Most Texas Fed Cattle Prices
Steady Last Week, Volume Down

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold mostly steady in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week, instances $1 lower early.

Trade was slow the first part of the week, becoming moderate to moderately active on Wednesday and continuing Thursday as feedlots resisted lower offers. Clearance was moderate to good, some feedlots carrying cattle over. Sales were confirmed on 69,900 head including 12,200 formulated and 1700 previously contracted cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $69.98. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1158 pounds compared with 1172 pounds the previous week and 1175 pounds a year ago. Heifer percentages were 45, 41 and 41, respectively.

Kansas direct trade amounted to 66,800 head and included 14,100 committed cattle. Prices were mostly steady.

Midwest terminals were mostly steady to $1 lower, Midwest direct points but mostly steady to $1 higher. The western parts of the nation were steady to $2 lower.

The estimated composite of boxed beef cutout values for choice 2-3, 550-700 pound carcasses was down 62 cents at $106.71, 700-850 pounds down $1.08 at $104.38.

With a bearish cattle on feed report putting placements higher than expected and marketings lower than expected, commercial feedlots continued to market short-fed cattle in an effort to maintain current price levels.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1100-1250 lbs. $69 to mostly $70, few North Plains $71, late $70, weighted average price $70; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1250 lbs. $69-69.75, weighted average $69.29; select and choice 1-3 1200-1250 lb. Holsteins $59-64.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1000-1150 lbs. $69 to mostly $70, few North Plains $71, late $70, weighted average $70.01; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $68-69.50, weighted average $68.40; utility and choice 2-4 1150 lbs. including heiferettes $66.50.