Feeders, Packers $2-3 Apart
On Plains Fed Cattle Prices

Plains feedlots and packers stood $2-3 apart on price at midweek, the latter bidding $65 and the former asking $67 to mostly $68.

Last week’s trade finally jelled at $66 on Friday, $1 better than the previous week and $2 more than packers had been bidding.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association counted 86,800 head on area showlists and 41,300 captives in the mix.

Elsewhere, USDA reported moderate trade on the Northern Plains at $64-66 live and mostly $105 dressed. Midwest terminals paid generally $64-66 as well.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices were uneven around the country, varying from place to place and class to class.

St. Joseph, Mo. termed 1200 head steady to weak but a roundup of four Florida auctions with 6883 head between them was steady to firm. La Junta, Colo. sold 2674 head and reported calves steady to $1 lower under a light test but yearlings steady to $1 higher.

In Texas, Crockett was steady to $1 higher on heifers and steady to $2 higher on steers with 400-500 pounders as much as $3 higher; receipts came to 1792 head. Three Rivers and Hallettsville were steady on 2554 and 2520 head, respectively. Amarillo counted 3732 head across the scales and termed weights under 600 pounds $2-4 higher, heavier offerings $1-2 higher.

With 11,400 head, Oklahoma City was steady to $2 higher on feeder weight steers but $1-2 lower on such heifers; calves were steady to $2 lower with the decline on the heavier end. Best 350-400 pound steer calves brought $103-113.50; 400-450 pounds $96-105; 450-500 pounds $91-99.50; 500-550 pounds $87-94; 550-600 pounds $80.75-90; 600-650 pounds $79-85; 650-700 pounds $76-85.25; 700-750 pounds $76.75-79; yearlings, 600-650 pounds $84.75-86.25; 650-700 pounds $84-86.75; 700-750 pounds $82.50-86.25; 750-800 pounds $80.75-84.25; 800-850 pounds $81.50-82.50; 870 pounds $78.75; 900-950 pounds $74-74.10.