Livestock

SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Friday cattle estimate: 850. Last Friday: 426. Year ago Friday: 1099. Thursday actual: 367.

Compared to Thursday, not enough slaughter steers, heifers and Holsteins for an adequate market test. Slaughter cows sold steady. Slaughter bulls not tested.

Steers: Not tested.

Holsteins: Not tested.

Heifers: Not tested.

Cows: Premium White 70-80 percent lean; Breaking 70-80 percent lean 42.00-45.50; Boning 80-85 percent lean 39.00-42.00; Lean 85-90 percent lean 36.00-39.00.

Bulls: Not tested.

For the week: Compared to last week, slaughter steers sold steady to .50 lower. Slaughter heifers sold mostly steady and remain in limited supply. Slaughter Holsteins sold steady with a weak undertone. Slaughter cows sold 1.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 1.00 higher. Trade moderate with moderate to good demand for steers and Holsteins. However, trade active with very good demand for slaughter cows as heavy high dressing cows made up the majority of this week's supply. Direct feedlot trading lower at 77.00-79.00 and 2.00 lower dressed at 122.00 to 123.00 dressed. The boxed beef cutout value of a Choice 1-3 600-750 lbs. beef carcass on Thursday was 135.54, 1.48 lower than last week. The estimated Federally Inspected slaughter through Thursday at 523,000 compared to 487,000 last week and 516,000 last year.

Hog estimate: 450. Last Friday: 463. Year ago Friday: 421. Thursday actual: 357.

Barrows and Gilts: Compared to Thursday, sold steady to firm. 47-50 percent lean 220-270 lbs. 35.00-35.50, few high dressing 36.00; 44-48 percent lean 270-290 lbs. 33.00-34.00; 43-46 percent lean 290-300 lbs. 31.00-32.00.

Sows: Steady.

U.S. 1-2: 300-500 lbs. 20.50.

U.S. 1-3: 500-600 lbs. 22.00-24.00; over 600 lbs. 25.00.

Boars: Steady. 270-300 lbs. 16.00; 300-700 lbs. 6.00.

For the week: Compared to last week, barrows and gilts sold 1.00 higher. Sows sold 2.00 to 3.00 higher. Boars sold fully steady. Trade moderate with moderate demand. Pork carlot cutout at 53.21 through Wednesday.