Big Plains Fed Cattle Volume
Traded On Declining Market

Plains fed cattle trade was brisk this week but at a price.

The Texas Panhandle moved 143,626 head through Wednesday on an 83,000 head showlist, though 60,000 head of those sold last Friday. More should have; the Friday trades were made at $66, but by Monday a declining futures board helped push prices down to $64, where they remained. Captives accounted for about 30,000 head.

Kansas likewise moved large numbers, roughly 110,000 head, at prices that had settled to mostly $64 by midweek. Nebraska sold 78,300 head and by Wednesday the going price was $64 live, $103-103.50 dressed.

Midwest direct trade was $63.50-64 live by Wednesday, dressed terms $103-103.50. Terminal markets received $62-64 with an outside top of $65.25 at Sioux Falls.

The far West was quiet.

The bears were definitely loose in feeder cattle country as well this week.

St. Joseph attracted 3000 head and quoted trends $1-3 lower on feeder steers and heifers, calves untested. At Springfield, where 2500 head turned out, steers weighing 500-725 pounds sold $2-4 lower, heifers of 525-765 pounds $1-2 lower; other weights went untried.

La Junta, Colo. reported 5800 head on a mixed but generally lower market. Steers were steady to $1 lower except for 500-600 pound weights, which lost $2. Heifers were $1-2 lower.

San Antonio receipts came to 900 head, the trend $4-6 lower on both steers and heifers. Amarillo offered a marginal 637 head and called no trend but noted a lower undertone.

Oklahoma City was $3-6 lower on steer calves and all weights of heifers, feeder weight steers $2-4 lower on receipts of 6900 head. Best 300-400 pound steer calves brought $106-110; 400-450 pounds $92-103; 450-500 pounds $81.50-96.75; 500-550 pounds $81.50-91.50; 550-600 pounds $79-85.50; 600-700 pounds $75-81.25; 700-800 pounds $75-79; 800-850 pounds $72-77.25; 850-900 pounds $70.25-73.50; 900-950 pounds $68.50-70; 955 pounds $66.75.