Fed Cattle Still Soft,
But Beef Demand Good

OKLAHOMA CITY —(USDA)— The fed cattle trade remained slow late last week in the south, while in other areas trades were beginning to take place. Live sales were steady to $1 lower and dressed sales $1 lower. Feedlots in the south were still hanging tough despite Friday’s slightly lower CME futures board.

Packer margins were very much in the black with daily kills of 134,000-head plus. Demand for beef remained good and boxed beef prices continued to trade on a stable basis. Boxed beef cutout values Thursday averaged $111.21, down 50 cents from the previous Friday.

Sales of slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades totaled 106,200 head through Friday morning. The previous week's full count was only 172,800 head.

In High Plains direct areas, 35-65 percent Choice steers and heifers weighing 900-1400 pounds were $62-63.50, averaging $63.

Midwest direct markets quoted 35-80 percent Choice steers and heifers 900-1400 pounds at $63, dressed 550-950 pounds $100-102.

Slaughter cows sold steady to $3 lower, bulls steady to $1 lower. Cutter cow carcass cutout value closed Thursday at $87.08, down $4.20 from the previous Friday. On Tuesday, breaker cows 1000-1600 pounds in Colorado, Oklahoma and Alabama brought $38-42.50, boners 900-1500 pounds $39.50-44.50, lean 850-1300 pounds $36-42; bulls 1500-2200 pounds were $51-54 in Colorado, $53.50-56.50 in Oklahoma and $55.50-58.50 in Alabama.