Overfinished Cattle Push Fed
Prices Lower Across Country

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —(USDA)— Direct fed cattle sales began trading $1 lower last week and closed $2 lower. Dressed basis sales followed the same pattern and wound up $2-2.50 lower.

Strength in the market that had been developing over the past three weeks was nearly eliminated as boxed beef prices faltered. Much of the problem is with heavy cattle and overdone cattle in the Cornbelt that have been driving the market downward as these undesirables compete for shackle space.

Boxed beef cutout values Friday morning averaged $106.43, down $3.11 from the previous Friday and off $5.21 from two weeks earlier.

Sales of slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades totaled 132,800 head through 10 a.m. Friday. The previous week’s full count was a mediocre 168,800 head.

On the High Plains direct markets, 35-65 percent choice steers and heifers 900-1400 pounds brought $63-65, weighted average $64.30.

Midwest direct markets quoted 35-80 percent choice steers and heifers weighing 900-1400 pounds $63-65, weighted average $63.75. Dressed 550-950 pound carcasses were $96-102, weighted average $99.80.

Slaughter cows and bulls on Tuesday were steady to $3 lower under fairly good demand. Cutter cow carcass cutout value closed Thursday at $78.09, down $2.67 from the previous Friday and down $4.77 from two weeks earlier.

Colorado had breaker cows weighing 1000-1600 pounds and boners 900-1500 pounds $35.75-38.50, Oklahoma $34-37; Alabama had breakers $30.50-33.50 and boners $34-36. Lean 850-1300 pounders were $33.50-35 in Colorado, $31.50-33.50 in Oklahoma and $30-33 in Alabama. Bulls 1500-2200 pounds brought $43-46.50 in Colorado and Oklahoma and $43-48 in Alabama.