Feeder cattle receipts at the test auctions started to decline but are still higher than last year. Dry wheat pasture conditions forced early movement, well ahead of normal with continued big numbers on heavier weight cattle. Prices on yearlings headed to feedlots were either side of steady as feedlots stay close to hedging prices. Lighter-weight, stocker-type cattle were easily $1-5 higher but with more limited numbers.

Moderating weather conditions helped to increase the receipts for slaughter cows at the test auctions with 6,300 head, was almost 1,000 head higher than last week. Prices were mostly $1-2 higher but some areas that were a little low last week improved more and the bottom end of the price ranges jumped the most as prices evened out between the different regions.