TDA Market Recap, July 7, 2014

Source: Texas Department of Agriculture
For the week ending July 5, 2014, Texas auctions quoted feeder cattle prices mostly steady to $5 higher per hundredweight (cwt) in a very light market test. Many locations were closed for the week for the July 4 holiday. Texas direct feeder cattle prices were $1 to $4 higher with the average for steers for current delivery setting new record highs. Fed cattle cash prices were up nearly $4 to a new record high of $158 per cwt. Wholesale beef values were $3 to $4 higher per cwt to also set new record highs. Prices throughout the beef complex continue to find strong support from the very tight cattle supplies and robust domestic demand across the sector. Beef export sales for the week totaled 5,700 metric tons (MT), the lowest weekly total of the marketing year, which was down 67 percent from the previous week and 60 percent below the prior four-week average. Export shipments of 14,100 MT were down nine percent from the previous week and unchanged from the average.
Cotton prices were lower as markets adjusted to higher than expected cotton plantings. In addition, rainfall on the Texas High Plains, generally-favorable growing conditions across the Cotton Belt and projections of higher global supplies continued to pressure prices. However, the ongoing drought means timely rains will still be needed to support the crop, and there were concerns about a weak monsoon season in India. Export data was mixed. Cotton old-crop export sales for the 2013-14 marketing year totaled 34,900 bales, more than nine times higher than last week’s dismal marketing year low, but down 58 percent from the prior four-week average. New-crop sales for the 2014-15 marketing year were 59,700 bales, more than double the previous week, but down 37 percent from the average. Export shipments totaling 170,600 bales were up 35 percent from a week earlier, 14 percent higher than the average and higher than the weekly total needed to meet USDA projections for the marketing year.
Wheat prices were lower as increasing harvest-time supplies, large global inventories and weak demand continue to pressure the market. Harvest delays on the U.S. Southern Plains and quality concerns were more than offset by favorable conditions elsewhere in the world. Wheat export sales totaled 567,500 MT, up 58 percent from the previous week. Shipments of 335,500 MT were down 43 percent from a week earlier.
Corn and grain sorghum prices were lower as overall crop conditions continue to favor a large corn crop this year. Export data was mixed, with stronger sales, but weaker shipments. Corn export sales for the old-crop 2013-14 marketing year totaled 290,700 MT, up 14 percent from the previous week, but down 12 percent from the prior four-week average. New-crop sales of 474,700 MT were double the previous week and four times higher than the average. Export shipments totaled 905,500 MT, down 16 percent from a week earlier and 18 percent below the average.
Parts of East, Central and North Texas, the Rolling Plains, South Plains and Panhandle recorded one-half inch or more of rainfall, while little or no rain fell elsewhere in the state. Last week’s U.S. Drought Monitor showed another very slight improvement in overall conditions in Texas, with 87 percent of the state rated in some degree of drought or abnormal dryness, down from 89 percent a week ago. The areas in severe to exceptional drought remained near unchanged, but areas in moderate drought declined as abnormally dry areas expanded. Much of East and Southwest Texas remain drought-free. Nationally, the total area experiencing abnormal dryness or some degree of drought declined slightly to 44 percent of the contiguous states.
Additional information on agricultural weather, crop progress and agricultural markets can be found on the TDA Market News page.

MBF = thousand board feet.
All cash prices above are market averages for locations covered by the USDA Market News program and do not reflect any particular sale at any specific location. Feeder cattle prices are for Texas direct sales of 650-850 pound medium and large No.1 steers for current delivery. Futures prices are quoted for the nearest month contract on the last trading day of the week. Timber prices are from the Texas A&M Forest Service, bimonthly “Texas Timber Price Trends.”
For additional information, contact TDA at 800-835-5832 or visit www.TexasAgriculture.gov