There was a very big run of feeder cattle at the test auctions with 48,400 head, up 29,000 head from last week’s holiday. It was 7,000 head higher than last year. Prices were steady to $4 higher and improving prices also helped to pull more cattle to the auctions.

Turning to slaughter cows, the bigger cow numbers that are taking place now due to drought conditions has put a lid on prices in some areas but other regions are still seeing the price increases that are normal this time of the year.