Plains Fed Cattle Bring $63,
But Trade Light At Midweek

Plains feedlots had sold a few cattle through midafternoon Wednesday at $63 or the equivalent, but most lots were still holding for $64 at presstime.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association reported 11,115 head moving at either $63 cash money or the carcass equivalent, which ranged $99-105 depending upon the grid in use.

The Panhandle area showlist stood at 80,623 head, captive cattle at 50,586.

Elsewhere, USDA reported too little movement to establish a solid price. Cash deals ranged from $62.50 to $65 and bulked in the $63.50 area. Dressed deals ranged $100-102.50, the weighted average $101 or a little better. Midwest terminals sold at $62-64.80.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices were a mixed bag across the country, mostly holding steady but ranging from several dollars higher to about as many lower in isolated cases.

St. Joseph, Mo. termed 1600 head $4-6 lower, a roundup of four Florida auctions unevenly steady on the 5380 head between them. La Junta, Colo. termed 1621 head too few to test.

In Texas, Crockett was mostly steady on 1927 head and Three Rivers went unreported. Graham was $1-2 lower across the board on 1110 head, and with 1042 head on offer Tulia was $3-6 lower on steers and $2-4 lower on heifers. Amarillo sold 2533 head and was $1-3 lower on most offerings but $3-5 higher on 400-500 pound weights.

With 9950 head on hand, Oklahoma City was steady on feeder weight steers and heifers, $3 higher on steer calves and steady on heifer calves except for 400-500 pounders, which were $8 higher. Best 250-300 pound steer calves brought $122-125; 300-350 pounds $119-123; 350-400 pounds $111-119; 400-450 pounds $102-108.50; 450-500 pounds $96.50-100.75; 400-450 pounds thin $107-113; 450-500 pounds thin $100.50-109.50; 500-550 pounds $90-98, fancy $97.50-103; 550-600 pounds $85.50-91.50, fancy $90-94.25; 600-700 pounds $81-92.25; 700-750 pounds $75-82; yearlings, 600-700 pounds $90-93.25, fleshy $83.50-86.75; 700-775 pounds $86-91.50, many fleshy grain feds $83-87.50; and 800-835 pounds $83.25-85.75.