Texas Fed Cattle Prices Move
Higher As Numbers Remain Tight

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold $1 higher in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week.

Trade was slow to moderate most of the week with the exception of Wednesday, which was active. Clearance was good, and few cattle were carried over. Confirmed sales totaled 89,500 head included 14,100 formulated, 100 previously contracted and 1500 head or 41 loads of CME futures delivered cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $71.85. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1155 pounds, compared with 1164 pounds a week earlier and 1170 pounds a year ago. Heifer percentages were 42, 42 and 38, respectively.

Kansas direct trade was mostly $1 higher. Confirmed sales totaled 80,800 head, including 16,800 head committed.

Slaughter steer and heifer prices at Midwest terminals and direct points were mostly $1-2 higher, and western parts of the country $1-2.50 higher.

Boxed beef cutout values for choice 2-3 550-700 pound carcasses were up $302 to $114.28, 700-850 pounds up $3.29 to $112.48.

The week opened in a normal fashion, quiet, with buyers bidding steady at the $71 level and sellers asking $1-2 more. Aided by slightly higher than expected slaughter levels, tight supplies of finished choice cattle, early gains on CME futures and boxed beef prices, and lower feed costs, commercial feedlots moved their showlists at the higher asking prices.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1250 lbs. $71-72, one pen on the North Plains $73, late $72; weighted average price $71.88; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1250 lbs. $70-71.50 weighted average $70.84; pen select and choice 1-3 1200 lb. Holsteins $65.50.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1000-1150 lbs. $71-72, late $72, weighted average $71.88; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1150 lbs. $69-71, weighted average $70.12.