Arkansas weekly cattle auction summary

The Arkansas weekly livestock auction summary indicated receipts of 1,283 head of cattle selling the week of March 13 to 19 compared to 6,166 head the previous reporting period, according to the USDA-Arkansas Department of Agriculture Market News, Little Rock, Arkansas.

The total included 678 head of feeder cattle, 353 head of slaughter cattle and 252 head of replacement cattle compared to the previous reporting period total of 5,147 head of feeder cattle, 587 head of slaughter cattle and 432 head of replacement cattle. Compared to the close the previous week, there was not enough comparable sale of any one class to establish a market trend; however, the feeder and stocker cattle had a lower undertone with slaughter cattle exhibiting a higher undertone. Auction receipts were limited mainly due to a wet and muddy environmental conditions that continue to place a damper on livestock movement. Additionally, the continued market volatility has most producers and stakeholders at a wait and see period. The supply included 53% feeder cattle with 28% steers, 52% were heifers and 21% were bulls; 28% was slaughter cattle with 82% cows and 18% were bulls; 20% was replacement cattle with 12% stock cows, 61% were bred cows, 3% were bred heifers, 23% were cow-calf pairs and 1% were bulls. The feeder cattle supply weighing over 600 pounds was 9%.