For additional information, contact TDA Market News at (800) 252-3407 or visit our website, www.tdamarketnews.com.