Texas Fed Cattle Move Higher
During Turkey Feast Week

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold $1 higher in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading during the holiday-shortened period last week. Trading was slow to moderate the previous Friday and then slow until Wednesday, when the bulk of trading took place.

Higher prices were recorded in carcass beef cutout values and CME futures trading supported the price upturn in slaughter cattle. Most area feedyards sold the bulk of their cattle with very little carryover.

The overall area has been cold and damp through the week, causing wheat pasture growth to slow somewhat. Sales were confirmed on 93,900 head, including 41,600 formulated cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $72.87. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1177 pounds, compared with 1194 a week earlier and 1175 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 48, 43 and 48, respectively.

Slaughter cattle in other marketing areas were $1-1.50 higher. Packer demand was good for the light supplies of slaughter-ready cattle. Feedlots are current and expected to stay as such for some time. Despite the short kill week, packers aggressively sought cattle early in the trade period. Beef demand has been good with packers successfully moving cutout values to improved levels as retailers find less supply available.

Since the first of October, slaughter cattle prices are up $6 with cutout values $11.65 higher. Live and dressed prices are moving forward at equivalent rates, making for a healthy improvement in values and well in line with the forces of supply and demand. Boxed beef cutout value averages were up $2.25 at $118.25.

Some Texas trading:

Steers: select and choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $72-73.50, mostly $73 late, weighted average $72.95; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $70-72.50, weighted average $71.85.

Heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $72-73.50, mostly $73 late, pen $74, weighted average $72.90; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $71-72, weighted average $71.97; select and choice 2-4 1100-1200 lbs. including heiferettes $71; carcass basis, select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $115.