The average number of days March slaughter cattle spent in Kansas feed yards was up markedly from last year and the 2012-2016 average, showing the young average age of the feeder cattle that were placed last fall.
It was known widely that feedlots were putting young calves into their pens at that time, and the extended time it took for those calves to grow and fatten to their finished weight is testament to their younger-than-desired age. Average days on feed were extended for steers and heifers.
A cold winter could have had some delaying effect on cattle growth and fattening rates, but the winter also was fairly dry, and cattle can stand a lot of cold if they stay dry.
The Kansas State University Extension Service surveys select, representative feedlots each month to obtain closeout data. The information then is extrapolated to give a representation of the whole state and is compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center.
Calves went into the feedlots last fall at younger-than-average ages because heat and dry weather were combining to limit the amount of winter grazing that was available. Prices for feeder cattle also were good at the time.
The average number of days it took for feeder steers to become finished cattle that were marketed in March was 180, up 14, or 8.43%, from 166 a year earlier and 18.4, or 11.4%, higher than the previous five-year average of 161.6.
The average number of days it took for fed heifers to finish was 168, up 17, or 11.3%, from 151 a year earlier and 13.2, or 8.53%, higher than the 2012-2016 average of 154.8.
OUT WEIGHTS NEAR AVERAGE
The final weights of steers and heifers exiting Kansas feedlots in March was near last year and the 2012-2016 average with both showing a seasonal downturn.
Steers had an average closeout weight in March of 1,366 pounds, down 28, or 2.01%, from 1,394 a year earlier and 4.6, or 0.34%, below the five-year average of 1,370.6.
Heifers had an average closeout weight in March of 1,263 pounds, up 2, or 0.16%, from 1,261 a year earlier and up 9.8, or 0.78%, from the 2012-2016 average of 1,253.2.
AVERAGE DAILY GAIN NEAR AVERAGE
The cold winter may have had only a marginal effect on Kansas feedlot cattle in February, but by March, it looks like they recovered. The average daily gain of cattle leaving the feedlots in March was near average and sliding.
The average daily gain of steers leaving Kansas feedlots for the packing plants was 3.45, compared with 3.6 a year earlier and the previous five-year average of 3.468.
The average daily gain of heifers head for the packing plants in March was 3.22, compared with 3.36 in March 2017 and the 2012-2016 average of 3.2.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
No cattle sold Wednesday on the Livestock Exchange Video Auction, compared with sales two weeks previous at $122.40 per cwt.
Cash cattle trading started this week at $117 per cwt on a live basis on Tuesday and then dipped to $115 to $116 on Wednesday, down $5 to $7 from last week. Thursday, sales were reported at $115 to $116. Dressed-basis trades were reported at $184 to $185 per cwt, down $8.50 to $9.50.
The USDA choice cutout Thursday was up $1.65 per cwt at $232.68, while select was off $0.26 at $208.24. The choice/select spread widened to $24.44 from $22.53 with 109 loads of fabricated product sold into the spot market.
The CME Feeder Cattle index for the seven days ended Wednesday, was $134.83 per cwt, down $0.84. This compares with Thursday’s May close of $133.10, up $0.37.