Athens Livestock Auction - Dec. 19, 2008

Athens cattle prices Friday were up across the board over the previous week, while the head count was down considerably.

ATHENS,TX, 12/19/08 -- Compared to last week: Feeder steers 3.00-5.00 higher. Feeder heifers steady to 4.00 higher. Slaughter cows 2.00-4.00 higher. Slaughter bulls steady. Bulk supply Medium and Large 1-2 400-600 lb feeder steers and heifers. Slaughter cows made up 15 percent of the offering, slaughter bulls 1 percent, replacement cows 7 percent, and feeders 77 percent. The feeder supply included 63 percent steers and 37 percent heifers. Near 22 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.

Cattle and Calves: 660
Week Ago: 1,060

Steers:
Medium and Large 1: 300-400 lbs 105.00-111.00, few to 127.00; 500-600
lbs 86.00-90.00; 600-700 lbs 79.00-81.00. Medium and Large 2: 300-400 lbs 90.00-100.00; 400-500 lbs 87.00-95.00, individual to 111.00; 500-600 lbs 79.00-84.00; 600-700 lb calves 72.00-78.00; 700-800 lbs 68.00-73.00. Medium and Large 3: 400-500 lbs 80.00-84.00.

Heifers:
Medium and Large 1: 300-400 lbs 87.00-89.00; 400-500 lbs 81.00-85.00. Medium and Large 2: 300-400 lbs 80.00-84.00; 400-500 lbs 75.00-80.00; 500-600 lbs 75.00-79.00; 600-700 lb calves 70.00-74.00.

Slaughter Cows:
Boners, 80-85%, 1200-1600#, Avg Dress 41.50-48.50
Boners, 80-85%, 1000-1200#, Avg Dress 40.00-47.00
Lean, 85-90%, 1000-1200#, Avg Dress 35.00-39.00
Lean, 85-90%, 800-1000#, Avg Dress 35.50-39.50
Lean, 85-90%, under 800#, Avg Dress 25.00-33.00

Slaughter Bulls:
Yield Grade 1-2 1300-2100 lbs 48.50-56.00
Low Dressing 1000-1300 lbs 45.00-47.50

Replacement Cows:
Medium and Large 1-2: young 650-920 lb cows 3-8 months bred 53.00-74.00 CWT; middle aged 860-1280 lb cows 5-8 months bred 53.00-59.00 CWT; aged 820-1295 lb cows 5-8 months bred 35.50-48.00 CWT.

Source: Texas Dept of Ag Market News-USDA Market News, Amarillo, TX
806/372-6361 - email: amarillo.lgmn@usda.gov
www.ams.usda.gov/LSMarketNews