The spring feeder cattle marketing season in the Northern Plains is wrapping up, as most backgrounded cattle reached market weights and have been sold to feedlot buyers. Many auction markets are reporting sales volumes at 20 to 30 percent of peak runs in February. And the percentage of heifers selling is outnumbering steers as the heavier weight steers were sold earlier.

Funded by the beef checkoff’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, participation in the Online Master Cattle Transporter program is one way for transporters to show their customers that they take every step possible to keep their cattle healthy and as safe as possible. Melissa Slagle of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board outlines the premise behind this new program. What is the web address? SLAGLE: www.animalcaretraining.org

Cattle prices peaked-out at the end of the first quarter with all classes posting impressive new all-time highs that far surpassed previous records. However, April saw market levels begin to retreat with pressure looming from higher inputs (grains and fuel) and the tapering-off of demand for stocker cattle and calves. The first week of April marked the first time since the winter storms cleared-up that the demand for feeder cattle actually outweighed that for stockers. Feedlot replacement cattle sold $1 to $4 lower for the month, while lighter-weights lost $3 to $8 of value. Fed cattle ended April $8 off their late-March highs, but feedlots were mostly able to keep cash sales at a premium to the Board.

The evaluation of rakes and mergers can be based on field losses, drying rates, windrow shape and condition, ability to move large swaths, and ability to create a windrow free of contamination of rocks, soil and other debris.

There is a way to prevent injuries and fatalities on the farm and save millions of dollars, notes the American Society of Safety Engineers’ Agricultural Branch administrator Michael Wolf.