Sioux Falls Regional Livestock

Compared to last week: Slaughter steers and heifers 1.00 to 3.00 lower. Demand just moderate for steers and heifers. Packer buyers started out very reserved and not showing much interest but as the sale progressed bids were easier to find and the market got better. 3 full loads of steers, 3 full loads of heifers, balance part loads and stock trailer loads. Lighter weight cattle starting to show up as calf fed steers and heifers are reaching market weight, yet there was 3 loads of big heifers weighing 1755 lbs but overall more lighter cattle were offered. Packers have been able to push boxed beef prices higher but the market was still under pressure.

Slaughter lambs under 120 lbs 10.00 to 15.00 lower, 120-130 lbs 3.00 to 4.00 lower, over 130 lbs 5.00 to 10.00 lower. Slaughter ewes mostly steady, except Good 2-3 10.00 to 20.00 lower. Moderate demand for non-traditional weight slaughter lambs, good demand for the traditional weights. Feeder buyers were active again this week and able to buy some light lambs away from the slaughter accounts. Light to moderate demand for slaughter ewes. Another big offering of slaughter lambs, including a full load of 161 lbs lambs.