Livestock

SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Friday cattle: 200.

Compared to Thursday, not enough slaughter steers, heifers, and Holstein steers for a market comparison. Slaughter cows sold steady. No market comparison on slaughter bulls due to light receipts as well. Near 150 feeders expected for the auction.

Steers: Not tested.

Holsteins: Choice 2-3 1,330-1,630 lbs. 56.00-57.25. Few Select and Choice 2-3 1,375-1,435 lbs. 53.50-54.75. Few Select 2-3 1,200-1,750 lbs. 52.00-53.00.

Heifers: Not tested. Cows: Premium White 70-75 percent lean; Breaking 70-80 percent lean; Boning 80-85 percent lean 39.50-42.00, 35.00-38.00 (low dressing); Lean 85-90 percent lean 36.75-41.00, 42.00-43.00 (high dressing), 32.75-35.00 (low dressing).

Bulls: Not tested.

For the week: Compared to late last week, slaughter steers and heifers sold steady to start off the week. Receipts were light on Monday and Tuesday as up to six inches of snow fell and most producers waited until Wednesday to bring their cattle to town. Trading turned active on Wednesday with slaughter steers and heifers bringing 1.00 higher, with some fancier steers breaking the 68.00 barrier which had them bringing 2.00 higher. Cow trends followed along the same lines as the fats with buyers giving steady money to start the week, and closed out the week bringing 1.00 to 1.50 higher. Slaughter bull prices caught fire on Monday bringing 1.00 to 2.00 higher on good receipts. Bulls remained mostly steady throughout the rest of the week on very light receipts.

Hogs: 500.

Barrows and Gilts: Compared to Thursday, .50 higher. 47-50 percent lean 220-260 lbs. 40.00-40.50; 47-50 percent lean 260-270 lbs. 39.00-40.00; 46-48 percent lean 270-280 lbs. 38.00-39.00.

Sows: Steady. U.S. 1-3 300-500 lbs. 25.00-26.00; 500-550 lbs. 26.00-27.00; 550-600 lbs. 28.00; 600-700 lbs.

Boars: under 300 lbs. 28.00; 300-700 lbs. 14.00.

For the week: Compared to last Friday, barrows and gilts sold 4.00 higher. Sows under 500 lbs. sold 1.00 to 2.00 higher, with sows over 500 lbs. trading 1.00 higher.

Sheep: 100.

Compared to Thursday, all classes sold steady. Supply near 65 percent slaughter lambs, 30 percent feeder lambs, and 5 percent slaughter ewes.

Slaughter Lambs: Shorn: Choice, end Prime 2-3 110-140 lbs. with 1-2 pelts 60.00-62.00.