Feeder Cattle Trade Reduced
During July 4 Holiday Period

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —(USDA)— Sales of feeder cattle and calves were limited across the country during the July 4 holiday-shortened week. Feeder steers and heifers continued their downward price plunge on the limited offerings to close weak to $2 lower; Oklahoma City was the lone exception with prices for calves $1-4 higher and yearling heifers steady to $1 higher.

Although corn prices fell substantially during the week, demand for feeder yearlings or calves failed, for the most part, to stop the downward price movement. Fed steers and heifers found tough going again and the week's movement occurred at $62 in the High Plains, which was $1 lower than the previous week. Boxed beef prices fell hard during the week.

Yearlings weighing more than 600 pounds made up approximately 72 percent of the week's run.

Some trading:

Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma: steers, medium and large No. 1 few 750 lbs. $71-72, 825-895 lbs. $64-69.50, 900-925 lbs. $64-67; 550-650 lbs. delivered $74-80, 750-815 lbs. $70-72; heifers, 625-810 lbs. $65-69.50; 700-750 lbs. delivered $65-68.

Oklahoma: steers, medium and large No. 1 750 lbs. $71.50-73, 800 lbs. $70-70.25, 825-850 lbs. $68-69, 875 lbs. $67.50, 925 lbs. $67; 600 lbs. for July 15 delivery $76.25; heifers, 625-675 lbs. $68-69.50, 700 lbs. $66.50-69, 725-750 lbs. $66-67.50, 800 lbs. $64.

Colorado: steers, medium and large No. 1 few loads 775 lbs. delivered $73.50.

Wyoming, Western Nebraska and Western North and South Dakota: steers, medium and large No. 1 900 lbs. $70; auction, 985 lbs. $63.75; heifers, auction, 570 lbs. $69.

Montana: steers, medium and large No. 1 couple loads 850 lbs. $68.

Washington, Oregon and Idaho: steers, medium and large No. 1 550-575 lbs. $88, 850-875 lbs. $65.50-66; 800-900 lbs. delivered $68-70, 900 lbs. $69-70; heifers, 500-550 lbs. $82, 775-800 lbs. $64-64.50, 825 lbs. $62.50-65; 700-800 lbs. delivered $65-67, 800 lbs. $67-68.

Arkansas: auction, steers, medium and large No. 1 300-350 lbs. $81-90, 350-400 lbs. $78-86, 400-450 lbs. $75-83, 450-500 lbs. $73-81, 500-550 lbs. $71-78, 550-600 lbs. $69-76, 600-700 lbs. $67-74, 700-800 lbs. $64-71; heifers, 300-350 lbs. $72-80, 350-400 lbs. $71-78, 400-450 lbs. $69-76, 450-500 lbs. $67-74, 500-600 lbs. $65-72, 600-700 lbs. $63-70, 700-800 lbs. $60-65.

Kentucky: auction, steers, medium and large No. 1 200-300 lbs. $88-96, 300-400 lbs. $80-90, 400-500 lbs. $75-85, few $86-88, 500-600 lbs. $72-80, 600-700 lbs. $70-79, few $80-83, 700-800 lbs. $66-74, 800-900 lbs. $65-71; Holsteins, large No. 2 300-400 lbs. $63-69, 400-500 lbs. $55-65, 500-600 lbs. $64-64.75, 700-900 lbs. $54.50-55; heifers, 200-300 lbs. $75-85, 300-400 lbs. $68-78, few $79-81, 400-500 lbs. $67-77, few $78-80, 500-600 lbs. $66-75, some $76-78, 600-700 lbs. $64-70, 700-800 lbs. $62-67.

Tennessee: auction, steers, medium and large No. 1 200-300 lbs. $69.50-96, 300-400 lbs. $70-88.50, 400-500 lbs. $67.50-86, 500-600 lbs. $64-81, 600-700 lbs. $60-76.50; heifers, 200-300 lbs. $68-77, 300-400 lbs. $64-82.50, 400-500 lbs. $60-78, 500-600 lbs. $60-75, 600-700 lbs. $60-68.