Sioux Falls Regional Livestock

Compared to last week: Slaughter steers and heifers 5.00 to 6.00 higher. Very good demand for this nice offering of longtime fed, very high quality grading steers and heifers. As the cash market popped up to 202.50 in the country last week, and the futures contracts trying to follow along, as well as rising boxed beef values, packers were willing to give more to get these high quality cattle bought at the auction. Hides remain pretty clean, for this time of year, in spite of the snow/rain received last week cattle were not carrying a large amount of tag. Many cattle hauled in overnight, which resulted in a fair weighing condition. 19 full loads of steers and heifers, balance stock trailer loads and small packages. Estimated dressed cost looked to be around 324.00-325.00.

Slaughter lambs under 120 lbs traded unevenly, mostly steady to firm undertones compared to last week's more limited offering, over 120 lbs 5.00 to 10.00 lower. Slaughter ewes were uneven, as the supply was so large, mostly steady when compared to a light offering last week. Good demand for light weight slaughter lambs, moderate to good for the traditional slaughter weight lambs. Good demand for slaughter ewes. The market was active for all classes on this very large offering.