The morning slaughter sale included 95 fed steers and heifers, 186 weigh-up cows, and 34 weigh-up bulls.  The evening breeding stock sale saw 21 breeding bulls, 69 cow/calf pairs and 113 bred cows sell.

Compared to last week, fed cattle sold steady, topping at $154.00. The big majority ranged between $149.00 and $153.00. More than usual carried excessive fill or caked on dirt or manure which lowered the yield and consequently the price. Also, buyers continue to back away from heifers that look to be pushing the 30 month of age plateau. Government inspectors at the slaughter plants side rail them and huge discounts occur putting packers and their buyers at risk for a potential loss of $400-$500 per head.

Slaughter cow trade was active with most selling $3-$4 higher than a week ago. A few exceptional ones sold $5-$7 higher. Well over 70% of the cows sold brought $90.00 and up. 52 cows sold for over $100.00 per pound.

A big slaughter bull run resulted in extraordinary competition sending many of the bigger higher yielding above the $120.00 mark. The top individual weighed 2040# and brought $128.00. Prices for small, thin, and weaker bulls were no where near these lofty figures dropping into the $80’s.

Breeding bulls were all over the board quality wise. A few topped the $4000 dollar figure with a $4400.00 top. The best of the rest generally fell between $2100 and $3000. A few well bred young bulls needing more maturity brought $1500 and less.

Cow/calf pairs were in demand and averaged $2400 for the 69 pairs presented. Only three pairs brought under $2000. The top selling pairs brought $2900.

Bred cow buyers were faced with stiff competition from the very strong slaughter market which was a huge benefit for the larger older pregnant cows. There were not a lot of top of the line young cows in the sale and with April upon us, some of those offered will be late calving. A third trimester cow could calve up against July and would not fit a lot of programs. That is why pairs are so popular now.

The next feeder sale is Thursday April 10. It is open to all castle---no restrictions.

Slaughter steers & heifers sold steady with last week.  Steer top was 154.00/cwt.  Slaughter cows remaining active with 30 cows selling at 100.00/cwt. or higher.  Bulls sold 2.00 higher on a 115.50 top.

Next Tuesday night will be our monthly cow special.  Already consigned 15 breeding bulls from Johnson Farms and approximately 60 pairs from various owners.  Watch website for details.

Slaughter Steers	50 head
Choice 2-4	150.00-153.00
High Yielding	153.50-154.00
Low Yielding	146.75-148.00
Mixed Select/Choice 2-3	146.00-148.00
Select 1-2	145.00/down
Slaughter Heifers	35 head
Choice 2-4	148.75-150.00
High Yielding	-
Low Yielding	148.00-148.25
Mixed Select/Chocie 2-3	146.00-148.00
Select 1-2	144.50/down
Slaughter Cows - 130 hd	High Yield	Avg. Yield	Low Yield
Premium Whites-few	-
Breakers-1300-1800#	97.00-103.00	93.00-95.25	92.00/down
Boners 1200-1600#	100.00-109.75	90.00-99.00	89.50/down
Lean 1000-1400#	93.00-104.00	83.00-91.00	81.50/down
Slaughter Bulls
11 head	108.25-115.50	105.25-106.75	95.00/down