Texas Fed Cattle Trade Higher,
Movement Remains Quite Liberal

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers closed mostly $2 higher in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week.

Trade ranged from slow through Tuesday to active Wednesday and moderate on Thursday.

The week's Texas Panhandle movement marks the third consecutive week of numbers running well over 100,000 head. Most feedyards moved the bulk of their market-ready cattle and will have little carryover. Demand was good for slaughter cattle with price upturns noted both Wednesday and Thursday. Sales were confirmed on 112,100 head, including 30,300 head of formulated and 85 loads or 2900 head of CME cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $64.46. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1171 pounds compared to 1174 a week earlier and 1153 the same week a year ago. Heifer percentages were 42, 41 and 40, respectively.

Slaughter cattle were $1-2 higher around the country with good demand. Feedlot clearance was good with little carryover. The few cattle carried over are still green. A few newcrops sold in the North with no discounts.

Numbers of slaughter-ready cattle are tightening and steer carcasses are down two pounds; on the other hand, heifer carcass weights jumped six pounds. Overall weights are within 10 pounds of a year ago and supplies are limited for the next few months, especially in the North.

Boxed beef sold to mostly moderate demand with an average price of $100.47, up $2.25 for the week.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $63-65, late mostly $65, weighted average price $64.53; select and few choice 2-3 1100-1350 lbs. $62-64.50, weighted average $63.19; select and choice 1-3 1200-1300 lb. Holsteins $56-58.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $63-65, late mostly $65, weighted average $64.50; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $62-64.50; weighted average $63.73; select and choice 2-4 1150-1250 lbs. including heiferettes $61-62.25.