There were more feeder cattle coupled with higher prices at test auctions this week. Total volume came in at 31,700 head compared to 23,000 head the previous week. Prices were mostly $1-4 higher on yearlings and $6-9 higher on the calves and thin yearlings as recent rain and snow really improved the wheat pastures and upcoming native grass pasture grazing season. The thin lighter weight yearlings are bringing a big price premium which has always been normal ahead of the Flint Hills grazing season.
Slaughter cow numbers increased some and there was 6,300 head at the test auctions. The prices were steady to $3 higher but there were bigger increases on the bottom end of the price ranges as the prices evened out more between the different regions. Cow meat prices rebounded and jumped higher again.
