Plains Fed Cattle Entities
Apart By Dollars At Midweek

Plains feedlots and packers were in different hemispheres pricewise at midweek. Bids of $66 ran up against asking prices of $69-70.

Last week’s trade came late, as usual, and at $67 was on the low end of the initial asking range but still a $1 improvement over the previous week.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association counted 79,925 head on area showlists this week and captive supplies of 39,508 head. The list was off almost 7000 head from last week and captives down about 1800 head.

Observers saw strong positive omens in the gradually strengthening prices. They noted that the improvement has occurred despite kill rates exceeding 700,000 head for three weeks running. That is about 23,000 head above levels for the same period last year, and production at such rates ordinarily depresses prices; the fact that the market has maintained its strength is seen as an indication of even better performance when supplies finally slacken.

Elsewhere, USDA found limited direct trade at $66 live and mostly $106 dressed. Midwest terminals paid $63-65.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices were uneven at best across the country this week.

St. Joseph, Mo. opened $1-2 lower Wednesday on 1200 head, a roundup of four Florida auctions with 7232 head between them mostly steady. La Junta, Colo. sold 2820 head Tuesday and found calves too few for a test but yearlings mostly steady to instances $1 higher on heifers.

In Texas, Crockett was $1-2 lower on 2589 head, Three Rivers steady on about 1000, and Hallettsville steady to $2 higher on 1389. Amarillo, however, was steady to $1 lower on 2627 head.

Oklahoma City offered 9585 head and quoted feeder steers steady, feeder heifers $1-2 higher, and calves $3-6 lower. Best 350-400 pound steer calves brought $103.50-107; 400-450 pounds $93.50-99.25; 450-500 pounds $88-97.50; 500-550 pounds $80-89.75; 550-600 pounds $78-87.50; 600-700 pounds $77-85.25; yearlings, 500-600 pounds $88.75-94.25; 600-700 pounds $83-86.75; 700-750 pounds $82.50-85.35; 750-800 pounds $80.25-82.75; 800-850 pounds $80-81; and 895 pounds $76.