Bred females lower, other classes higher

click image to zoom Despite strong demand for grazing cattle and a softening corn market, prices for bred females declined during March. All other classes of females saw significant increases during the month, according to Drovers/CattleNetwork’s monthly analysis.

The unusually warm winter months ignited a spring green-up that was 10 to 14 days ahead of normal, and the spring demand may have peaked early.

Young and middle-aged bred females saw a national average price of $1,188 per head during March, a decrease of $39 from the previous month. Bred heifers recorded the biggest decline with average prices at $1,402 per head, a drop of $329 from February’s prices. Ironically, aged, bred female prices recorded an increase during March of $182 per head to $1,162.

click image to zoom There were significant increases for all other classes of females. Cow-calf pairs improved $42 to $150, with bids at $990 to $1,410. Slaughter cows were up significantly as beef supplies from fed slaughter are tight. Utility and commercial cows averaged $81.36 per hundredweight, up $6.53 from February. Canner and cutter cows sold for an average of $74.58 per hundredweight, up $7.66.

click image to zoom

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