Plains Feedlots Gain Another
Dollar On Moderate Movement

Plains feedlots added another dollar to the going rate on fed cattle this week, and some held back in hopes of adding still more.

Panhandle numbers through late Wednesday ran about 50,000 head in live trading and another 31,000 captives, mostly at $66. Action faded by mutual agreement as many lots sought $67 on some offerings and packers pulled back to avoid encouraging such confidence. The week's showlist was 101,971.

Moderate activity in Kansas on Wednesday brought numbers to 35,400 head, more than half of them captives; the going rate was $66 with a few outside deals to $66.50. Nebraska moved 49,500, mostly Wednesday morning at $65-66 live and $105 dressed.

Midwest direct areas received mostly $65-66 live, a few to $66.50; dressed terms ran $104-105. Terminals paid $61-63.80.

The Southwest saw no action through midweek, and a light test in the Northwest found prices steady to firm at $103-104 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices varied under regional and weather-related influences.

St. Joseph, Mo. reported mostly steady to $1 lower trends on 1600 head, though steers under 550 pounds picked up a dollar; Midwest storms were clearly a factor. A roundup of four Florida auctions totaling 4656 head saw steady prices. La Junta, Colo. offered 4900 head on a market that was steady to instances $2 higher on steer calves but $2 lower on heifer calves; feeder weight steers under 700 pounds were steady to $1 lower, heavier steers steady to $2 higher, feeder heifers under 700 steady, and heavier weights $1-2 lower.

In Texas, Crockett was steady to $1 higher on 1026 head and San Antonio was steady to $2 higher on 1338 head Monday. Amarillo sold 2450 head on a mostly steady basis.

Receipts at Oklahoma City were 13,200 head, the market generally steady with a $1-2 lower exception on steers weighing more than 900 pounds and heifers more than 800 pounds. Best 400-500 pound steer calves brought $91.50-100; 500-550 pounds $87.50-96.75; 550-600 pounds $82-88.25; 600-650 pounds $78.50-86.25; 650-700 pounds $72-77; 700-750 pounds $71.50-76.25; 750-800 pounds $69.75-73.25; 800-900 pounds $67-72.50; and 900-1000 pounds $64.75-68.50.