Feedlot sales of fed steers to packing plants, or closeouts, in January were less than January 2019 but more than the 2014-2018 average, according to data collected by the Kansas State University Extension Service and compiled and distributed by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver.
The K-State Extension Service surveys select, representative feed yards around the state each month about numbers sold, weights, days on feed and rate of gain. The LMIC takes the representative data, extrapolates it to get a statistical sampling of average activities across the state for the cattle marketed to packers. The results are published on the LMIC website for members to use.
The study also showed, however, that January’s heifer closeouts were just the opposite – more than a year earlier but less than the previous five-year average.
STEER MARKETINGS DOWN
The average number of fed steers sold to packing plants by Kansas feedlots in January was 4,416 head, up 132, or 3.08%, from December’s 4,284 but 715, or 13.9%, less than January 2019’s 5,131.
If the number of steers marketed each month follows the average trend, it will be lower when February’s numbers are reported. Typically, February represents the lowest month for Kansas feedlot marketings, although last year, March’s number was the low-point in the year.
Those steers weighed more than last year and the 2014-2018 average, coming in at an average of 1,450 pounds, down 14, or 0.96%, from December’s 1,464 but up 47, or 3.35%, from the year-earlier number of 1,403 and 37.8, or 2.68%, more than the previous five-year average of 1,412.2 pounds.
There is a strong seasonal tendency for fed steers to weigh less in February than in January, a trend that generally continues until the number of fall-placed calves runs low, being replaced by more cattle that were placed on feed as larger yearlings. This typically is the annual low, although last year’s low occurred with the steers that were sold for slaughter in March.
The average number of days January’s steer marketings took to reach market weight and maturity was 168, down 10, or 5.62%, from 178 a year earlier but up 9.8, or 6.19%, from the 2014-2018 average of 158.2.
On average, exit weights of fed steers from Kansas feedlots will rise into the annual peak in April, although last year, February’s exit weights were down, only to peak in June.
HEIFER MARKETINGS UP
The average number of fed heifers sold to packing plants by Kansas feed yards in January was 3,818 head, up 274, or 7.73%, from December’s 3,544 and up 560, or 17.2%, from the year-ago figure of 3,258. However, it was down 275, or 6.72%, from the 2014-2018 average of 4,093 head.
The final weight of those heifers was 1,323 pounds, up nine, or 0.68%, from 1,314 in December and up 47, or 3.68%, from 1,276 in January 2019 and up 84.2, or 6.80%, from the 2014-2018 average of 1,238.8.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
Cash cattle traded in the Plains this week at $110 per cwt on a live basis, down $3 from last week, and at $175 dressed, down $5 to $7.
The USDA choice cutout Monday was down $0.11 per cwt at $207.36, while select was off $0.25 at $202.32. The choice/select spread widened to $5.04 from $4.90 with 64 loads of fabricated product sold into the spot market.
The CME Feeder Cattle index for the seven days ended Friday was $134.82 per cwt, up $0.95 from the previous day. This compares with Monday’s Mar contract settlement of $126.20, down $4.50.