Plains Fed Cattle Steady
To Stronger At Mostly $63

Plains feedlots sought another big jump in prices this week and didn’t get it, but they managed to hold the line and perhaps advance just a smidgen.

Packers came into the week bidding $63, even with late last week and $1 higher than the bulk of sales, which were made at midweek. Feedlots, emboldened by the past couple of weeks, wanted $64 to as much as $66. That standoff obtained, more or less, until Wednesday, when feedlots relented and began moving cattle. Even so, some trades were reported at $63.50.

The Texas Panhandle moved more than 90,000 head through Wednesday afternoon on an 87,000-head showlist which boasted the smallest carryover of the year. Captives made up about 30,000 head, futures deliveries another 4800.

Kansas sold 32,600 head at mostly $63 with a few to $63.50; captives came to 13,100. Nebraska’s count was 27,000, virtually all Wednesday at mostly $62.50-63 live and $98-99 dressed.

Midwest direct trade was $62-63.50 live and $98-99 dressed. Terminal markets paid $58-61.70.

The Southwest was quiet through midweek. About 6200 head in the Northwest sold $1-2 higher dressed basis at $95-97, a few to $98.

A generally higher trend prevailed throughout the stocker and feeder cattle trade.

St. Joseph, Mo. offered 1500 head and called both steers and heifers $1-3 higher. La Junta, Colo. was $1-2 higher on steer calves, heifer calves mostly $2 higher, steer yearlings $2-3 higher and heifer yearlings steady to $2 higher.

In Texas, the Crockett auction cited no comparison on 2115 head and San Antonio was essentially rained out, having hosted more than a foot of rain over the weekend. Amarillo receipts came to about 3000 head, the trend $1-2 higher on steers under 700 pounds and heifers under 600, heavier weights of both flavors $2-3 higher.

Oklahoma City offered 9200 head and termed feeder weight steers and heifers $1-2 higher, calves $2-4 higher. Best 300-350 pound steer calves sold for $85.50-94; 350-400 pounds $85-89.50; 400-450 pounds $79-88.50; 450-500 pounds $77-84; 500-550 pounds $72.50-80.75; 550-600 pounds $69.75-76; 600-700 pound calves $67.75-75.25, yearlings $70-75; 700-750 pounds $70.75-75; 750-800 pounds $68.25-74.75; 800-850 pounds $66.25-71.50; 850-900 pounds $63.75-66.75.