While the number of fed steers sold to beef packers in May dipped below last year, it remained above the 2012-2016 average, and the cattle sold were efficient about turning feed into pounds, a Kansas State University Extension Service monthly survey found.
The number of head sold to packers in May was down and final weights were up, yet the number of days these cattle took to reach their final weight was down sharply from April’s feedlot marketings.
The K-State Extension Service surveys representative feed yards in the state each month gleaning data about sales numbers, rates of gain and feeding costs. The data then is extrapolated to give a representation of the whole state, compiled and published by the Livestock Marketing Information Center.
In May, Kansas feedlots sold an average of 4,017 head of finished cattle to packing plants, down 126, or 3.04%, from April’s 4,143 head and 480, or 10.7%, below May 2017’s 4,497. The 2012-2016 average number of fed cattle sold to the packers was 3,651 head, 366, or 10.0%, below this year’s sales.
FINAL WEIGHTS UP SEASONALLY
The final weight of steers sold to beef packers in May was up, which is a seasonal occurrence. The notable part of this is the amount of the increase and the fact that May’s final weight was above last year and the previous five-year average.
The 2012-2016 average April-to-May gain was 6.8 pounds per animal, moving to 1,355.6 pounds from 1,348.8, a gain of 0.50%.
However, this year, the average month-to-month gain was 27 pounds, or 1.99%, moving to 1,383 pounds from 1,356.
Last year, cattle sold in May averaged 1,351 pounds, up from April’s 1,345 pounds, a gain of six pounds, or 0.45%.
If final weights in June followed seasonal norms, they will show another gain in next month’s K-State survey.
DAYS ON FEED DROP SHARPLY
The most notable piece of information in this most recent of K-State feedlot surveys is the number of days on feed it took for May’s slaughter cattle to reach slaughter weight. The long, cold winter and the clearing out of more of last Fall’s very young feedlot placements allowed the average number of days on feed to drop more sharply than usual.
A significant percentage of the calves that were placed on feed last fall were younger than the industry desires because of poor pasture conditions in key areas of the country.
That and the cold winter delayed their exit from the feedlots to the packers. But as the younger cattle finally worked through the system, and the weather began to clear, the time it took to finish dropped back to normal ranges from their lofty levls.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
Three hundred six head of fed cattle sold last Wednesday on the Livestock Exchange Video Auction at $106 per cwt, down $4 from the previous Wednesday’s $110.
Cash trade was reported last Wednesday at $106 per cwt on a live basis, down $2 to $4 from the previous week, and at $168 to $170 on a dressed basis, down $3 to $4. On Friday more cattle sold at $107 to $108 per cwt live, down $1 to $2.
The USDA choice cutout Tuesday was down $1.62 per cwt at $210.26, while select was up $0.94 at $199.71. The choice/select spread narrowed to $10.55 from $13.11 with 134 loads of fabricated product sold into the spot market.
The CME Feeder Cattle index for the seven days ended Monday, was $143.42 per cwt, up $0.75. This compares with Tuesday’s Aug settlement of $152.80, up $0.87.