1. No category

Tennessee Market Highlights
Trends for the Week
Compared to a Week Ago
Slaughter Cows
Steady
Slaughter Bulls
$1 to $3 higher
Feeder Steers
Steady to $4 higher
Feeder Heifers
$1 to $4 higher
Feeder Cattle Index
Wednesday’s index: 217.37
Fed Cattle
The 5-area live price of $159.17 is up
$0.26. The dressed price is up $1.76
at $253.90.
Corn
July closed at $9.64 a bushel, down 6
cents a bushel since last Friday.
Wheat
July closed at $4.74 a bushel, down
14 cents a bushel since last Friday.
Cotton
July closed at 66.61 cents per lb, up
0.27 cents per lb since last Friday.
Number: 18
Livestock Comments by Dr. Andrew P. Griffith
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle traded steady to $2
higher on a live basis compared to a week
ago. Prices on a live basis were $158 to
$160 while dressed prices were between
$253 and $255. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $159.17 live,
up $0.26 from last week and $253.90
dressed, up $1.76 from a week ago. A year
ago prices were $147.79 live and $236.38
dressed. Packers and feeders were reluctant to compromise as they played a game
of tug of war. Feedlot managers have closeouts that are bleeding red ink while cutout
prices are faltering and squeezing packer
margins. The June live cattle contract is
now the nearby futures contract, but the
June contract is trading at $10 plus discount
to cash prices in both the South and North.
Complete convergence of the cash and futures is not likely to occur at all while significant partial convergence is not expected
to occur until June arrives. The cash price is
likely to weaken into the summer, but the
live cattle contract is also likely to find some
support and push towards the cash price by
the first of June.
July closed at $3.63 a bushel, down 6
cents a bushel since last Friday.
Soybeans
May 1, 2015
BEEF CUTOUT: At midday Friday, the
Choice cutout was $254.50 down $2.40
from Thursday and down $4.28 from last
Friday. The Select cutout was $242.38
down $1.67 from Thursday and down $6.90
from last Friday. The Choice Select spread
was $12.11 compared to $9.49 a week ago.
The unofficial start of summer does not kick
off until Memorial Day weekend but, grilling season has already started for many
consumers. This is evident through the
Choice Select spread which has widened by
about $9 since the first week of April. Restaurants and food service folks have been
shifting their purchases from Select grade
cuts to Choice grade product more suitable
for grilling. The desire to purchase Choice
grade beef relative to Select grade beef is
expected to continue throughout the grilling season. The Choice Select spread is expected to continue widening the next sev-
eral weeks before experiencing some resistance. Steak cuts such as the ribeye and
loin along with ground product will drive
the beef market through the summer. The
one big question is if consumers will defect
from beef due to high retail prices. There
has been little indication that consumers
will look past the beef counter. A second
question is how the highly pathogenic avian
influenza outbreak in the chicken flock will
impact beef prices. It could go either way at
this point.
TENNESSEE AUCTIONS: On Tennessee auctions this week compared to a week ago
steers and bulls were steady to $4 higher.
Heifers were $1 to $4 higher. Slaughter
cows were steady while bulls were $1 to $3
higher. Average receipts per sale were 718
head on 10 sales compared to 640 head on
10 sales last week and 550 head on 12 sales
last year.
OUTLOOK: Last week’s cattle on feed report was a little bearish in terms of the
number of cattle on feed as numbers were
even with a year ago but higher than what
many analysts had expected. There is not
necessarily a lot to say about the report,
but the report does confirm what many in
the industry suspected with regards to
growing calves outside the feedlot. Placements of cattle on feed was down for cattle
weighing less than 800 pounds, but cattle
placed on feed weighing 800 pounds and
up increased 16.1 percent from one year
ago. Many producers continue to hold
cattle longer on pasture as the market price
of yearling feeder cattle supports the notion to continue adding weight. Thus, cowcalf, stocker and backgrounding operations
are holding cattle to heavier weights. Similarly, feedlot operators are holding cattle to
heavier weights because the market continues to pay for the additional weight. This
may or may not be an issue going forward,
but the large number of heavier cattle on
(Continued on page 2)
Livestock Comments by Dr. Andrew Griffith
50.18. August live cattle closed at $148.10. Support is at
$146.85, then $144.85. Resistance is at $149.25, then $149.73.
The RSI is 51.70. October live cattle closed at $149.68. Support
is at $149.58, then $146.80. Resistance is at $149.78, then
$150.60. The RSI is 50.94. May feeders closed at $212.98. Support is at $211.01, then $207.48. Resistance is at $214.53 then
$218.06. The RSI is 53.26. August feeders closed at $214.70.
Support is at $213.90, then $213.88. Resistance is at $214.80
then $215.68. The RSI is 53.64. September feeders closed at
$213.93. Support is at $213.78, then $213.03. Resistance is at
$213.98 then $214.70. The RSI is 54.05. Friday’s closing prices
were as follows: Live/fed cattle –June $149.18 -0.53; August
$147.83 -0.28; October $149.60 -0.08; Feeder cattle - May
$213.63 +0.65; August $215.08 +0.38; September $214.70
+0.78. October $213.78 +0.53; May corn closed at $3.60 down
$0.03 from Thursday.
(Continued from page 1)
feed could put pressure on live cattle prices as the market approaches some of the largest slaughter weeks in the month of
June. One aspect of the market that supports prices is that the
dressed weight of cattle is generally declining at the same time
slaughter is peaking. However, slaughter weights are holding
their own which will put more beef product on the market
which will pressure beef prices and then cattle prices. The market price is expected to continue rewarding putting weight on
calves and feeder cattle the next several months, but producers
should consider adding value to those animals by providing a
complete health program as well as preparing those animals to
enter the feedlot. The idea of adding value to calves is often
overlooked by small producers, but it is not overlooked by order buyers and feedlot managers. Making a change to the operation always comes with some degree of resistance, but the
time to attempt making a change is when times are good because it provides a greater margin for error. Such changes can
and will mean the difference in profits and losses when prices
falter and costs escalate.
Milk Futures
Month
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING: Based on Thursday’s closing prices,
June live cattle closed at $149.70. Support is at $148.12, then
$144.94. Resistance is at $151.29 then $154.47. The RSI is
Average Daily Slaughter
Thursday April 30, 2015
Class III Close Class IV Close
16.22
14.20
16.34
14.85
16.45
15.26
16.72
15.53
17.10
15.92
USDA Box Beef Cutout Value
Cattle
Hogs
Choice 1-3
600-900 lbs
———— Number of head ————
This week (4 days)
112,500
Last week (4 days)
108,750
Year ago (4 days)
118,750
This week as percentage of
Week ago (%)
103%
Year ago (%)
95%
427,250
429,500
395,500
Select 1-3
600-900 lbs
———————— $/cwt —-———————
Thursday
Last Week
Year ago
Change from week ago
Change from year ago
99%
108%
256.90
260.01
233.10
-3.11
+23.80
244.05
251.04
222.29
-6.99
+21.76
Crop Comments by Dr. Aaron Smith
Overview
Cotton was up; corn, soybeans, and wheat were down for the week. In April,
July corn futures decreased 21 cents from $3.85/bu to $3.64/bu; July soybeans decreased 5 cents from $9.77/bu to $9.72/bu; July wheat decreased
41 cents from $5.15/bu to $4.74/bu; and July cotton increased 4.67 cents
from 63.21 cents/lb to 67.88 cents/lb. For soybeans, wheat, and corn, large
global stocks, a record South American harvest, and a high US dollar have contributed to lower prices. Cotton futures, the lone
bright spot this past month, benefitted from strong export sales and reduced estimated domestic acreage, as indicated by the
USDA’s Prospective Plantings report. Moving forward, a weaker-to-flat US dollar should help export sales. On the downside, concerns over feed use may persist if we see an increase in the number of cases of H5N2 bird flu. As we move through May we will
likely see harvest futures trade in established ranges: Dec corn-$3.70 to $4.20; Nov soybeans-$9.30 to $9.80; July wheat-$4.60 to
$5.20; and Dec cotton- 62 to 68 cents. Any rallies in grain and oilseed markets should be viewed as opportunities to price additional production as, baring a weather event, substantial price improvements remain unlikely in the current marketing environment.
Nationally, corn planting progress is ahead of 2014 but slightly behind the five year average; however, Monday’s report release
should show further improvement due to favorable planting conditions in many Corn Belt states. Due to wet weather, Tennessee
continues to remain well behind typical planting progress. Tennessee producers may shift acreage to cotton, soybeans, or sorghum
2
Crop Comments by Dr. Aaron Smith
if wet conditions persist. Note: This week, the CME implemented new daily price limits effective May 1st. The new price limits (and
expanded limits) are: corn: $0.30 ($0.45), soybeans: $0.70 ($1.05); and wheat $0.40 ($0.60).
Corn
July 2015 corn futures closed at $3.63 down 6 cents a bushel since last week. This week July 2015 corn futures prices traded between $3.60 and $3.70. Across Tennessee average basis (cash price- nearby future price) strengthened at Northwest Barge Points,
Memphis, Northwest, Lower-middle, and Upper-middle Tennessee. Overall, average basis for the week ranged from 10 under to 39
over the July futures contract with an average of 12 over at the end of the week. Ethanol production for the week ending April 24th
was 921,000 barrels per day down 9,000 barrels per day from last week. Ending ethanol stocks were 20.797 million barrels down
545,000 barrels from last week. Corn net sales reported by exporters from April 17th to 23rd were above expectations with net
sales of 32.8 million bushels for the 2014/15 marketing year and 4.5 million bushels for the 2015/16 marketing year. Exports for
the same time period were up from last week at 50 million bushels. Corn export sales and commitments were 88% of the USDA
estimated total annual exports for the 2014/15 marketing year (September 1 to August 31) compared to a 5-year average of 91%.
Jul/Sep and Jul/Dec future spreads were 6 cents and 17 cents, respectively.
September 2015 futures closed at $3.69 down 8 cents from last week. September 2015 cash forward contracts averaged $3.64
with a range of $3.39 to $3.94. Nationally, this week’s Crop Progress report estimated corn planted at 19% compared to 9% last
week, 17% last year, and a 5-year average of 25%; and corn emerged at 2% compared to 3% last year and a 5-year average of 6%.
In Tennessee, corn planted was estimated at 17% compared to 6% last week, 48% last year, and a 5-year average of 60%; and corn
emerged at 3% compared to 10% last year and a 5-year average of 30%. Downside price protection could be obtained by purchasing a $3.70 September 2015 Put Option costing 22 cents establishing a $3.48 futures floor.
Soybeans
July 2015 soybean futures closed at $9.64 down 6 cents since last week. This week July 2015 soybean futures traded between
$9.61 and $9.95. July soybean to corn price ratio was 2.66 at the end of the week. For the week, average soybean basis strengthened at Memphis, Northwest Barge Points, Northwest, Upper-middle, and Lower-middle Tennessee. Basis ranged from 10 under to
32 over the July futures contract at elevators and barge points. Average basis at the end of the week was 14 over the July futures
contract. Net sales reported by exporters were within expectations with net sales of 15.9 million bushels for the 2014/15 marketing
year and net sales reductions of 4.4 million bushels for the 2015/16 marketing year. Exports for the same period were up from last
3
(Continued on page 4)
Crop Comments by Dr. Aaron Smith
week at 9.7 million bushels. Soybean export sales and commitments were 101% of the USDA estimated total annual exports for the
2014/15 marketing year (September 1 to August 31), compared to a 5-year average of 98%. August 2015 soybean futures closed at
$9.59 down 7 cents since last week. Jul/Aug and Jul/Nov future spreads were -5 cent and -24 cents, respectively.
November 2015 futures closed at $9.40 down 12 cents from last week. Nov/Sep 2015 soybean to corn price ratio was 2.55. October/November 2015 cash forward contracts averaged $9.46 with a range of $9.20 to $9.72 at elevators and barge points. Nationally, this week’s Crop Progress report estimated soybeans planted at 2% compared to 3% last year and a 5-year average of 4%. In
Tennessee, soybeans planted were estimated at 1% compared to 2% last year and a 5-year average of 3%. Downside price protection could be achieved by purchasing a $9.60 November 2015 Put Option which would cost 62 cents and set an $8.98 futures floor.
Cotton
July 2015 cotton futures closed at 66.61 up 0.27 cents since last week. July 2015 cotton futures traded between 65.6 and 68.13
cents this week. Adjusted world price (AWP) increased 3.14 cents to 51.7 cents per pound. Net sales reported by exporters were
down from last week with net sales of 124,200 bales for the 2014/15 marketing year and net sales of 42,900 bales for the 2015/16
marketing year. Exports for the same period were down from last week at 285,300 bales. Upland cotton export sales were 103% of
the USDA estimated total annual exports for the 2014/15 marketing year (August 1 to July 31), compared to a 5-year average of
100%. October 2015 cotton futures closed at 66.3 up 0.69 cents since last week. Jul/Oct and Jul/Dec futures spread were -0.31
cents and -0.16 cents, respectively.
December 2015 cotton futures closed at 66.45 up 0.83 cents since last week. Nationally, this week’s Crop Progress report estimated cotton planted at 10% compared to 8% last week, 12% last year, and a 5-year average of 16%. In Tennessee, cotton planted was
estimated at 3% compared to 3% last year and a 5-year average of 2%. Downside price protection could be obtained by purchasing
a 67 cent December 2015 Put Option costing 3.68 cents establishing a 63.32 cent futures floor.
Wheat
July 2015 wheat futures closed at $4.74 down 14 cents since last week. July wheat futures traded between $4.64 and $4.90 this
week. July wheat to corn price ratio was 1.31. In Memphis, old crop cash wheat traded between $4.27 and $4.37 last week. Net
sales reported by exporters were below expectations with net cancellations of 16.5 million bushels for the 2014/15 marketing year
(Continued on page 5)
4
Crop Comments by Dr. Aaron Smith
and net sales of 31.3 million bushels for the 2015/16 marketing year. Exports for the same period were up from last week at 22.3
million bushels. Wheat export sales were 97% of the USDA estimated total annual exports for the 2014/15 marketing year (June 1
to May 31), compared to a 5-year average of 102%. Nationally, this week’s Crop Progress report estimated winter wheat condition
at 42% good to excellent and 20% poor to very poor; winter wheat headed was estimated at 28% compared to 16% last week, 17%
last year, and a 5-year average of 24%; spring wheat planted was estimated at 55% compared to 36% last week, 17% last year, and
a 5-year average of 19%; and spring wheat emerged was estimated at 9% compared to 4% last year and a 5-year average of 9%. In
Tennessee, winter wheat condition was estimated at 79% good to excellent and 2% poor to very poor; winter wheat jointing was
estimated at 81% compared to 66% last week, 73% last year, and a 5-year average of 89%; and winter wheat headed was estimated at 13% compared to 1% last week, 18% last year and a 5-year average of 38%. June/July 2015 cash forward contracts averaged
$4.65 with a range of $4.13 to $4.90 at elevators and barge points.
September 2015 wheat futures closed at $4.82 down 16 cents since last week. Jul/Sept and Jul/Jul future spreads were 8 cents and
59 cents, respectively. July 2016 wheat futures closed at $5.33 down 10 cents since last week. Downside price protection could be
obtained by purchasing a $5.40 July 2016 Put Option costing 56 cents establishing a $4.84 futures floor.
Additional Information:
If you would like further information or clarification on topics discussed in the crop comments section or would like to be added to
our free email list please contact me at [email protected].
5
Futures Settlement Prices: Crops & Livestock
Friday, April 24, 2015 — Thursday, April 30, 2015
Friday
Monday
Tuesday
9.69
9.73
9.77
9.70
9.73
9.77
9.66
9.68
9.71
9.56
9.56
9.59
9.52
9.52
9.53
9.59
9.58
9.59
Commodity
Soybeans
($/bushel)
Contract Month
May
Jul
Aug
Sep
Nov
Jan
Wednesday
9.88
9.88
9.82
9.68
9.61
9.67
Thursday
9.78
9.76
9.71
9.58
9.52
9.58
Corn
($/bushel)
May
Jul
Sep
Dec
Mar
May
3.64
3.69
3.77
3.88
3.99
4.07
3.60
3.64
3.72
3.83
3.94
4.02
3.61
3.64
3.71
3.82
3.93
4.01
3.63
3.67
3.74
3.85
3.97
4.04
3.62
3.66
3.72
3.83
3.94
4.02
Wheat
($/bushel)
May
Jul
Sep
Dec
Mar
4.86
4.88
4.98
5.15
5.30
4.70
4.73
4.82
5.00
5.16
4.71
4.76
4.85
5.03
5.20
4.77
4.83
4.93
5.11
5.28
4.67
4.74
4.83
5.02
5.20
Soybean Meal
($/ton)
May
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Dec
314
313
312
310
308
309
315
314
312
311
309
309
318
317
315
314
311
311
324
322
320
318
314
314
318
316
314
313
310
310
Cotton
(¢/lb)
May
Jul
Oct
Dec
Mar
66.50
66.34
65.61
65.62
65.27
66.39
66.23
65.76
65.63
65.21
66.62
66.39
65.77
65.85
65.48
67.32
67.09
66.51
66.27
65.78
68.12
67.88
66.83
66.64
66.11
Live Cattle
($/cwt)
Apr
Jun
Aug
Oct
Dec
161.17
151.20
149.72
151.22
152.00
160.47
150.27
148.35
150.05
150.97
161.00
151.12
148.80
150.47
151.40
160.80
150.90
149.15
150.60
151.30
159.50
149.70
148.10
149.67
150.47
Feeder Cattle
($/cwt)
Apr
May
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
214.85
214.07
215.67
214.70
213.87
212.95
214.90
211.40
213.17
212.22
211.32
210.65
215.97
212.35
213.87
213.02
212.10
210.87
216.52
213.05
214.70
213.95
213.07
212.15
217.55
212.97
214.70
213.92
213.25
212.07
Market Hogs
($/cwt)
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Oct
71.95
79.45
80.75
80.75
71.87
72.27
79.40
80.72
80.77
71.67
73.75
79.90
81.20
81.27
71.77
75.32
81.20
82.47
82.57
72.50
76.95
81.42
82.52
82.37
71.87
6
Prices on Tennessee Reported Livestock Auctions for the week ending May 1, 2015
Low
This Week
High
Weighted Average
Last Week
Weighted Average
Year Ago
Weighted Average
—————————————————————— $/cwt ——————————————————————
Steers: Medium/Large Frame #1-2
300-400 lbs
267.00
365.00
309.61
310.24
236.72
400-500 lbs
250.00
315.00
276.75
276.25
223.47
500-600 lbs
233.00
275.00
254.26
250.33
204.94
600-700 lbs
205.00
243.00
226.93
224.87
186.22
700-800 lbs
191.00
221.00
209.80
202.47
170.43
300-400 lbs
200.00
325.00
275.50
282.53
201.05
400-500 lbs
222.50
260.00
250.27
257.86
204.82
500-600 lbs
227.00
250.00
241.70
230.32
———
600-700 lbs
———
———
———
———
———
Steers: Small Frame #1-2
Steers: Medium/Large Frame #3
300-400 lbs
250.00
330.00
286.10
282.71
215.61
400-500 lbs
226.00
290.00
252.06
251.75
194.10
500-600 lbs
221.00
255.00
234.02
234.66
181.79
600-700 lbs
195.00
230.00
213.91
213.01
170.68
700-800 lbs
———
———
———
———
———
300-400 lbs
232.50
250.00
244.96
———
149.01
500-600 lbs
———
———
———
188.86
———
700-800 lbs
159.00
164.50
161.18
———
———
Breakers 75-80%
103.00
117.00
110.22
109.32
97.35
Boners 80-85%
103.50
118.00
111.70
111.92
98.10
Lean 85-90%
90.00
111.50
102.56
102.94
85.24
Bulls YG 1
130.50
150.00
139.70
136.81
115.72
Holstein Steers
Slaughter Cows & Bulls
Heifers: Medium/Large Frame #1-2
300-400 lbs
245.00
317.50
275.30
276.40
212.28
400-500 lbs
226.00
272.50
246.77
249.13
200.79
500-600 lbs
210.00
244.00
227.29
225.20
186.08
600-700 lbs
182.00
220.00
205.75
203.12
171.67
300-400 lbs
230.00
257.50
244.58
251.26
180.36
400-500 lbs
201.00
240.00
223.06
220.16
171.50
500-600 lbs
209.00
224.00
215.41
212.33
166.22
185.04
———
Heifers: Small Frame #1-2
600-700 lbs
Heifers: Medium/Large Frame #3
300-400 lbs
220.00
282.00
255.82
257.20
193.60
400-500 lbs
216.00
252.50
234.85
231.33
181.56
500-600 lbs
200.00
238.00
215.63
208.51
170.81
600-700 lbs
172.50
205.00
190.07
190.44
150.83
Cattle Receipts (# sales): This week: 7,181 (10)
Week ago: 6,400 (10)
7
Year ago: 6,600 (12)
Tennessee 500-600 lbs. M-1 Steer Prices
Tennessee 700-800 lbs. M-1 Steer Prices
2014, 2015 and 5-year average
2014, 2015 and 5-year average
270
250
230
210
190
170
150
130
110
225
205
185
165
145
125
105
85
2009/2013 Avg
2014
200 9/20 13 Avg
2015
201 4
201 5
5-Area Finished Cattle Prices
Tennessee Slaughter Cow Prices
2014, 2 015 and 5-year average
Breakers 75-80%
2014, 2015 and 5-year average
175
165
155
145
135
125
115
105
95
85
115
105
95
85
75
65
55
45
35
2009/2013 Avg
2014
200 9/20 13 Avg
2015
201 4
201 5
Prices Paid to Farmers by Elevators
Friday, April 24, 2015 — Thursday, April 30, 2015
Friday
Low
High
Monday
Low
Tuesday
High
Low
High
Wednesday
Low
High
Thursday
Low
High
————–-——–——————————————— $/bushel ———————————————————–———
No. 2 Yellow Soybeans
Memphis
9.94-9.99
9.98-10.03
10.02-10.07
10.13-10.18
10.03-10.08
N.W. B.P.
9.69-9.94
9.73-9.98
9.77-10.02
9.88-10.13
9.78-10.03
N.W. TN
9.65-9.69
9.68-9.73
9.77-9.78
9.88-9.90
9.78-9.81
Upper Md.
9.84-9.84
9.88-9.88
9.92-9.92
10.03-10.03
9.93-9.93
Lower Md.
9.59-9.90
9.63-9.93
9.67-9.98
9.78-10.09
9.68-9.99
Memphis
3.87-3.89
3.83-3.85
3.86-3.86
3.88-3.88
3.87-3.87
N.W. B.P.
3.64-3.86
3.60-3.85
3.61-3.86
3.63-3.88
3.62-3.87
N.W. TN
3.57-3.79
3.54-3.75
3.58-3.76
3.61-3.78
3.60-3.77
Upper Md.
3.67-3.76
3.63-3.72
3.64-3.73
3.66-3.75
3.65-3.74
Lower Md.
3.89-3.90
3.86-4.00
3.86-4.01
3.89-4.03
3.88-4.02
4.46-4.46
4.30-4.30
4.31-4.31
4.37-4.37
4.27-4.27
Yellow Corn
Wheat
Memphis
8
Video Board Sale and Graded Sales
Tennessee Sheep and Goat Auction
BLUE GRASS STOCKYARDS—April 29, 2015
20 bbwf steers, avg. wt. 600 lbs., $244.00
45 bbwf heifers, avg. wt. 600 lbs., $234.00
75 bbwf-fancy steers, avg. wt. 650 lbs., $250.00
60 bbwf-mixed steers, avg. wt. 835 lbs., $204.50
57 bbwf-mixed steers, avg. wt. 935 lbs., $189.00
105 Holstein steers, avg. wt. 970 lbs., $160.50
4/27/15 Tennessee Livestock Producers Graded Goat and
Sheep Sale, Columbia, TN
Receipts: 445 (257 Goats; 188 Sheep) Last Sale 336
Next Sale May 11, 2015. (2nd and 4th Monday of each month)
Goats sold per hundred weight (cwt) unless otherwise noted,
weights, actual or estimated.
Slaughter Classes: Kids
Selection 1
25-35 lbs 215.00-232.00
36-50 lbs 202.00-265.00
51-65 lbs 260.00-270.00
66-80 lbs 248.00
Video Board Sale and Graded Sales
4/29/15 Brownings Livestock Market, Lafayette, TN
Receipts: 1,901 (1,719 Feeders)
For complete report:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/nv_ls180.txt
Selection 2
25-35 lbs 202.00-206.00
36-50 lbs 230.00-265.00
51-65 lbs 253.00-261.00
66-80 lbs 192.00
81-100 lbs 160.00
Selection 3
25-35 lbs 200.00
36-50 lbs 201.00-211.00
51-65 lbs 182.00-208.00
66-80 lbs 155.00
Yearlings Selection 2-3: 50-130 lbs 153.00-164.00
Slaughter Bucks/Billies: All wgts 122.00-153.00
Slaughter Nannies/Does: All wgts 115.00-152.00
Kids Feeders Selection 3: 24-50 lbs 175.00-205.00
SHEEP:
Slaughter Lambs-Includes all breeds, sold per hundred weight
(cwt).
Choice and Prime 40-60 lbs 200.00-212.00
Good
216.00-225.00
Choice and Prime 61-80 lbs 194.00-199.00
Good
139.00-155.00
Choice and Prime 81-100 lbs 152.00-174.00
Good
132.00
Choice and Prime 100-120 lbs 155.00
Good
132.00
Choice and Prime 120-140 lbs
Slaughter Ewes Utility and Good: All wgts 73.00-119.00
Slaughter Rams: All Wgts 72.00-78.00
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Beef Industry News - Featured Article from PORKNetwork
Antibiotic use deserves serious conversation, not scare tactics
The recent release of the Food and Drug Administration’s report on antibiotic sales brought a round of calls from certain
advocacy groups to ban the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. These advocates remind me of another crowd: the antivaccination movement. Both the groups pushing for an antibiotic-free animal agriculture and the “anti-vaxxers” ignore established science on their respective issues in a way that leads
to diminished human and animal welfare.
We certainly should have a debate about the judicious use of
antibiotics in agriculture, but jumping to an outright ban defies
science and common sense, will cause more animal suffering,
and may have adverse effects on public health.
While those pushing for an outright ban are on the fringe, concerns about antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agriculture are
starting to hit the mainstream. In American Humane Association’s 2014 Humane Heartland Farm Animal Welfare Survey,
more than half of the respondents indicated that they seek out
food labeled “Antibiotic Free,” second only behind “Humanely
Raised.”
Opponents of antibiotics frequently point to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least two million
Americans become infected with bacteria that are resistant to
antibiotics every year. Reports indicate that the most resistant
infections reside in human hospital settings. However, there is
no evidence that antibiotics used in animal agriculture have
decreased the effectiveness of antibiotics in humans. According
to Dr. Stephanie Doores of Pennsylvania State University,
“People would be more likely to die from a bee sting than for
their antibiotic treatment to fail because of macrolide-resistant
bacteria in meat or poultry.”;
A look across the world to Denmark is also instructive. Despite
a complete ban on antibiotic use for growth promotion instituted in 2000, there is very little evidence that it led to any positive impacts onhuman health or a decline in antibiotic resistant
bacteria. In fact, it has resulted in a significant increase in the
therapeutic use of antibiotics in animals, due to animals getting
sick.
when given to a child with strep throat, antibiotics relieve the
pain and distress of sick animals while helping them to recover.
One of the Five Freedoms upon which the American Humane
Certified program is based is the freedom “from pain, injury
and disease.” An outright ban would be inhumane to sick animals, and would violate one of the Five Freedoms that serves
as the internationally accepted social contract with animals.
Additionally, what is not often discussed is that use of antibiotics in farm animals provides for a safer food supply, and that
the FDA has long required withdrawal periods for such use. As
noted by Dr. Christine Hoang, assistant director of the American Veterinary Medical Association, in her 2010 testimony to
the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health: “For food animals, drugs additionally contribute to the public health by mitigating disease and thereby reducing the numbers of bacteria entering the food supply. Studies show that a reduction in the incidence of food animal illness
will reduce bacterial contamination on meat, thereby reducing
the risk of human illness.”
Because it is an issue of concern for the public, antibiotic use in
agriculture demands a healthy and robust discussion. But veterinarians, public health professionals and scientists should be
determining what the appropriate use of antibiotics is. And
such a discussion needs to include outcomes for the sick animal, as it’s simply not humane to leave an animal to suffer
needlessly.
Recent moves by Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s demonstrate that
the issue is becoming more urgent. Let’s set aside the scare
tactics and pressure campaigns and have a real, honest conversation about safe and proper antibiotic use that’s driven by
science.
Agriculture, researchers and humane organizations must work
together to educate the public and food companies about
proper antibiotic use, or else the dialogue will be led by misinformation. In working together, we can develop policies that
improve animal health and welfare, safeguard our abundant
food supply and protect public health. Better science is needed
to advance a better understanding of human and animal
health, and define what it is to be humane.
Science – and common sense – tell us that antibiotics can and
do help improve well-being, decrease mortality rates of farm
animals, and prevent unnecessary suffering. Just as they do
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
314 Morgan Hall • 2621 Morgan Circle
http://economics.ag.utk.edu/
USDA / Tennessee Department of Agriculture Market News Service
http://economics.ag.utk.edu/curmkt.html
http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/marketing/marketnews.html
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1-800-342-8206