Plains Fed Cattle Movement
Virtually Nil At Midweek

Plains feedlots were holding for steady $64 money at midweek in the face of a few desultory $61 bids, and virtually nothing was moving.

Carryover from last week’s light trade swelled Texas Panhandle showlists by 7000 head to about 80,000. In addition, captive supplies rose 6000 to 45,300 head, giving packers plenty of cattle to choose from and enough weight to sit heavily on a market that has become increasingly easy to bend to their will. A $2-3 decline in dressed beef prices added even more ammunition for the bears.

Elsewhere, USDA found only scant direct movement at $97-98 dressed and a wide range of $61-64 live. Midwest terminals paid $60-61.50, a 50 cent to $1 decline.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices were generally steady to higher across the country this week, though some markets were closed last week and declined to call trends.

St. Joseph, Mo. ventured no comparison on 1100 head and a roundup of four Florida auctions selling 4872 head also offered no trend. La Junta, Colo. sold 3302 head over two days and termed all classes steady except 500-700 pound steers and heifers $1-2 higher.

In Texas, where heavy rains and flooding hampered movement in some areas, Crockett was $2-3 higher on 1222 head, Industry $1-2 higher on 1199 head, and Amarillo steady to $1 higher on 2545 head. With 1380 head on hand, Hallettsvile was $4-6 higher on weights under 500 pounds, $1-3 higher on heavier weights. Three Rivers was steady to $1.50 higher on a scant 383 head and Graham steady to $1 higher on 565.

Oklahoma City sold 9250 head and termed feeder weight steers steady to $1 higher, feeder heifers and both steer and heifer calves steady. Best 300-400 pound steer calves brought $105.50-111.50; 400-450 pounds $96-104, a few 450-500 pounds $91-94; 500-550 pounds $87-92.25, a string of fancy steers $94.25; 550-600 pounds $82.75-89.50; 600-650 pounds $75-83.75, a few strings fancy $86.75-88.75; 650-700 pounds $76.25-79.50; 700-750 pounds $77.75-79.75; 750-800 pounds $73-77.75; yearlings, 600-700 pounds $80-85; 700-750 pounds $78.25-81.25; 750-800 pounds $75.50-79.75; 800-850 pounds $75-77; 850-900 pounds $73-75.50; 900-950 pounds $69.75-73; 950-1000 pounds $67.75-71.50; and 1000-1100 pounds $66-66.75.