Texas Fed Cattle Trade Steady
In Thursday Movement Last Week

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold steady last week in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading.

Trade was slow until Thursday morning, when feedlots gradually became willing sellers.

Movement was heavy but not enough to completely clean up the showlists. Supplies of market ready cattle continue to run moderate to heavy, but average weights are showing signs of coming down.

Confirmed sales totaled 118,100 head including 27,800 formulated cattle, 11,500 contracts and 180 loads or 6900 head of CME deliveries, most of which are returning to the feedlot.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $65.02. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1152 pounds compared to 1160 a week earlier and 1140 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 42, 39 and 45, respectively.

Slaughter steers and heifers were also steady in other trading areas last week. Packer demand was good at current levels. Some feedlots in the South were reluctant to sell at steady money, thus some carryover.

Despite good marketings and continued rising boxed beef prices, live cash prices are in a stalemate. CME cattle futures stayed on the roller coaster all week and was no help to cash. Many contract cattle have been on the move this month with others still to come. Boxed beef prices were up $1.19 to $105.47.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $65, few $65.50, weighted average price $65.03; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $64-64.50, weighted average $64.08; pen select and choice 1-3 1250 lb. Holsteins $58.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $65, few $65.50, weighted average $65.03; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $64-64.50, weighted average $64.40.