Weather problems seemed to be the culprit this week as feeder cattle numbers dropped lower in some areas. Prices continue to top out and were starting to drop on yearling steers; heifers held up better. Calf prices firmed up on the top end of the price ranges which were weaned calves, but dropped quite a bit on the bottom end which were bawling and fleshy calves. Current weather problems in some areas put more downward pressure on the bawling, unweaned calves because of possible health problems.
There was still another big run of cows this week, but lower than last week because of storms in some areas. Prices continue to drop a lot more because packing plants are run over with big numbers of cows yet. Those auctions that had the biggest drops last week were closer to steady this week, but those that had a small drop last week had a very big drop this week.
