Winter has been slow to come to the Plains this year, but the fed cattle market caught a good chill as it finally approached.

Texas Panhandle prices, struggling for the last couple of weeks, slipped a dollar to $61 in heavy trading Tuesday, then gave up another dollar in scattered Wednesday sales. Total movement through midweek was roughly 90,000 head, including 24,500 captives. The showlist was just over 80,000.

Kansas counted almost 108,000 head for the period at prices in line with those of Texas, and Nebraska tallied 74,000 at $60-61 live and $94-96 dressed; late sales were at the lower end.

Midwest direct trade was mostly $60 live by Wednesday, dressed terms $94. Terminal markets paid $57.50-60.60, a few to $61.60.

The Southwest was quiet except for a few pens of select and choice steers in the Southern California desert area at $60. The Northwest was slow under light to moderate demand, prices steady to $1 lower at mostly $97-99 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices were generally steady to higher though some weakness was noted toward the feeder weight end.

St. Joseph, Mo. called 2600 head steady, and a roundup of four Florida auctions saw a steady to $2 higher trend on 7729 head. La Junta, Colo. turned in decidedly mixed results; on 6455 head, yearlings were steady, light calves $1-2 higher, instances $3-5 higher, but heavy calves were steady to $2 lower.

In Texas, Crockett sold 1900 head on a steady to $2 higher market. San Antonio offered 2150 head over two days; steers and heifers were termed weak Wednesday after being steady on steers and steady to as much as $3-5 higher on heifers Monday. With 1467 head on hand, Amarillo was $1-3 higher on weights under 600 pounds, heavier weights poorly tested with a weaker undertone.

Oklahoma City defied the general trend on 10,050 head, calling feeder weight cattle steady to $2 higher, steer calves steady and heifer calves $2-3 lower. Best 300-400 pound steer calves earned $97-106.50; 400-450 pounds $91.50-98; 450-500 pounds $84.75-93; 500-550 pounds $78.50-86.75; 550-600 pounds $74.25-83.50; 600-650 pounds $70.25-74; 650-700 pounds $67.50-72.50; yearlings, 600-650 pounds $76-78.25; 650-700 pounds $72.75-75; 700-800 pounds $70-74; 800-850 pounds $68-73.50.