Plains Fed Cattle Movement
Picks Up Wednesday At $74-75

Plains feedlots held out for $75 this week and got it, packers coming to that level after bidding as little as $71 early. The new price is as much as $2 better than last week's level.

Texas Panhandle yards had sold about 30,000 head at mostly $75 by midafternoon Wednesday and observers expected that number to rise as the dust cleared. The week's showlist was only 38,693 head. Captives added another 35,900 head to the total movement.

Kansas was up to 16,300 head in live trades and 36,200 captives. Nebraska reported 13,250 head at $74-75 live and $117-118 dressed; captives added another 12,400 head.

Midwest direct areas sold 50 cents to $1 higher at $73-74 live and $115 dressed. Terminal markets paid $70-74.

The Southwest reported no trade at midweek. Northwest direct areas were $2-3 higher in a light test at $116-118.50 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle trade sent a mixed set of signals; prices ranged from dollars lower to dollars higher.

St. Joseph, Mo. termed 4500 head steady to $2 higher, as did a roundup of Florida markets counting 6860 head between them. La Junta, Colo. sold 7019 head and found heifer calves steady to $1 higher, other classes steady.

In Texas, Crockett went unreported but San Antonio trends were mostly steady over two days on 1092 head. Amarillo offered nearly 3000 head to a $1-2 lower market.

With receipts of 14,650 head, Oklahoma City was steady on feeder heifers, steady to $1 lower on feeder steers, and steady to $3 lower on calves. Best 350-400 pound steer calves brought $111-123; 400-500 pounds $104-114.50, thin or fancy $113.25-118; 500-550 pounds $97-103.50; 550-600 pounds $90.50-96.50; 600-650 pounds $91-95; 650-700 pounds $87-94.50; 700-760 pounds $88-90.50; yearlings, 500-550 pounds thin $100-107; 600-700 pounds $93-95.50; 700-750 pounds $90-95.25; 750-800 pounds $87-93.75, fleshy $84-90; 800-825 pounds mostly fleshy $86.75-88.50; 850-900 pounds mostly fleshy $80.25-80.75; and a few 945 pounds $80.25.