Stocker/Feeder

Stocker and feeder cattle saw modest gains during December, with light cattle trading $1 to $2 higher and yearlings steady to $1 higher, according to Drovers' exclusive 50-market auction summary. Buyer demand continues to support lighter grazing cattle. Steer calves weighing 400 to 500 pounds saw average bids of $107.46 per hundredweight, a gain of $1.96 from November. Yearling steers weighing 600 to 700 pounds traded at $89.56, a gain of just 68 cents per hundredweight. Heifer calves weighing 400 to 500 pounds sold for an average of $92.39 per hundredweight, an increase of $2.19 over November bids. Yearling heifers weighing 600 to 700 pounds fetched $80.83 per hundredweight, an increase of $1.25.

1. UK beef study: Birth/weaning weight
2. Early preparation key to a good calving season
3. Oil gains moderately, trading sluggish ahead of Fed
4. House cafeterias to discontinue "Meatless Mondays"
5. Crude oil expected to peak and cost of electricity to go down
6. Ag markets mixed again Tuesday

1. 3,000 pounds of copper wire stolen from Oklahoma ranch
2. Will Smith dethroned in latest Peterson Farm Bros. parody
3. Changes in U.S.-Mexican cattle and beef trade
4. Experts weigh in on lowest beef supply in 60 years
5. Peterson Brothers: What summer vacation?
6. GoPass 6-month equine “passport” certificate launched in Georgia

1. COOL isn’t working
2. NIAA releases white paper on FMD preparedness
3. Feedyard margins a train wreck, packers cozy
4. Finding the comedy in ag-gag
5. Vilsack: A bill to grow local, regional markets
6. Expert offers tips to reduce hay-drying time