Texas Fed Cattle Trade Lower
Last Week In One-Day Trading

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold mostly $1 lower last week in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading. Trade and movement was slow until Thursday, when the bulk of the week's trading occurred.

Daily declines in wholesale boxed beef cutout values kept buyers cautious and bidding lower on live cattle.

The average liveweight of fed cattle continues to be 30-50 pounds heavier than a year ago. Many feedlot operators sold all or parts of showlists, however, there was some carryover. Sales were confirmed on 107,100 head including 38,100 formulated and 500 head of CME deliveries at area packing plants.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $56.11. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1203 pounds compared to 1199 a week earlier and 1161 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 41, 40 and 45, respectively.

The estimated value of boxed beef cutouts for choice 2-3 550-700 pound carcasses was down $4.79 at $98.74, 700-850 pounds down $3.47 at $95.99.

With lower cutout values and eager to protect their positive margins, packers opened the week in normal fashion, with lower bids, held their bearish position throughout the week, and again purchased inventories at lower levels.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1100-1250 lbs. $56-57.50, late $56-56.50, weighted average price $56.15; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1400 lbs. $55-56, weighted average price $55.04.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $56-57, late 56-56.50, weighted average $56.12; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1250 lbs. $55.