Texas Fed Cattle Not Tested
Last Week In Trade Standoff

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Prices on slaughter steers and heifers in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlots were not well tested throughout last week and no good price trend comparison is available.

Trade and movement was at a standstill, buyers and sellers at a standoff the entire week. Buying interests came into the week bidding lower at mostly $64 while feedlot operators were persistent, asking $66-68 the entire week. Confirmed sales on 39,200 head included 38,100 formulated cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $65. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1165 pounds compared to 1180 a week earlier and 1144 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 38 each week.

Slaughter steers and heifers were steady to $1 lower in other marketing areas. Seller interest was light as weight losses were prevalent in some areas due to sloppy conditions, while others could use more time on cattle before bending to lower bids.

The boxed beef cutout averaged $103.40 for a stable market with only a 17-cent decline. The price spread between select and choice beef remains narrow with heavy carcasses still outselling lights.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: pen select and choice 2-3 1200-1250 lbs. $65; select and choice 1-3 1350 lb. Holsteins $56.

Slaughter heifers: select and few choice 2-3 1050-1250 lbs. $64.