Another Midweek Fed Cattle
Standoff Seen In Most Areas

Through Wednesday afternoon, Plains fed cattle trading remained stalled for the second week. Last week's trade amounted only to captives, some 39,000 head in Texas, so packers were expected to enter the market eventually.

Bids at presstime had come up to $64, but feedlots were asking $66 and appeared determined not to sell for less than at least $65. Texas captives stood at about 42,700, and roughly 39,000 live deals were conducted last Friday against a showlist of 114,664 head.

Between Friday trades and 18,000 captives, Kansas reported weekly movement of 55,100 head. Nebraska stood at 57,700, including some dressed sales at mostly $104.

Moderate movement in Midwest direct areas saw mostly $104 dressed prices, $103 late. Terminals paid anywhere from $61.75 to $65.60.

The Southwest was quiet, the Northwest steady at $102-103 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle price trends depended mostly on grazing conditions, thus varied widely.

St. Joseph, Mo. called 3400 head steady to $2 lower, whereas a roundup of four Florida auctions was steady on 5200 head. La Junta, Colo. quoted heifers steady, steers under 450 pounds $3-5 lower, but 550-600 pound steers $2 higher and remaining weights steady.

In Texas, Crockett was mostly steady on 1000 head. San Antonio offered about 1100 over two days and found steers steady to $2 higher, heifers under 600 pounds steady to weak and heavier heifers $2-3 higher. With receipts of 2100 head, Amarillo was steady to $2 higher on weights under 700 pounds, heavier kinds $1-2 lower.

Oklahoma City reported 11,600 head at weak to $1 lower rates on feeder steers and heifers, stockers $2-3 higher. Best 350-400 pound steer calves brought $105-107; 450-500 pounds $91-96.75; 500-600 pounds $82.25-90.50, thin $92.50-95.25; 600-625 pounds thin $84-87.75; 600-650 pounds $76.50-83.50; 650-700 pounds $72-79; 700-750 pounds $70-75; 750-800 pounds $68.75-73.50; 800-850 pounds $66-70.75; 850-900 pounds $64.50-67.50; 900-950 pounds $64.75-67; 950-1000 pounds $63-64.25.