Retail pork prices set an all-time high in April at $4.32 per lb, up 3.8% from March and 11% higher than last year. Retail prices for Choice beef reached $6.76 per lb, up 4.2% from March and 4.8% from a year ago.

Lower grain prices last week helped boost prices for feeder cattle and calves at most auctions across the country. AMS reporters expect grain prices will continue to be a major factor in cattle prices going forward.

Livestock groups discuss challenges involved in the marketing of finished cattle with the ultimate goal of bringing about a more financially sustainable situation for cattle feeders and cow-calf producers.

Merck announces 54 veterinary students from around the world received scholarships through the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. Students pursuing careers will each receive $5,000 scholarships.

Federal regulators shut off irrigation water to farmers along the California-Oregon border last week from a critical reservoir and said they would not send extra water to dying salmon downstream.

Cattle feeders in the South region continued to see a lack of negotiated cash trade due to an abundance of market ready cattle.