Plains Fed Cattle Movement
Brisk And Higher At Midweek

Plains feedlots were able to maintain their New Year momentum this week, adding a dollar to last week's improved market.

A stronger beef trade, good movement and short-bought packers all contributed to the brighter outlook.

Texas Panhandle feedlots moved 67,411 head through midweek at live prices of mostly $62, and an additional 35,628 formula deals produced a total that eclipsed the week's 89,397-head showlist.

Kansas sold 71,800 head for the same period, counting 27,100 captives, also mostly at $62. Nebraska tracked the other two leading states with 94,700 head through Wednesday afternoon, prices generally $62 live and $100 dressed.

Midwest direct trade areas brought generally $62 live with extremes from $61 to $62.50; dressed rates ran $99-100. Midwest terminals paid $59-61.30, a few to $62.80.

The Southwest offered a light run through midweek at generally $62 live and $101 dressed to out of state buyers; Holstein steers garnered $57. Direct trade in the Northwest was $1.50-2 higher dressed basis at $99-100.

Stocker and feeder cattle continued their rally as well.

St. Joseph, Mo. called the market $1-2 higher on 4500 head, their largest run of the season, and a roundup of four Florida auctions were $1-3 higher on 5900 head. La Junta, Colo. offered 7548 head and was $5 to as much as $10 higher on steer calves, $3-5 higher on heifer calves, $3 higher on steer yearlings and $2-3 higher on heifer yearlings.

In Texas, Crockett was firm to $2 higher on 2276 head. San Antonio sold 1650 head on Monday and termed steers $2-5 higher, heifers mostly steady to $2 higher but as much as $3-4 higher on 300-400 pounders; another 734 head sold steady to $2 lower Wednesday, the decline mostly on lighter weights. With receipts of 2265 head, Amarillo was $1-2 higher on heifers and on steers under 600 pounds, $2-4 higher on heavier steers.

Oklahoma City counted 4100 head and sold feeder weight steers and heifers $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; yearlings weighing 600-700 pounds 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.