Kansas feedlot marketings of slaughter-ready steers in April rose from May, a move that was unseasonal yet followed last year’s pattern, according to Kansas State University Extension service data published by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver.
The K-State Extension Service collects performance and activity data from a select group of feedlots, turns it over to the LMIC where it is compiled, graphed an published to represent the “average” Kansas feedlot each month.
STEER CLOSEOUTS TURN HIGHER
That “average” Kansas feedlot sold 3,932 head of slaughter-ready steers in April, up 261, or 7.11%, from 3,671 in March, up 486, or 14.1%, from 3,446 in April 2024 but up 762, or 24.0%, from the 2019-2023 average of 3,170.
However, Kansas feedlot sales of slaughter-ready heifers in April declined 449 head, or 11.5%, seasonally to 3,458 head from 3,907 in March but were up 416, or 13.7%, from 3,042 a year ago and up 1,274, or 58.3%, from the previous five-year average of 2,184 head.
FINAL WEIGHTS LOWER
The average exit weight of steers from the average Kansas feedlot in April was 1,470 pounds, down 23, or 1.54%, from 1,493 in March but up 54, or 3.81%, from 1,416 a year ago and up 81, or 5.83%, from the 2019-2023 average of 1,389 pounds. The month-to-month move followed the seasonal trend.
The average fed heifer exiting the average Kansas feed yard in April weighed 1,331 pounds, down four, or 0.30%, from 1,335 in March but up 34, or 2.62%, from 1,297 a year earlier and up 69, or 5.47%, from the previous five-year average of 1,262 pounds.
DAYS ON FEED RISE SEASONALLY
The number of days those steers and heifers exiting the average Kansas feedlot spent on feed climbed seasonally in April but remained well short of last year and the previous five-year average.
That average steer spent 184 days on feed, up 59, or 47.2%, from 125 in March but 22 days, or 10.7%, less than the 206 days last year and 7.4 days, or 3.87%, less than the 191.4 days on average.
The average heifer sold to packers from the average Kansas feedlot in April spent 181 days on feed, up four, or 2.26%, from 177 in March but down 10, or 5.24%, from 191 last year and down 5.8 days, or 3.10%, from the previous five-year average of 186.8 days.
The average daily gain of steers and heifers was mixed with steers going down to 3.49 pounds and heifers rising to 181 pounds.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $235.68 per cwt to $239.53, compared with last week’s range of $225.15 to $243.37 per cwt. FOB dressed steers, and heifers went for $369.26 per cwt to $371.91, compared with $353.24 to $376.32.
The USDA choice cutout Tuesday was up $4.40 per cwt at $386.51 while select was up $5.07 at $372.54. The choice/select spread narrowed to $13.97 from $14.64 with 84 loads of fabricated product and 21 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef was $392.36 per cwt, and 50% beef was $175.48.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.22 to $1.30 a bushel over the Jul corn contract, which settled at $4.31 1/2, down $0.03 1/4.
No live cattle delivery notices were posted.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Friday was $313.89 per cwt, down $3.21. This compares with Tuesday’s Aug contract settlement of $303.35, down $6.87.