Texas Fed Cattle Prices Higher
Once Again; Showlists Cleared

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers closed mostly $2 higher last week in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading. Trade turned active under good demand on Wednesday, when most of the movement took place.

Buyers moved bids higher and most feedlots became willing sellers and depleted most or all of showlists. Sales were confirmed on 104,800 cattle, including 45,700 formulated and 200 previously contracted cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $59.77. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1203 pounds compared with 1199 a week earlier and 1170 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 38, 42 and 43, respectively.

Slaughter steer and heifer prices advanced for the second consecutive week in all parts of the nation. The estimated value of boxed beef cutouts for choice 2-3 550-700 pound carcasses was up $2.54 to $100.76, 700-850 pounds up $2.53 at $97.84.

With the improved cutout values, buyers were willing to pay the higher asking prices to maintain current slaughter levels. CME futures, although somewhat choppy the previous week, reacted to the higher prices paid for live cattle with impressive gains by late week.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1100-1250 lbs. $58-60.50, late $59-60, weighted average price $59.84; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $58-59, weighted average $58.91; carcass basis, select and choice 2-3 1150-1250 lbs. $94-95.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $58-60.50, late $59-60, weighted average $59.77; select and few choice 2-3 1075-1150 lbs. $58-59, weighted average $58.73; carcass basis, select and few choice 2-3 1150 lbs. $92.