Representing a wide variety of music genres, together the 22 different star entertainers scheduled to perform at the 2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have taken home countless music industry honors, including 31 GRAMMY® awards, 88 Academy of Country Music awards and 65 Country Music Association awards.
Tuesday, Feb. 28 – Alabama; Wednesday, Feb. 29* – Armed Forces Appreciation Day – Kid Rock; Thursday, March 1 – Lady Antebellum; Friday, March 2 – Black Heritage Day sponsored by Kroger – John Legend; Saturday, March 3 – Luke Bryan; Sunday, March 4 – Big Time Rush, China Anne McClain from A.N.T Farm, with The McClain Sisters; Monday, March 5 – Eli Young Band; Tuesday, March 6 – Enrique Iglesias; Wednesday, March 7* – Blake Shelton; Thursday, March 8 – ZZ Top; Friday, March 9 – Paint the Rodeo Pink Day – Reba McEntire; Saturday, March 10 – Chris Young; Sunday, March 11 – Go Tejano Day sponsored by State Farm® – Duelo, La Original Banda El Limon; Monday, March 12** – Zac Brown Band; Tuesday, March 13** – Miranda Lambert; Wednesday, March 14* ** – The Band Perry; Thursday, March 15** – Jason Aldean; Friday, March 16** – Train; Saturday, March 17** – RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship – Brad Paisley; Sunday, March 18** – Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout – Alan Jackson presented by Crown Royal.
*Value Day Wednesdays include $10 upper level Rodeo tickets, plus values throughout Reliant Park each Wednesday of the Show. **During Spring Break Stampede, March 12–18, enjoy extended hours at the carnival.
INDIVIDUAL RODEO TICKETS
• Rodeo ticket prices range from $18 to $21, plus Ticketmaster convenience and handling charges (A few performances may have a limited number of tickets available from $24 to $86).
• Upper level seat Value Day Wednesday tickets are $10.
• A limited number of Chute Seats, located directly behind the bucking chutes, is available for $300 and $200, and include food, drinks, and the opportunity to watch the star entertainer from the Reliant Stadium dirt.
• How to purchase individual Rodeo tickets:
• Online at www.rodeohouston.com or www.ticketmaster.com/rodeohouston
• By phone at 1-800-726-1313
• In person at all Ticketmaster locations, including Fiesta and HEB stores
• VISA, MasterCard, Discover (Ticketmaster only) and American Express cards will be accepted online, in person or by phone at 1-800-726-1313.
• Tickets will be available at the Reliant Park Box Office, with no service charge.
SEASON AND MINI-SEASON TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
There is only one sure way to guarantee a seat for all 20 RodeoHouston performances and concerts, and that is with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Season tickets. Season ticket options start as low as $336.
Mini-Season tickets, with seats for nine Rodeo and concert performances in each option, start at $146.
Seating is in the loge and upper levels of Reliant Stadium.
Two package options are available for Mini-Season tickets:
• Option A includes the Feb. 28, March 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 16 performances.
• Option B includes the Feb. 29, March 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 17 and 18 performances.
Black Heritage Day, Friday, March 2, and Go Tejano Day, Sunday, March 11,
are available with the purchase of Season tickets, but are not included in the Mini-Season ticket options.
How to Purchase Season and Mini-Season Tickets
Season and Mini-Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased:
• Online at www.rodeohouston.com
• By calling the Show’s ticket office at 832-667-1080
• By visiting the Show’s ticket windows on the second floor of Reliant Center,
Monday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Season and Mini-Season tickets are NOT available at any other ticket outlet, including Ticketmaster.
Visit www.rodeohouston.com for a Reliant Stadium seating chart and more information.
The Season and Mini-Season ticket costs also include admission to Reliant Center, Reliant Arena and the carnival.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28
8:00 a.m. – Grade All Breeds Range Bulls – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
8:00 a.m. – Weigh and Measure International Brahman Cattle – Reliant Center – Main Arena
10:00 a.m. – Weigh and Measure Simbrah/Simmental – Reliant Center – Back Dock
1:00 p.m. – Maine Anjou Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
1:00 p.m. – Red Angus Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
3:30 p.m. – Hereford/Polled Hereford Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
3:30 p.m. – Shorthorn Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
7:00 p.m. – Simbrah/Simmental Cattle Sale – Reliant Center – East Arena
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29
8:00 a.m. – Simbrah Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
8:00 a.m. – Angus Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
8:00 a.m. – Youth Dairy Goat Showmanship – Reliant Center – East Arena (East side)
8:00 a.m. – Youth Boer Goat Showmanship – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
9:00 a.m. – Youth Dairy Goat Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (East side)
9:00 a.m. – Youth Boer Goat Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
11:30 a.m. – Braunvieh Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
12:00 noon – 45th Annual All Breed Commercial Range Bull Sale – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
12:30 p.m. – Simmental Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
1:00 p.m. – Weigh and Measure Brangus – Reliant Center – Back Dock
3:30 p.m. – International Dairy Goat Congress – Reliant Center – Rooms 202-203
5:00 p.m. – American Red Brangus Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
5:00 p.m. – Charolais Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
6:30 p.m. – International Brahman Cattle Sale – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
THURSDAY, MARCH 1
8:00 a.m. – Brahman Show (Females) – Reliant Center – Main Arena
8:00 a.m. – Open Dairy Goat Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (East side)
8:00 a.m. – Open Boer Goat Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
7:00 p.m. –Beefmaster Promotional Group Haltered Sale – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
FRIDAY, MARCH 2
8:00 a.m. – Brahman Show (Bulls) – Reliant Center – Main Arena
8:00 a.m. – Grade All Breeds Commercial Females – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
10:00 a.m. – Youth Meat Pen Show – Reliant Arena – Hall B
Cattlemen’s Appreciation Days Educational Program:
10:00 a.m. – What Every 21st Century Cattle Producer Should Know – Reliant Arena – Sales Pavilion
1:00 p.m. – Improving Cattle Handling and Animal Welfare, Dr. Temple Grandin – Reliant Arena – Sales Pavilion
2:00 p.m. – Beefmaster Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
2:00 p.m. – International Brangus Show (Bulls) – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
7:30 p.m. – Educational Seminar: Animal Behavior, Autism and Sensory Based Thinking –
Dr. Temple Grandin – Reliant Center – Main Arena
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
8:00 a.m. – Junior Breeding Gilt Show – Reliant Center – East Arena
8:00 a.m. – Braford Weigh and Measure – Reliant Center – Back Dock
8:00 a.m. – Youth Rabbit Show – Reliant Arena – Hall B
12:00 Noon – 45th Annual All Breeds Commercial Female Sale – Reliant Arena – Sales Pavilion
12:30 p.m. – International Brangus Show (Females) – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
2:30 p.m. – Braford Cattle Sale – Reliant Center – East Arena
5:00 p.m. – Santa Gertrudis Cattle Sale – Reliant Center – East Arena
7:30 p.m. – International Brangus Association Sale – Reliant Center – East Arena
SUNDAY, MARCH 4
8:00 a.m. – Santa Gertrudis Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
8:00 a.m. – Limousin Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
8:00 a.m. – Junior Breeding Sheep Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
8:00 a.m. – Youth Rabbit Show – Reliant Arena – Hall B
9:00 a.m. – Open Breeding Sheep Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
11:00 a.m. – Braford Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
12:30 p.m. – Weigh and Grade Junior Commercial Steers – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
1:30 p.m. – Open Texas Longhorn Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
3:00 p.m. – Texas Longhorn Trophy Steer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
7:00 p.m. – Lowline Angus Cattle Sale – Reliant Center – East Arena
MONDAY, MARCH 5
8:00 a.m. – Youth Texas Longhorn Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
8:00 a.m. – Lowline Angus Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
3:00 p.m. – Junior Commercial Steer Sale – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
TUESDAY, MARCH 6
8:00 a.m. – Miniature Hereford Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7
8:00 a.m. – Open and Youth Dexter Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East side)
8:00 a.m. – Miniature Zebu Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
10:30 a.m. – Texas Wagyu Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (West side)
THURSDAY, MARCH 8
8:00 a.m. – Junior Market Lamb and Goat Opening Ceremonies – Reliant Center – East Arena
8:30 a.m. – Junior Market Lamb Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (East side)
8:30 a.m. – Junior Market Goat Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
FRIDAY, MARCH 9
8:00 a.m. – Calf Scramble Heifer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
8:00 a.m. – Junior Market Lamb Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (East side)
8:00 a.m. – Junior Market Goat Show – Reliant Center – East Arena (West side)
10:00 a.m. – Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East
– Maine Anjou, ARB, Beefmaster; West – Hereford, Polled Hereford, ORB)
7:30 p.m. – Junior Market Lamb and Goat Champion Selection – Reliant Center – East Arena
SATURDAY, MARCH 10
8:00 a.m. – Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (East –
Santa Gertrudis, Limousin, Brangus; West – Shorthorn, Red Angus, Angus)
9:00 a.m. – Open Breeding Rabbit and Cavy Show – Reliant Arena – Hall B
12:00 Noon – Junior Market Lamb & Goat Auction – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
SUNDAY, MARCH 11
8:00 a.m. – Junior Breeding Heifer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
(East – Red Brangus, Charolais, Simmental; West – Grey Brahman, Red Brahman, Simbrah)
8:00 a.m. – Classify and Show Junior Market Barrows – Reliant Center – East Arena
(Show A: Hampshire, Duroc and Berkshire)
3:30 p.m. – Supreme Champion Heifer Drive – Reliant Center – Main Arena
(or upon completion of Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show)
MONDAY, MARCH 12
8:00 a.m. – Classify and Show Junior Market Barrows – Reliant Center – East Arena
(Show B: Poland China, Spotted and Dark Crossbred)
TUESDAY, MARCH 13
5:00 p.m. – Calf Scramble Steer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
8 a.m. – Junior Market Steer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
(Simmental, Charolais, Brangus, Santa Gertrudis, Brahman, Simbrah and ABC)
8 a.m. – Junior Market Barrow Show – Reliant Center – East Arena
(Show C: Yorkshire, Chester White & OPB, Light Weight Other Crossbred)
THURSDAY, MARCH 15
8:00 a.m. – Market Steer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
(AOB, Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Polled Hereford and Shorthorn)
8:00 a.m. – Classify and Show Junior Market Barrows – Reliant Center – East Arena (Show D: Other Crossbred)
FRIDAY, MARCH 16
8:00 a.m. – Junior Market Steer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena (Chianina, Maine Anjou and Limousin)
12:00 Noon – Junior Market Barrow Auction – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
6:00 p.m. – Junior Market Steer Pre-Judging – Reliant Center – Main Arena
8:30 p.m. – Junior Market Steer Champion – Selection Reliant Stadium
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
12:00 Noon – Junior Market Steer Auction – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
SUNDAY, MARCH 18
12:00 Noon – Calf Scramble Dairy Heifer Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
12:30 p.m. – Open & Junior Dairy Show – Reliant Center – Main Arena
Tuesday, February 28
7:00 p.m. - Simbrah/Simmental Cattle Sale - Reliant Center - East Arena
Wednesday, FEBRUARY 29
12:00 noon - 45th Annual All Breeds Commercial Range Bull Sale - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
6:30 p.m. - International Brahman Cattle Sale - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
7:00 p.m. - Beefmaster Promotional Group Haltered Sale - Reliant Center - East Arena
Friday, March 2
2:00 p.m. - Ranching & Wildlife Expo Auction - Reliant Center - Main Club
Saturday, March 3
12:00 noon - 45th Annual All Breeds Commercial Female Sale - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
2:30 p.m. - Braford Cattle Sale - Reliant Center - East Arena
4:30 p.m. - Santa Gertrudis Cattle Sale - Reliant Center - East Arena
7:30 p.m. - International Brangus Cattle Sale - Reliant Center - East Arena
Sunday, March 4
7:30 p.m. - Lowline Angus Cattle Sale - Reliant Center - East Arena
Monday, March 5
3:00 p.m. - Junior Commercial Steer Sale - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
Saturday, March 10
12:00 noon - Junior Market Lamb & Goat Auction - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
Friday, March 16
12:00 noon - Junior Market Barrow Auction - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
Saturday, March 17
12:00 noon - Junior Market Steer Auction - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
By Del Deterling
Progressive Farmer Contributing Editor
It’s been four years since Covey Neatherlin watched a pipeline company cut a mile-long, 60-foot-wide swath through his 200-acre farm to bury a 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline 4 feet underground. But there is still a distinct catch in his voice as he recalls the scene.
“Why did they have to take the trees?” he laments, shaking his head.
Using the power of eminent domain, the company swept directly through an 80-acre orchard of pecan trees that Neatherlin had planted and nurtured for more than 45 years. Adding insult to injury, the company refused to pay compensation for the trees, only for the easement through his property. A previous court ruling, company lawyers informed Neatherlin, set a precedent that a condemning authority did not have to pay compensation for removal of trees.
“These were not ordinary trees. I spent sweat and blood for many years to develop them,” Neatherlin argues. The trees were not only his pride and joy, but they also represented his retirement income.
Located near Waller, Texas, an easy 25-minute drive northwest of the booming Houston city limits, Neatherlin had deliberately spaced his trees far enough apart in anticipation that someday the land could be subdivided for housing.
“The pipeline company could easily have gone between the rows without taking out any trees. There was plenty of room,” he maintains. Instead, they brought in a chipping machine and ground 100 of his best trees into sawdust.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE. Eminent domain has long been a bone of contention for agricultural landowners. Eminent domain gives a public entity the right to acquire private property for public purposes, such as highways, utility lines and recreation areas. In many cases, the land is totally lost to agricultural production. In other cases, management efficiency is reduced because the property is split in half or because of restrictions on fencing, irrigation and cultivation.
Several large pipelines have been constructed or are being proposed to transport oil produced from shale in Canada to Gulf Coast refineries. At the same time, natural gas—which is plentiful in the South — is being moved via pipelines for underground storage in depleted oil and gas fields in the Midwest, nearer to large consumption centers.
“If you have a highway running through your property, you may have to travel several miles to an underpass to move equipment or cattle from one side of your farm to the other,” says Ned Meister, with the Texas Farm Bureau. He considers eminent domain the organization’s top issue.
Not all condemnation proceedings are bad for agriculture. In Minnesota, Ron Ringquist, a certified land appraiser, deals with drainage code issues. Public drainage districts have the right to use eminent domain to construct drainage systems to benefit growers in a given area, with the costs prorated among the farmers receiving the benefits.
In Michigan, Clint Stoutenburg worries about lost efficiency. International Transmission Co. (ITC) is threatening to build a high-voltage power line that will cut a 200-foot-wide right-of-way more than four miles diagonally through one of the farms he operates with his father Al in the state’s Thumb area. ITC will erect 100-foot-high towers every 900 feet —about six per mile.
“We use a 48-row planter, two 100-foot-wide sprayers and an 18-row corn head. We’re going to switch to a 40-foot flex head this year,” Stoutenburg says. “We’re going to lose a lot of efficiency navigating around those towers.”
AGAINST THE ODDS. Agricultural landowners complain the deck is stacked against them because of the difficulty and cost of fighting against government lawyers.
Neatherlin’s attorney — to whom he had paid a $10,000 retainer fee —recommended Neatherlin take the pipeline company’s offer rather than fight it in court.
“With all the company’s high-powered lawyers, he said they could tie me up in court for years,” Neatherlin says.
“Landowners seldom win the argument that the entity does not have the right to condemn land. They can only plead for just compensation,” says Rich Krause, with the American Farm Bureau Federation. “The condemning entity usually starts out with a low-ball offer. Then it is up to the landowner to try to get fair compensation.”
ITC has yet to make an offer to Stoutenburg. He’s heard rumors that they’re offering $6,000 an acre. “Poor land is selling for that in the Thumb area,” he scoffs. “We’re in a high-rent area.”
Attorney Alan Ackerman, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., who represents property owners in eminent domain cases, reports a major expansion in eminent domain proceedings in recent years involving electric transmission lines and gas pipelines. Clint Stoutenburg is one of his clients.
“My firm probably handled fewer than 50 eminent domain cases involving electric transmission lines during my first 35 years of practice,” he says. “During the past three years, we’ve had at least 130.”
A newer wrinkle in eminent domain law is condemnation of land for private use. The U.S. Supreme Court created considerable controversy in 2005 when it ruled in Kelo versus City of New London that private property could be condemned for private commercial development.
In the minds of many landowners and farmland protection advocates, that decision vastly expanded how state and local governments could interpret what constitutes “public use” when using eminent domain to condemn private property.
But many states have acted to restrict how the law can be used when private developers seek to condemn property. According to the Institute for Justice, in the wake of the Kelo ruling, 43 states have enacted reforms that, to varying degrees, restrict the power of government to seize private property for private development; 22 states passed legislation that effectively prevents abuse of eminent domain for private gain.
If You’re Targeted for Condemnation
Attorney Alan Ackerman, of Ackerman & Dynkowski, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., offers steps you should take if your land is targeted for condemnation.
Seek out the services of an attorney with previous experience in handling eminent domain issues.
Do not discuss any issues pertaining to the value of your property with anyone without first consulting with your attorney.
Do not supply copies of leases, expense records, profit and loss statements, or similar documents to anyone without your attorney’s consent.
Get an appraisal of your property from an experienced appraiser.
Do not make any changes in the operation of your property that may change its value during the eminent domain proceedings without consulting counsel. This includes obtaining building permits or variances, or applying for real estate tax assessment reductions.
Do not permit anyone to conduct any tests, such as borings, explorations for hazardous waste or test wells for a water supply, without written agreements that you or your attorney will receive copies of all test reports.
Choose A Knowledgeable Attorney
Eminent domain proceedings tend to be complicated. Rest assured, the entity that wants to take or have access to part of your property has experts in land-valuation issues. If you plan to challenge their right to take a portion of your property, you probably need to hire an experienced attorney to assist you.
What should you look for when hiring an attorney? Here are some suggestions from several attorneys and University specialists.
Qualifications. How much experience has he or she had handling eminent domain cases? How many eminent domain cases has he handled and what type, how many has he taken to trial and appealed, and what has been his track record?
Commitment. Is your attorney committed to looking out for your best interests? Be cautious of attorneys who have been on both sides of the fence in the past—representing the landowner in some cases and the condemning entity in others. They may be reluctant to antagonize the clients of a future case if they are too aggressive in defending you.
Fees. Get an estimate on the approximate total cost for the attorney’s services. Does he have a set fee schedule, or does he charge by the hour? What about other charges, such as appraisal costs?
Texas 21,500. 96 pct over 600 lbs. 55 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 FOB 650 lbs 157.50; 700-725 lbs 153.00-158.00; 750-775 lbs 149.00-153.95; 800-850 lbs 146.00-151.00; 850 lbs 143.00. Delivered 700 lbs 158.25; 780 lbs 153.25. Future FOB Price 600-700 lbs 161.50-165.20 May-Jun; 750-775 lbs 154.50 May; 850 lbs 148.00 May. 750-800 lbs 153.00-156.50 Mar-Apr; 800 lbs 154.25 Jun. Medium and Large 1-2 FOB 800 lbs 148.00-148.60. Delivered 600 lbs 150.00; 700-800 lbs 148.00-156.50; 825 lbs 148.25. Future 800 lbs 150.20 Apr. Delivered 700-800 lbs 158.00-161.60 Apr-May. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 FOB 600 lbs 150.00; 700-800 lbs 142.00-148.50. Future Delivery 600-700 lbs 152.65-156.00 May; 700-800 lbs 142.00-153.10 Mar-Jun. Delivered 600-700 lbs 153.65-158.75 May; 700-750 lbs 149.80-157.25 Apr-Aug. Medium and Large 1-2 FOB Price 820 lbs 134.00. Delivered 675 lbs 145.00; 725 lbs 142.00-146.50. Future Delivery Delivered Price 625 lbs 155.50 Apr.
Oklahoma 3700. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 67 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 current load 700 lbs 155.00; load 750 lbs 151.00; 800-850 lbs (819) 146.94; load 775 lbs 151.00 Mar; load 775 lbs 154.00 Apr; several loads 850 lbs 148.70 Jun; several loads 775 lbs 151.70 Jul. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 current load 685 lbs 144.00; several loads 700 lbs 144.50; several loads 700 lbs 153.26 may; several loads 700 lbs 151.83 Jun; several loads 850 lbs 137.0 Jun; 700-750 lbs (713) 150.75 Jul; several loads 700 lbs 152.75 Aug.
New Mexico. 450. 100 pct over 600 lbs. No heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 FOB Basis: Current Delivery: string 600 lbs 168.60; string 700 lbs 155.60; load 750 lbs 152.60.
Kansas 7300. 93 pct over 600 lbs. 34 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 725 lbs 153.00; 775-800 lbs 150.00-152.00; 800-850 lbs 147.75-149.00; 850 lbs 145.00-149.00. Delivered: 755 lbs 158.27. Future 625 lbs 169.50 May-Jun; 850 lbs 151.00 Jun. Medium and Large 1-2 700 lbs 151.00; 775 lbs 147.00-149.00; 825-850 lbs 144.50-145.00. Delivered 750-800 lbs 148.00-150.75. Future delivery 775 lbs 154.00 Jul. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 625 lbs 150.00; 750 lbs 140.00-143.00. Future delivery 600-625 lbs 155.50-156.75 May; 650 lbs 153.60-154.25 May. Future delivery 850 lbs 140.00 Jun; 700-725 lbs 148.50-149.00 Jul; 650 lbs 149.50 Jul-Aug.
(F-S) National feeder cattle receipts: 226,400. Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to $3 higher with the full advance noted in the Southern Plains and the Mountain States. The Northern Plains were only steady with some areas actually showing weakness off of some of the highest feeder prices in the nation. Stocker cattle and calves traded $3-7 higher once again with orders pouring into the Southeastern calf markets as we creep ever so closer to grass time from this unprecedented mild winter. This time last year a huge winter storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow across the Midwest with actual temperatures as much as 30 degrees below zero, closing major auction markets throughout the area. Feedlot bound cattle seem to be nearing a price ceiling as the fed cattle market has stalled-out and packers have cut kills to limit their immediate needs. Recent weeks have seen the lightest non-holiday week cattle slaughter since March of 2009, when a late season snowstorm caused plant closings. Stocker buyers do not seem to be feeling the high market pressure as new orders for calves roll-in each week. Inexpensive weight gains on early spring forage offer the ability for grass interests to cheapen these cattle back into a reasonable profit margin. Thin-fleshed stockers with enough age to take full advantage of early season grass can easily yield gains from 50-60 cents a pound which is more than $1/lb cheaper than that pound is worth. Hence, it won’t take long for a 5 weight steer costing near $200 to reclaim the $158 that is presently being advertised by the summer CME Feeder Board. Major grazing areas in Oklahoma and Kansas continue to receive moisture and grazing prospects are fairly bright. Calf buyers were optimistic at the Torrington, WY Livestock Commission on Wednesday with over 5300 head on offer. Over 750 head of top quality 5 weight steers averaged 552 lbs at $197.61 with another 270 head flagged as fancy averaging 543 lbs at $203.78. An additional 500 head of fancy light-6 weight steers averaged 613 lbs at $186.68. Friday’s fed cattle trade was similar to this week’s feeder cattle market with the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma feedlots selling $1 higher at $124, while Kansas and the Northern Plains were steady to $1 lower from $123.00-123.50 live and $197-198 dressed. This week’s reported auction volume had 53 percent over 600 lbs and 42 percent heifers.
Texas 7000. 40 pct over 600 lbs. 51 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 200-250 lbs (229) 237.98; 250-300 lbs (285) 235.92; 300-350 lbs (329) 225.93; 350-400 lbs (369) 217.36; 400-450 lbs (419) 208.63; 450-500 lbs (469) 190.37; 500-550 lbs (519) 179.06; 550-600 lbs (577) 175.78; 600-650 lbs (618) 163.49; 650-700 lbs (672) 160.49; 700-750 lbs (729) 155.75; 750-800 lbs (778) 148.22; 800-850 lbs (816) 850-900 lbs (879) 140.01; pkg 910 lbs 137.50; pkg 960 lbs 140.50. Medium and Large 1-2 200-250 lbs (228) 220.73; 250-300 lbs (273) 218.63; 300-350 lbs (325) 204.88; 350-400 lbs (415) 194.72; 450-500 lbs (479) 181.78; 500-550 lbs (526) 166.78; 550-600 lbs (571) 169.71; 600-650 lbs (620) 158.00; 650-700 lbs (682) 151.85. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 200-250 lbs (233) 216.60; 300-350 lbs (316) 200.90; 350-400 lbs (364) 197.33; 400-450 lbs (421) 188.59; 450-500 lbs (471) 176.96; 500-550 lbs (527) 163.41; 550-600 lbs (570) 159.75; 600-650 lbs (631) 147.98; 650-700 lbs (675) 147.55; 700-750 lbs (718) 141.87; 750-800 lbs (780) 141.65; pkg 895 lbs 132.75. Medium and Large 1-2 250-300 lbs (267) 194.62; 300-350 lbs (332) 190.90; 350-400 lbs (369) 186.30; 400-450 lbs (405) 190.73; 450-500 lbs (489) 160.93; 500-550 lbs (538) 155.38; 550-600 lbs (592) 148.36; 600-650 lbs (617) 153.24; 650-700 lbs (665) 142.88; 700-750 lbs (729) 137.54; 800-850 lbs (845) 131.40.
Oklahoma 19,800. 60 pct over 600 lbs. 41 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 200-250 lbs (215) 233.94; 250-300 lbs (293) 232.43; 300-350 lbs (325) 223.44; 350-400 lbs (376) 213.69; 400-450 lbs (425) 207.98; 450-500 lbs (469) 198.15; 500-550 lbs (522) 187.12; 550-600 lbs (577) 177.60; 600-650 lbs (622) 166.63; 650-700 lbs (675) 159.27; 700-750 lbs (725) 156.31; 750-800 lbs (772) 153.28; 800-850 lbs (824) 147.74; 850-900 lbs (868) 143.54; 900-950 lbs (928) 136.61; 950-1000 lbs (981) 134.67; 1000-1050 lbs (1014) 131.53. Medium and Large 1-2 350-400 lbs (379) 195.13; 400-450 lbs (432) 197.61; 450-500 lbs (481) 191.39; 500-550 lbs (528) 173.24; 550-600 lbs (584) 170.52; 600-650 lbs (622) 154.96; 650-700 lbs (679) 158.22; 700-750 lbs (733) 149.92; 750-800 lbs (776) 146.01; 800-850 lbs (820) 143.32; 850-900 lbs (875) 138.25; 900-950 lbs (914) 134.68; 950-1000 lbs (967) 136.42. Holsteins: Large 3 pkg 440 lbs 123.50; pkg 545 lbs 118.50; 750-800 lbs (763) 114.31; 850-900 lbs (867) 103.82. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 200-250 lbs (244) 213.00; 300-350 lbs (321) 191.64; 350-400 lbs (369) 180.85; 400-450 lbs (422) 450-500 lbs (475) 169.13; 500-550 lbs (526) 164.06; 550-600 lbs (573) 156.47; 600-650 lbs (622) 149.73; 650-700 lbs (676) 146.64; 700-750 lbs (728) 143.51; 750-800 lbs (767) 140.81; 800-850 lbs (823) 133.62; 850-900 lbs (874) 129.92; 900-950 lbs (913) 126.70; 950-1000 lbs (965) 125.51. Medium and Large 1-2 300-350 lbs (342) 172.03; 350-400 lbs (370) 175.17; 400-450 lbs (425) 170.79; 450-500 lbs (471) 500-550 lbs (519) 159.02; 550-600 lbs (576) 151.33; 600-650 lbs (631) 147.59; 650-700 lbs (679) 142.91; 700-750 lbs (727) 139.51; 750-800 lbs (784) 133.70; 800-850 lbs (819) 128.34; pkg 860 lbs 122.00.
New Mexico 4300. 27 pct over 600 lbs. 43 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 200-250 lbs (242) 219.53; 250-300 lbs (279) 219.72; 300-350 lbs (324) 211.53; 350-400 lbs (371) 206.85; 400-450 lbs (425) 198.63, value added 207.48; 450-500 lbs (475) 185.13, value added 194.63; 500-550 lbs (522) 178.94; 550-600 lbs (569) 167.70; 600-650 lbs (619) 164.44; 650-700 lbs (660) 157.95; 700-750 lbs (714) 154.42; 750-800 lbs (782) 147.40. Medium and Large 1 200-250 lbs (238) 211.58; 250-300 lbs (280) 219.35; 300-350 lbs (334) 191.58; 350-400 lbs (380) 191.05; 400-450 lbs (428) 188.56; 450-500 lbs (481) 173.45; 500-550 lbs (512) 168.43; 550-600 lbs (566) 157.39; 650-700 lbs (692) 155.70. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 200-250 lbs (234) 204.39; 350-300 lbs (266) 196.76; 300-350 lbs (318) 181.35; 350-400 lbs (372) 181.89; 400-450 lbs (420) 171.69; 450-500 lbs (468) 164.01; 500-550 lbs (520) 158.42, value added 168.50; 550-600 lbs (575) 150.77; 600-650 lbs (603) 149.90; 650-700 lbs (679) 140.03; 700-750 lbs (717) 136.80; 450-800 lbs (772) 127.85. Medium and Large 1-2 250-300 lbs (276) 180.19; 300-350 lbs (328) 178.72; 350-400 lbs (364) 173.06; 400-450 lbs (408) 171.07; 450-500 lbs (471) 162.21; 500-550 lbs (529) 153.22; 550-600 lbs (578) 136.25; 650-700 lbs (671) 128.16.
Kansas 9000. 88 pct over 600 lbs. 42 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 400-450 lbs (415) 208.97; 500-550 lbs (533) 185.46; Value Added 500-550 lbs (526) 200.91; 550-600 lbs (578) 179.64; 600-650 lbs (620) 169.52; 650-700 lbs (676) 159.34; Load Value Added 656 lbs 173.85; 700-750 lbs (727) 155.74; 750-800 lbs (783) 153.26; 800-900 lbs (828) 149.09; 850-900 lbs (877) 145.24; 900-950 lbs (914) 141.09; 950-1000 lbs (954) 136.95. Medium and Large 1-2 550-600 lbs (577) 165.75; 600-650 lbs (640) 157.10; 650-700 lbs (692) 151.47; 700-750 lbs (720) 146.09; 750-800 lbs (780) 149.91; 800-850 lbs (829) 144.01; 850-900 lbs (878) 144.39; 900-950 lbs (931) 135.43; 950-1000 lbs (954) 130.79. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 400-450 lbs (443) 175.72; 450-500 lbs (469) 171.27; 500-550 lbs (540) 159.43; Fancy 500-550 lbs (527) 168.57; 550-600 lbs (566) 161.27; 600-650 lbs (628) 150.95; 650-700 lbs (672) 147.95; 700-750 lbs (725) 144.88; 750-800 lbs (769) 139.36; 800-850 lbs (819) 136.68; 850-900 lbs (887) 134.25; 900-950 lbs (909) 134.01. Medium and Large 1-2 450-500 lbs (488) 170.25; 500-550 lbs (531) 160.06; 550-600 lbs (578) 152.36; 600-650 lbs (618) 147.43; 650-700 lbs (676) 144.44; 700-750 lbs (731) 140.12; 750-800 lbs (785) 133.64; 800-850 lbs (816) 134.42; 850-900 lbs (881) 130.64.
Missouri 32,300. 60 pct over 600 lbs. 42 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 300-350 lbs (333) 211.54; 350-400 lbs (378) 203.68; 400-450 lbs (423) 199.38; 450-500 lbs (476) 191.49; 500-550 lbs (524) 184.76; 550-600 lbs (575) 176.94; 600-650 lbs (627) 167.72; Calves 600-650 lbs (618) 168.80; 650-700 lbs (668) 163.93; 700-750 lbs (723) 157.14; 750-800 lbs (769) 152.17; 800-850 lbs (824) 148.25; 850-900 lbs (872) 143.35; 900-950 lbs (910) 140.02; 950-1000 lbs (976) 133.95. Medium and Large 1-2 300-350 lbs (329) 201.22; 350-400 lbs (381) 195.49; 400-450 lbs (426) 188.00; 450-500 lbs (478) 183.51; 500-550 lbs (524) 178.40; 550-600 lbs (569) 169.71; 600-650 lbs (626) 160.47; 650-700 lbs (670) 152.63; 700-750 lbs (727) 150.67; 750-800 lbs (779) 148.42; 800-850 lbs (826) 144.75; 850-900 lbs (875) 137.55. Holsteins: Large 3 550-600 lbs (584) 115.60; 600-650 lbs (620) 112.85; 650-700 lbs (675) 111.93; load 783 lbs 108.25; 800-850 lbs (829) 106.76. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 300-350 lbs (328) 183.76; 350-400 lbs (378) 179.95; 400-450 lbs (423) 173.46; 450-500 lbs (475) 166.70; 500-550 lbs (522) 162.90; 550-600 lbs (576) 157.01; 600-650 lbs (621) 153.69; 650-700 lbs (671) 149.02; 700-750 lbs (725) 144.05; 750-800 lbs (773) 139.56; 800-850 lbs (827) 135.06; 850-900 lbs (869) 133.17. Medium and Large 1-2 300-350 lbs (329) 167.37; 350-400 lbs (383) 170.22; 400-450 lbs (425) 166.73; 450-500 lbs (474) 159.52; 500-550 lbs (529) 155.06; 550-600 lbs (574) 149.45; 600-650 lbs (628) 146.27; 650-700 lbs (672) 143.82; 700-750 lbs (724) 139.41; 750-800 lbs (769) 139.77; 800-850 lbs (819) 136.95; 850-900 lbs (867) 121.87.
Arkansas 8400. 28 pct over 600 lbs. 46 pct heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 300-350 lbs (321) 213.74; 350-400 lbs (377) 204.47; 400-450 lbs (423) 196.08; 450-500 lbs (472) 185.57; 500-550 lbs (521) 178.08; 550-600 lbs (569) 167.05; 600-650 lbs (621) 158.83; 650-700 lbs (667) 152.43. Heifers: Medium and Large 1 300-350 lbs (326) 179.57; 350-400 lbs (378) 173.01; 400-450 lbs (422) 167.10; 450-500 lbs (473) 162.15; 500-550 lbs (523) 156.89; 550-600 lbs (571) 148.80; 600-650 lbs (624) 143.24; 650-700 lbs (670) 139.80.