Market Report Translation

uncle · #1 08/08/11, 10:07 PM

I am looking at getting a couple feeders and looked up the local market report. I am thinking that the average weight of the 300-340lb critters was 331 lbs. but did it sale for 138.64/head or 138.64/100lbs.
As I look through it, can it be that the heavier ones bring the same money as the smaller ones/
Please some one help me before I get my self in a bind at payout time.
Brian

Prices follow with weighted average price in
parenthesis.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1 300-340 lbs (331) 130.00-152.00 (138.64);
350-395 lbs (370) 130.00-140.00 (134.95); 400-445 lbs (421) 128.00-138.00
(133.83); 455-495 lbs (479) 128.00-138.00 (133.73); 500-545 lbs (521) 124.00-
130.00 (127.14); 555-595 lbs (579) 122.00-128.00 (124.97); 600-645 lbs (628)
124.00-129.00 (126.14). ......etc

ksfarmer · #2 08/08/11, 10:24 PM

average weight=331 lbs; average price= $138.64 /100 lbs. Total per head average $458.89.

average weight=628 lbs; average price=$126.14/ 100 lbs. Total per head average=$792.15.

uncle · #3 08/08/11, 10:37 PM

Thank you so much for your quick reply. Knowing the price/100lbs really makes you think.
Brian

copperhead46 · #4 08/08/11, 11:04 PM

About the only ones that sell by the head, are bottle calves and cow/calf pairs. When you hear the auctioneer saying, 138, 138? that means he's got 137 and trying to get $1.38 per pound. good luck
P.J.

uncle · #5 08/09/11, 10:01 PM

It's hard sometimes to follow the auctioneer when he has that southern draw and a mouth full of RedMan.
I'm on the fence of when to buy. The trend here is down a couple dollars a week for the last three weeks.
The last calf I bought was $38/100lbs about 30 years ago. I just didn't know if the market report followed the same plan.
Brian

ksfarmer · #6 08/10/11, 12:51 PM

Auctioneers can vary a lot, but most get easier to understand after you spend some time listening to him. As far as price, I don't know where you are, but, I expect cattle prices to continue downward. Due to the drought in Texas, Ok, and Kansas, a lot of cattle are coming out of pastures early and going to market. Grass is short or gone and hay is in short supply and high priced.