Good news in the feeder cattle world - prices and volume improved this week. Feeder cattle numbers jumped higher with 26,900 head at the test auctions, which was 1000 more than the previous week. The feeder cattle prices were easily $3-5 higher on yearlings as well as calves with much more active bidding.

The slaughter cow numbers at the auctions continue to increase and slaughter cow prices were $1-3 higher even though the cow meat prices are still slipping lower. The big items now is that the cow meat prices are considerably higher than last year. The 90% trimming prices on Wednesday were $222.45 per cwt which was $.64 cents lower than the previous Wednesday. Just a note, last year on the same day it was only $195.34.