A cold front passed through the state early last week bringing with it record low temperatures and, in some areas, snow. Cotton and soybean farmers took advantage of drier conditions toward the end of the week to harvest their crops. Wheat growers were also able to make progress planting. Livestock producers continued to have to feed hay due to the dry weather earlier this autumn. This has led to concerns about hay supplies lasting through the winter. A few cattle producers were already making inquiries about purchasing hay for their herds. There were 4.5 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.

CROP PROGRESS

Cotton (harvested) – 79 percent this week, 73 percent last week

Soybeans (harvested) – 85 percent this week, 80 percent last week

Winter Wheat (planted) – 81 percent this week, 68 percent last week

Winter Wheat (emerged) – 58 percent this week, 48 percent last week

CROP CONDITIONS

Wheat – 4 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 56 percent good and 8 percent excellent

Pasture – 9 percent very poor, 29 percent poor, 43 percent fair, 17 percent good and 2 percent excellent

CATTLE REPORT

Compared to last week, feeder steers under 500 lbs were mostly 3.00-5.00 higher; steers over 500 lbs were steady to 3.00 lower. Feeder heifers were mostly steady to 3.00 lower. Mostly moderate demand was reported throughout the week, with the best demand remaining for preconditioned and long-weaned groups. Slaughter cows were mostly steady, and slaughter bulls were mostly steady to 1.00 higher.

STATE AVERAGES

Steers (M&L 1-2) This Week Prior Week Last Year

300-350 lbs 155.18 150.00 155.80

350-400 lbs 150.98 144.99 155.47

400-450 lbs 148.49 141.33 154.69

450-500 lbs 141.45 139.28 143.98

500-550 lbs 135.85 133.64 140.16

550-600 lbs 133.05 133.16 136.96

600-650 lbs 126.63 130.01 134.79

650-700 lbs 131.28 131.63 130.36

700-750 lbs 119.91 121.64 128.79

750-800 lbs 125.55 122.65 127.03

Heifers (M&L 1-2)

300-350 lbs 122.97 126.42 128.28 230.01

350-400 lbs 123.66 125.75 130.63

400-450 lbs 123.42 121.40 123.69

450-500 lbs 120.23 119.60 124.26

500-550 lbs 116.62 115.59 122.38

550-600 lbs 117.70 115.11 120.45

600-650 lbs 111.67 113.12 116.67

650-700 lbs 118.21 110.67 119.14

700-750 lbs 104.59 104.21 109.04

750-800 lbs 104.77 108.17 110.48

WEELY COW SUMMARY

Slaughter Cows Average High Low

Breakers 41.00-62.50 48.00-60.00 37.00-47.50

Boners 35.00-62.00 47.00-74.50 34.50-45.50

Lean 32.00-45.00 44.00 20.00-35.00

Slaughter Bulls Average High Low

Yield Grade 1’s 62.00-76.00 75.00-81.50 50.00-65.00