AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers were not well tested last week, only 6300 head moving on the cash trade through Thursday. Around 5000 head sold the previous Friday at $69-69.25, then trade remained at a standstill until 1600 head moved Thursday at $68.

Movement finally untracked Friday with 38,400 head bringing $68.50 to mostly $69, but those sales will be counted in this week's receipts.

Lower futures and boxed beef cutouts resulted in light packer demand and lower bids. However, a manageable showlist and adverse weighing conditions due to snow in the area encouraged feeders to take a firm stance and carry their cattle over. Sales were confirmed on 50,400 head including 44,100 formulated cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $68.99. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1178 pounds compared to 1166 a week earlier and 1183 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 43, 48 and 41, respectively.

Elsewhere in the country, slaughter cattle on a live basis sold steady to $1 lower, dressed basis steady to $2 lower. Packers filled immediate needs in a tug of war type trade in which they paid steady money only until their needs were met. Packers were determined to buy at lower money, but many feeders held firm.

Snowstorms in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and the Southeast had little effect on major feedlot trade areas. Packers incurred some problems moving meat products to the East Coast, however, and this lessened immediate needs for cattle.

Boxed beef cutout values finished the week down 87 cents at $109.38. Choice and select product are finally at a normal spread of $6.50. This is due to the longer-fed cattle currently backlogged in feedlots, a situation prompting concern for the next two months.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $68-69.25 weighted average $68.99; pen select and choice 1-3 1250 lb. Holsteins $62.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $68-69.25, weighted average $68.79; pen select and few choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $67.