Texas Fed Cattle Prices Lower
Last Week In Midweek Trading

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers closed 50 cents to mostly $1 lower in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week. Movement was light to moderate most of the week with the bulk of trade and movement occurring at midweek.

Buyers came into the week bidding lower and never strengthened bids; feedlots reluctantly decided to trade cattle at the $1 lower level. Many feedlot operators traded most available fed cattle on their showlists, but some managers were reluctant to trade at the lower levels and opted to carry cattle over.

Sales were confirmed on 120,900 head, including 41,000 formulated and 3400 contracted cattle. The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $59.13.

The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1195 pounds, compared to 1203 the previous week and 1163 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 44, 38 and 48, respectively.

Slaughter steer and heifer prices trended lower for the week in all trading areas around the country.

The pace and trend for the week was pretty much established early, when commercial feedlots moved limited numbers at lower money, beginning with the Southwest area on Tuesday at $59. Buyers held firm at that level, leaving some areas with carryover, indicating the possibility for reduced slaughter numbers.

The composite value of boxed beef cutouts on choice 2-3 550-700 pound carcasses was down 88 cents at $99.68, 700-850 down 47 cents at $97.62.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1100-1250 lbs. $58.50-59, few $59.25-59.50, some last Friday $60, weighted average price $59.17, few 1300-1400 lbs. $57; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $57.50-59, weighted average $58.21; select and choice 2-3 1-3 1100-1200 lb. Holsteins 50. Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $58.50-59, few $59.50, some last Friday $60, weighted average $59.14; select and few choice 2-3 1075-1150 lbs. $58-59, weighted average $58.26; select and choice 2-3 1050-1150 lbs. including heiferettes $57.