Comment used to denote cattle that were sold a per head basis, instead of being sold on a per cwt. basis.  Per head basis selling usually occurs when quoting replacement or bred females.

With regards to hay reporting, Per Point means that the price of hay is sold based on the protein level.  Instead of being sold per ton, for example, it is sold per protein point. This unit of measurement is most commonly used by dairies and exporters.

The direction in which prices are moving in relation to trading in the previous reporting period(s).  There are five types:

HIGHER – The majority of sales are at prices measurably higher than the previous trading session.

FIRM – Prices are tending higher, but not measurably so.

STEADY – Prices are unchanged from the previous trading session.

WEAK – Prices are tending lower, but not measurably so.

LOWER – Prices for most sales are measurably lower than the previous trading session.

Care will be exercised in using the terms "price" and "value."  The "prices" at which livestock or livestock products are sold are not necessarily their "value."  The terms are not synonymous and must not be used interchangeably.

Butter which is packaged in one-pound or smaller pieces.

Used to compute advanced prices as well as class and component prices that set the minimum price paid to milk producers in all federal milk orders.  The formulas consist of weighted average product prices, make allowances, and yield factors.  The product prices are those published in the National Dairy Products Sales Report (a mandatory survey conducted by AMS) for butter, NDM, cheese, and dry whey.

Approximately 130,000 to 160,000 pounds.

These terms may be used to indicate the actual or estimated deliveries of the particular item being reported.  "Total receipts" refer to all animals or animal products unloaded for whatever purpose.  "Receipts" indicate the number of the particular item available for sale on a particular day at each market regardless of whether it is received at the market that day.  Generally, the "receipts" include holdovers from previously counted or estimated livestock.  Acceptable terms to be used in reference to the supply/offerings are: "light," "moderate," and "heavy."

Comment used to describe mature cows or heifers that are being purchased to be placed in a cow/calf operation.

Transactions that reflect product that has been purchased and resold (can be more than once).  Trades can occur above, below, or at spot prices depending on current market conditions.  These trades are not reported in spot price ranges but may be included in comments.