Fed Cattle Prices Higher
As Supplies Remain Scarce

Tight supplies again set the tone for Plains fed cattle trading.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association counted a showlist of 56,707 head for the week, just 2900 head more than last week’s offering, and that one was the lightest in almost four years.

Those numbers, along with a healthier meat trade, pried another dollar out of the packers. By Wednesday, when nearly 38,000 head changed hands in the Texas Panhandle, the going price was $72, and at least one corporate yard was said to be holding out for $73.

Kansas also received mostly $72 on a week-to-date run of 41,400 head. Nebraska moved 50,900 through late Wednesday at mainly $72.50-73.25 live and $117-118 dressed, a few mostly choice steers and heifers to $119.

Midwest direct trade came in at $72-73.75 live and $117-118 dressed, terminal markets anywhere from $70.50 to $74.

Trade was quiet to moderate in the Southwest, a few mostly select heifers $69 live and $107 dressed, some Holsteins $66.50. The Northwest was $1-2 higher in slow to moderate movement at $112-113 dressed.

A much stronger trend prevailed in the feeder cattle and calf trade as well.

St. Joseph called about 2100 head steady to firm on steer yearlings and steady to $2 higher on big heifers, but termed calves weak to $2 lower in early rounds.

With fewer than 2000 head on offer, San Antonio was $3-5 higher on feeder steers and heifers but steady to weak on steers in the 300-400 pound range. Amarillo called 2700 head $2-4 higher on weights under 600 pounds, heavier steers $1-3 higher and heavier heifers $1-2 higher in a light test. The better end of two and three-weight steers made $67-74, threes and fours $67.50-74, fours and fives $66-72 and fives to sixes $59-67.50; six-weight steers earned $58.50-65.75, sevens and eights $62.50-65.30, and eight to nine-weights $56-59.25.

San Angelo’s special feeder sale Monday offered 5300 head and attracted firm to $1 higher prices. Details are available elsewhere in this issue.

Oklahoma City recorded receipts of 16,300 head; feeder steers were $1-3 higher, heifers $2-4 higher and calves of both flavors $1-4 higher. Best 350-400 pound steer calves earned $68.50-76.50; 400-500 pounds $66-73; 500-550 pounds $64.50-71.75; 550-600 pounds $61.50-67; 600-700 pounds $59-67.50; 700-750 pounds $60.25-63; 500-600 pound yearlings were $66.50-69; 600-700 pounds $65.50-67.50; 700-800 pounds $63.50-67.50; 800-900 pounds $64.75-67; 900-1000 pounds $59.25-61.75.