Plains Fed Cattle Stalemated
Once More Over Price Spread

Plains feedlots and packers were at loggerheads once more this week, standing each other off over a $3-4 price gulf.

Texas Panhandle area feedlots sought $67-68 after last Friday's $66-66.50 market; packers bid $63-65 in return. Week-to-date receipts as of Wednesday afternoon totaled 104,600 head, but that figure was about evenly split between captives and Friday trades; there was nothing doing from Monday on. The week's showlist stood at 72,926 head.

Moderate inquiry and light demand in Kansas left that state counting 85,000 head for the week, 33,300 of them captives and the balance Friday sales. Nebraska tallied only 17,000 for the period and provided no price quotes.

Light movement in Midwest direct areas saw live prices at $65 and dressed rates $104. Terminals paid $62.75-65.60.

The Southwest was quiet under fair interest and inquiry, a few pens of steers selling late last Friday at $66 in Arizona. The Northwest was $2-3 higher dressed basis in slow trade at $103-104.

Stocker and feeder cattle trends were clearly stronger in most areas of the country this week.

St. Joseph, Mo. termed 1000 head steady to $2 higher. A roundup of four Florida auctions with 6481 head between them reported a steady rate. La Junta, Colo. offered 5350 head and found heifer calves and yearlings steady, steer calves under 500 pounds $1-2 higher and heavier weights steady, steer yearlings steady except for a $2 higher trend on 700-750 pound weights.

In Texas, Crockett was steady to $1 higher on 1870 head. San Antonio was mostly steady Monday on 1731 head, but 500 head more Wednesday went $3-5 higher on steers, steady to $2 higher on heifers. A 2000-head run in Amarillo found weights under 600 pounds steady, heavier kinds $2-3 higher.

Oklahoma City receipts came to 8838 head, the trend there $1-2 higher on feeder weight steers and heifers, steady on steer calves but steady to $2 lower on heifer calves. Best 350-400 pound steer calves brought $104-115; 400-450 pounds $103.75-106.75; 450-500 pounds $96.50-104; 500-550 pounds $93.50-97.75; 550-600 pounds $87.50-96; 600-700 pounds $83.50-90.50; 700-725 pounds $81.50-84.50; 600-700 pound yearlings were $88-94.50; 700-750 pounds $86.50-92.25; 750-800 pounds $82-87.25, a few 800-850 pounds $85-87.75, many fleshy $80.50-80.75; a few 850-900 pounds $79.25-83; and a few 900-925 pounds $74.25-75.