Plains Fed Cattle Trading
Stalled Again At Midweek

With the exception of Nebraska, Plains feedlot operators at midweek were holding fast to demands for stronger money.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association counted precisely no cash cattle moving in their trade area through Wednesday afternoon. Roughly 28,300 formula deals were confirmed on a showlist of 80,439 head. Bids were $58-59 with a few rumored to $60, asking prices mostly $62.

Kansas was likewise quiet, with captives accounting for virtually all of the 34,400 head counted there. Nebraska reported 84,400 head at mostly $60 live and $96-97 dressed.

Midwest direct areas saw mostly $60-61 live and $96-97 dressed, terminals anywhere from $57.50 to $60.90.

The Southwest had moved almost nothing by midweek, a few mostly select steers making $92 dressed in-state and $99 out of state. Northwest direct trade was $1-2.50 higher in a light test at $97-98.50 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices across the country tended to gain at least modest strength over the long holiday period, at least where the hiatus didn't interrupt trend reporting.

St. Joseph, Mo. reported 2500 head $5-6 higher than at the last pre-holiday sale, but a group of four Florida auctions with 3527 head between them declined to call a trend. Compared to two weeks ago, 1800 head at La Junta, Colo. were steady to $1 higher on calves under 500 pounds, $3-5 higher on heavier steers and $4 higher on similar heifers; feeder steers were steady to $1 higher but heifers remained untested.

In Texas, Crockett offered 1100 head and was among those choosing not to call a trend. With 1000 head counted over two days, San Antonio ended up steady to $4 higher on steers and $3-6 higher on heifers. Amarillo offered fewer than 700 head but called steers and heifers firm to $2 higher.

Oklahoma City receipts totaled 4100 head. Feeder weight steers and heifers sold $1-3 higher, steer calves steady and heifer calves steady to $2 lower. Best 400-450 pound steer calves earned $88.25-96; 450-500 pounds $81-87.50; 500-550 pounds $77.50-83.50; 550-600 pounds $73.25-79; 600-650 pounds $71.25-75; 650-700 pounds $67-68.25; 600-700 pound yearlings were $69-74; 700-800 pounds $68-73; 800-850 pounds $66.25-71.25; 850-900 pounds $64.50-68.25; 900-950 pounds $62.75-64.50; and 950-1000 pounds $61.75-63.50.