Mississippi Cattlemen's Association

Sale of Jr. Champs Record

Last week's Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions set a new record with total sales of $369,150; surpassing its previous best by over $52,000.
Since its inception, the sale has totaled $5.5M for animals and awarded over $600,000 in scholarships.
Our thanks go to Southern AgCredit for donating their champion steer to MCA.

Merck's Ralgro Program

MCA President Price Wallace and Jacob Megehee accept a check from Merck Field Representative Danny Jones. The $2,093 was made possible by the Ralgro Wheels for Bucks project.
This is the third year Merck has made a similar contribution to the Association.

Top Steakhouse Announcement

At tomorrow night's performance of the Dixie National Rodeo, the winner of the Best Steak in Mississippi Contest will be announced.
If you can't attend, watch the live broadcast on your computer by going to the Wrangler Network (www.wranglernetwork.com) starting at 7:00 p.m.

CattleWomen's Scholarships

Recipients of the Mississippi CattleWomen's Association scholarships are, from left, Pate DeMuth, Justin Milner, Carly Stocks, Whit Kendall, Hannah Foster and Lauren DeMuth.

2014 MCA Officers

Steering Committee members are: President Price Wallace, First Vice President Dr. Harold Newcomb, Second Vice President Paul Whitlock, Past President Steve Elgin and Past President Jacob Megehee.

Area Vice Presidents
1      Paul Summers
2      David Beane
3      Charles Vance
4      Eldon Dean
5      Danny Martin
6      Jeff Davis
7      Jim Farmer
8      Greg Crosby
9      Shawn Mercer
10   Mike Mitchell

Another Top 10 Restaurant

David Houston, left, presents the "Top 10" plaque to Gary May, manager of Como Steakhouse as a finalist in the Best Steak in Mississippi Contest.
The overall winner will be announced tomorrow night at the Dixie National Rodeo.

FARMtastic

Over 400 third graders toured FARMtastic on the State Fairgrounds last Friday and during the open house on Saturday, large crowds in town for the Dixie National Parade and Rodeo came through the exhibit.
Event sponsors included: Natural Resources Conservation Service, First South Farm Credit, Dixie National Queens, Mississippi Forestry Association, SUDIA, The Catfish Institute, Museum of Natural Science, Soil Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Farm Families of Mississippi, Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce, Agriculture & Forestry Museum and from Mississippi State University - Extension Service, Animal & Dairy Sciences, Forestry, Poultry Science and Wildlife & Fisheries.

Beef Barn on the Midway
Beef Barn14

The Beef Barn will reopen Friday through Sunday for the Dixie National Quarter Horse Show.
Stop by the Beef Barn for a great Steak Sandwich, Beefburger or Hot Beef Sundae.
To volunteer for the final weekend, contact Teri at the MCA office, 601-354-8951.

2.10.14

Cattle Market
Notes

Dr. John Michael Riley

February 7, 2014

Cash Cattle:

Cash cattle and beef prices fell further as weak beef prices provided plenty of pressure. The five-area live fed steer price ended Friday at $140.56, down $5.24 compared to last Friday. Cash trade was light for most of the week with sales in the Southern Plains not registering enough to call any trends. Limited trade in Nebraska and the Western Cornbelt had live and dressed cattle at $140.50-$141 and $225, respectively.
The sale in Oklahoma City was small this week due to more winter weather (3,394 total receipts compared to 8,974 last week). All calves and feeders were called steady. Mississippi auction markets experienced a similar trend as steer and heifer calves and feeders were mostly steady across the board. On the other hand, cull cows and bulls were up quite a bit, respectively $1-$4 higher and $1-$3 higher.

Futures:
In keeping pace with the underlying cash prices, nearby futures prices (Feb and Apr) slid just a bit this week, but deferred contract months moved slightly higher. The weakness in the cash markets have weighed heavy on futures. Also, the sour economic picture that has been forming the past couple of weeks has done little to help and keeps a dark cloud over potential growth in beef demand. Spring feeder contracts were down this week, as was the August contract but the rest of the fall contracts were slightly higher. Corn prices were fairly strong this week putting pressure on feeder purchases.
Corn futures were higher this week ahead of Monday's supply and demand report. Trade took the headlines early in the week as an undisclosed order surfaced, but this was offset later in the week as a shipment (assumed to be for China delivery) was cancelled. South American production estimates also started to filter into the market with both Argentina and Brazil expected to have smaller crops in this month's report. Look for a post on Monday detailing the USDA's numbers.

Beef:

Beef prices rose quickly to catch the hot fed market and have now fallen just as fast. Choice boxed beef finished with a weekly average of $216.30, down $15.68. Select averaged $215.35, down $15.81.

Calendar

February

11 Noxubee CCA

13 Calhoun CCA

18 Central Producer
Advisory Council, Raymond

20 NW Producer Advisory
Council, Verona

Mississippi Cattlemen's Association members can Save at these participating sponsors.