Plains Fed Cattle Trade Mired
Again, Motionless At Midweek

Plains feedlots were in a standoff with packers again at midweek, a continuation of the pattern that has obtained for some time now. Packer bids ran generally $77, asking prices $80 with some to $81. An offer of $79, it's said, would buy cattle.

Texas Panhandle movement, on a showlist of 76,497 head, amounted only to 45,046 head of captives.

Kansas counted 25,700 captives and was the site of some $81 asking prices. Nebraska moved a few pens of steers at $78 live and $128 dressed, but action otherwise was limited mainly to about 12,000 captives.

Midwest direct sales were scarce and ranged from $77 to $79.75 live with a few $125 dressed sales. Limited receipts at terminal markets brought mostly $75-77.

The Southwest reported no movement under fair interest and inquiry. Slow trade in the Northwest found prices $2 higher dressed basis at $123-125, mostly $124.

Stocker and feeder cattle trends were generally higher around the country this week with exceptions for weather markets.

St. Joseph, Mo. was one of the exceptions; a second round of ice and snowstorms held receipts to 1200 head and damped demand to the point that trends were mostly $2-4 lower. A roundup of four Florida auctions totaling 3692 head found steady to $1 higher going. La Junta, Colo. offered 2510 head and quoted steers steady, heifers under 700 pounds steady to $1 higher, and heavier heifers $1 higher.

In Texas, Crockett sold 586 head and reported prices steady to $1 higher on weights under 500 pounds, steady to $2 higher on heavier offerings. San Antonio was steady to $3 higher Monday on just under 1000 head. Amarillo was steady on steers, steady to $3 higher on heifers, and receipts came to 1029 head.

With 6700 head on hand, Oklahoma City sold feeder weight cattle steady and calves $2-4 higher. Best 350-400 pound steer calves earned $124-129; 400-450 pounds $114-122.75; 450-500 pounds $108.50-121.50; 500-550 pounds $104-110.50; 550-600 pounds $95-105; 600-650 pounds $89-96; 650-700 pounds $87.75-94.25; 700-750 pounds $86-90.75; 750-800 pounds $84.25-88.75; 800-850 pounds $79.25-83.50; 850-900 pounds $79-80.75; 900-950 pounds $78.25-82; and 1060 pounds $74.25.