Familiar Refrain On Plains:
Fed Cattle Trade Is Stalled

It's a familiar if not altogether popular song: Plains fed cattle trade remained stalemated at midweek.

Packers were bidding $64, at least until Wednesday afternoon, when they offered to ante up a steady $65; feedlots were asking $66 or $67.

Texas Panhandle volume stood at around 7400 head for the week, mostly Friday deals at $65. Another 31,000 captives were committed on a showlist of 99,196 head.

Kansas counted 25,800 all together, and 24,700 of those were captives. Nebraska's movement came to 31,000, including about 20,000 Wednesday at $65 live and dressed deals of $103.50 to an outside of $105, the latter straight Choice blacks.

Midwest direct trade was steady to 50 cents higher at $64-65 live, a few to $65.50, and $103.50-105 dressed. Terminal markets paid $62-65.

The Southwest reported no activity. Moderate trade in the Northwest saw steady prices at $102-104 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle were unevenly steady to lower in most areas.

St. Joseph, Mo. called 1400 head steady Wednesday, a roundup of four Florida auctions steady to $2 lower on 4821 head. La Junta, Colo. sold 3633 head and reported steady prices on steers over 550 pounds, heifers 500-600 and over 700 pounds; lighter steers were $2-3 lower and heifers $3 lower.

San Antonio moved about 1250 head over two days and encountered generally steady prices Monday but a $3-6 lower trend on steers and $1-4 lower rates on heifers by Wednesday. Amarillo was steady across the board on 2317 head.

With 11,600 head on offer, Oklahoma City found feeder steers steady, feeder heifers steady to $1 lower and stocker steers and heifers $1-3 lower. Best 400-500 pound steer calves brought $88.25-94; 500-600 pounds $84-91; 600-650 pounds $79.50-84.50; 650-700 pounds $74-80; 700-750 pounds $70-75; 750-800 pounds $67.50-71; 800-850 pounds $65.75-70.75; 850-900 pounds $63-66.50; 900-950 pounds $62-64.25; and 950-1000 pounds $61.50-62.