Plains Fed Cattle Price $61,
Sellers Reluctant To Take It

Plains feedlots were forced to give ground again this week, but not nearly as much as the packers tried to take.

The typical standstill of Monday and Tuesday finally broke on Wednesday when packers came off their $59-60 bids and paid $61. Feedlots remained reluctant sellers all day, but as the hours ground by, it appeared that would be the market.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association counted something shy of 69,000 head selling in their trade area through midafternoon, including about 28,000 captives. The showlist stood at 118,599 head.

Kansas had moved 24,700 for the same period at the same price, roughly 17,200 of them captives. Nebraska’s tally came to 40,000 head at mostly $61 live and $99 dressed, a few in the outside range of $98 to $99.50.

Midwest direct trade was generally $61 live and $98 to mostly $99 dressed, a few terminal sales $58-60 by midweek.

Trade activity in the Southwest was so quiet it would make a graveyard look like an anthill; not a hoof was reported moving through most of Wednesday. The Northwest saw slow trade and a $1 lower dressed market at $98.

Feeder cattle and calf prices took a hit in most areas this week, particularly on feedlot-ready weights.

St. Joseph called 2600 head of steers and heifers $2 lower. La Junta, Colo. offered 2131 head and quoted yearling steers and heifers $1-2 lower, lighter weight steers steady to $1 lower and lighter heifers steady.

San Antonio receipts came to just over 1600 head for two days; Monday’s trend was $3-6 lower on steers and steady to $3 lower on heifers, Wednesday’s steady to $2 lower on steers and $3-4 lower on heifers. With 4750 head on hand, Amarillo was steady to $1 higher on steers and heifers under 650 pounds, heavier offerings $1-3 lower.

Stocker cattle of both sexes and feeder weight steers all shared a $1-3 lower trend at Oklahoma City, feeder heifers steady to $2 lower. Receipts there came to 11,300 head. Best 350-400 pound steer calves brought $105-112; 400-450 pounds $103-109.50; 450-500 pounds $95-101, a few $103-104; 500-550 pounds $90-97.25, fancy $97.50-102; 550-600 pounds $85.50-91.50, fancy $91-95.75; 600-650 pounds $77.75-83.50, fancy $85-92; 650-700 pounds $73-79.75, a few fancy $80.50-82.25; 700-800 pounds $71-78.50; 800-850 pounds $69.50-75; 850-900 pounds $67-71; 900-950 pounds $65-67.75; and 950-1000 pounds $62.75-64.75.