Fed Cattle Trade Once Again
Faces Significant Price Gap

Plains feedlots and packers once again faced a wide gulf between bids and asking prices after last week’s negative market turn.

Prices fell $1-2 last week to mostly $64 live, and bids this week were in the $62-63 range. Feedlots, however, sought to recover the loss with asking prices of $66 to as much as $67.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association counted 93,500 head on showlists in their trade area, up 4400 head. Captive supplies were off about 950 head at 43,138.

Elsewhere, USDA found scant movement at $61-63 live and $97-98 dressed. Midwest terminals ranged $61.10-62.85.

Stocker and feeder cattle trends in most areas around the country ranged a little to either side of steady this week.

St. Joseph, Mo. was steady on 1400 head and a roundup of four Florida auctions counting 5120 head between them called prices steady to $1 lower. La Junta, Colo. sold 2079 head but found all classes too lightly traded for a clear test of trends.

In Texas, Crockett was steady to $1 higher on 2081 head and Hallettsville was steady to $2 higher on 1820. With 1651 head on hand, Three Rivers was steady. Amarillo’s 3255 head sold steady in most cases, steers over 600 pounds steady to $1 higher.

San Angelo’s monthly special feeder sale moved 2354 head at rates firm to $2 higher on offerings under 500 pounds and steady on heavier kinds.

Oklahoma City was steady on feeder weights and $2-5 higher on calves; receipts came to 9475 head. Best 350-400 pound steer calves earned $102-106.50; 400-500 pounds $90-103; 500-550 pounds $87-92.50; 550-600 pounds $80-88.25; 600-650 pounds $80-84.25; 650-700 pounds $78-83; 700-750 pounds $75-78; yearlings, 600-650 pounds $82.75-84.25; 650-700 pounds $83.25-84; 700-750 pounds $81.50-84.75; 750-800 pounds $78.25-82.50; 800-850 pounds $77-79; 850-900 pounds $74.75-78.25; and 900-960 pounds $72-72.75.