Agricultural Market Summary

Feeder cattle prices were mixed. Selected Texas auctions were mostly $2 lower to $5 higher per hundredweight, though a trend could not be established at some Panhandle locations because of light receipts the previous week. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were mostly steady to $2 lower, while Oklahoma City was $5 lower to $2 higher. Buyers are willing to pay more for the more desirable offerings and to fill current orders, but lighter demand and the onset of cooler, wetter weather are also keeping a lid on the market. Fed cattle prices were lower as packers were able to lower bids and put a small dent in their negative margins. Cotton and grain prices were again lower amid ongoing concerns about the European debt crisis, weak export demand and competition from cheaper foreign grain. As for futures markets, feeder cattle were higher while fed cattle, cotton, wheat, corn and lumber were lower. Much of the state recorded rainfall during the week with the heaviest amounts in northeast and Central Texas. Crop progress and crop condition information are not available, as USDA has discontinued its weekly reports until after the first of the year.

All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the USDA 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 at the Oklahoma City National Stockyards. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. For additional information, contact TDA at (800) 835-5832 or visit our website, http://www.texasagriculture.gov/

Agricultural Market Recap for the week ending Dec. 10

Feeder cattle prices at selected Texas auctions were $5 lower to $2 higher per hundredweight with light receipts at most Panhandle locations because of the cold weather and snow. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were $2 lower to $3 higher, while Oklahoma City was $3 lower to $3 higher. Market fundamentals remain unchanged with tight supplies and continued good beef demand, for both export and domestic consumption. However, lower beef exports last week, lower beef prices and lower feeder cattle futures created some uncertainty, and the first winter storm of the season reminded buyers of the potential health issues with young, short-weaned calves. Fed cattle prices were lower following the decline in wholesale beef values. Cotton and grain prices were lower amid ongoing concerns about the European debt crisis, weak export demand and competition from cheaper foreign grain. Net export sales for cotton were negative as China exited the markets and cancellations more than offset new purchases. USDA raised its projections for global corn production and lowered its wheat exports estimate, which contributed to the declines in grain prices. As for futures markets, feeder cattle, fed cattle, cotton, wheat and corn were lower while lumber was higher. Most of the state recorded rainfall during the week with heaviest amounts generally east of a line from Del Rio to Wichita Falls. Crop progress and crop condition information are not available, as USDA has discontinued its weekly reports until after the first of the year.


All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the USDA 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 at the Oklahoma City National Stockyards. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. For additional information, contact TDA at (800) 835-5832 or visit our website, http://www.texasagriculture.gov/ .

Agriculture Market Recap for the Week Ending Dec. 3

Feeder cattle prices at select Texas Panhandle auctions and at San Angelo were steady to $10 higher per hundredweight with the most advance on lighter-weight calves. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were mostly steady while Oklahoma City was steady to $12 higher. Competition for a shrinking supply of available cattle continues to support the market. Fed cattle prices were unchanged in spite of a decline in wholesale beef values. Cotton and grain prices were higher after central banks took steps to relieve the European debt crisis, thereby boosting optimism that demand will improve in the near future. However, weak current exports limited gains. As for futures markets, feeder cattle, fed cattle, cotton, wheat and corn were higher while lumber was lower. Much of the state north of a line from roughly Nacogdoches to Corpus Christi to Odessa recorded rainfall during the week with heaviest amounts mostly west of I-35. Crop progress and crop condition information are not available as USDA has discontinued its weekly reports until after the first of the year.



* Price not available due to Thanksgiving holiday closings. All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the USDA 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 at the Oklahoma City National Stockyards. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. For additional information, contact TDA at (800) 835-5832 or visit our website, http://www.texasagriculture.gov/.