Nation’s Fed Cattle Trade About
Stymied Last Week; Few Steady

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold steady across the country in a limited test last week.

With cattle feeders taking losses of $100-150 per head, they held tight for a higher price and negotiation never took place.

The average liveweight continues to increase, creating more tonnage in the season when turkey and ham get all the publicity. Packers are still killing at minimum levels and should not have a big inventory to fall back on.

Boxed beef cutout values are still on a decline and Thursday closed down $1.59 at $106.25. Sales of slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades totaled 35,300 through Thursday. The previous week's full count was 188,600 head. On the High Plains direct markets, steers and heifers 900-1400 pounds grading 35-65 percent Choice brought $64-65.

Midwest direct markets had similar cattle grading 35-80 percent choice at $64-65 and on a dressed basis, 550-950 pound carcasses were $103-104.50, average $103.75.

Average yielding slaughter cows were weak to $3 lower, bulls weak to $1 lower. Cutter cow carcass cutout value closed Thursday down $2.18 at $85.21. Breaker cows in Colorado, Oklahoma and Alabama sold from $33.50 to $39.50, boners $34-38.50, lean $21-34.50 and bulls $45-53.50.