Feeders, Packers In Standoff,
$2-3 Dividing Them At Midweek

Packers and feedlots were staring each other down at presstime over a $2-3 chasm, buyers offering $63 and sellers holding firm for at least $65. In such a case, $64 or a little better would usually buy a lot of cattle, but the mood in the trade Wednesday suggested that wouldn’t happen this time.

By afternoon, in fact, feeders appeared to be coalescing around a $66 stance.

The upshot was that almost no live trading was done. The Texas Cattle Feeders Association tallied only 385 head of heifers changing hands in their trade area Wednesday, and that a premium deal. The week to date total in the Panhandle was 21,836 head, all but a few pens of them captives. The week’s showlist stood at 93,580.

Kansas likewise had no significant live trade, moving 11,600 head of mostly formula and contract cattle for the period. Colorado sold some 6000 head at $102-103 dressed, a few loads live at $63. Nebraska was the Plains exception; packers readily bid $65 there and bought 34,500 head through midafternoon Wednesday.

Midwest direct trade ranged from $64 to $65.25 live and $101-104 dressed, terminals paying anywhere from $61.50 to $65.

Direct trade in the Southwest was moderate through Wednesday, prices termed $1-2 higher at $63-64 on beef breed steers and heifers, $58 on Holstein steers. The Northwest likewise reported moderate trade and a $1-2 higher trend at $99 dressed.

Feeder cattle showed a stronger undertone this week, probably in response to widely scattered rains through the Plains.

Springfield, Mo. called 2800 head steady on steers under 650 pounds and all heifer offerings, steady to firm on heavier steers. St. Joseph was steady on everything except 700-900 pound steers, which suffered a $1-2 decline.

San Antonio sold about 2000 head at $2-3 higher prices overall. With only 1100 head on offer, Amarillo reported $1-2 higher trends. The better end of 200-300 pound steers brought $69.50-75, 300-400 pounds $66-69, 400-500 pounds $62.50-66, 500-600 pounds $61.25-63, 600-700 pounds $59-63, 700-850 pounds $61-63.75.

Oklahoma City recorded receipts of 14,400 head, mostly plain to average quality in thin to medium flesh. Steer calves weighing less than 500 pounds sold $2 lower but other stocker and feeder classes were firm. Best 350-400 pound calves brought $61-62.50; 400-500 pounds $58.50-64; 500-600 pound calves $55-62.25, yearlings $60-65; 600-700 pounds $60.25-63.75; 700-800 pounds $60.75-65; 800-900 pounds $60.75-65; 900-950 pounds $59.50-63.