Texas Fed Cattle Prices Termed
Steady, Most Trade At Midweek

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold mostly steady in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week. Trade and movement was slow until midweek, when the bulk of movement occurred.

Most buying interests came into the week bidding at steady levels as boxed beef cutout values showed some price strength. Most feedlots decided to trade at the steady price levels, and only minimal carryover of showlists was noted.

Average liveweights are running 40-50 pounds heavier than a year ago, and the week's average weight of 1200 pounds is the heaviest on record.

Sales were confirmed on 111,800 head including 34,200 formulated and 2900 contracted cattle. The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $59.97. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1200 pounds compared to 1192 a week earlier and 1160 pounds a year ago. Heifer percentages were 41, 43 and 43, respectively.

Slaughter steer and heifer prices in Midwest direct trade areas were steady to $2 higher and western parts of the nation were also steady to $2 higher, as were Midwest terminals in early trading.

The estimated composite of boxed beef cutout values for choice 2-3 550-700 pound carcasses was up $1.27 at $104.89, 700-850 pounds up $2.22 at $103,36.

With weaker CME futures, commercial feedlots moved the majority of live inventory by midweek. Packers continue to slaughter aggressively, supported by good movement in the retail trade.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1100-1250 lbs. $60, few $60.25-61, weighted average price $60.05; select and few choice 2-3 1100-1350 lbs. $58-60, weighted average $58.50; select and choice 1-3 1200-1250 lb. Holsteins $53.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1000-1150 lbs. $60, few 60.25-60.50, weighted average $60.02; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1150 lbs. $57.75-60, weighted average $59.20; select and choice 2-4 1100-1200 lbs. including heiferettes $57-58.