Plains Feedlots Move Cattle
At Midweek For Second Time

Plains fed cattle trade did the almost unthinkable — it developed by midweek for the second week in a row.

That cost money both weeks, however, this week's trade coming in 50 cents to $1 below that of last week, and it down a dollar from the week previous.

The Texas Panhandle by Wednesday afternoon had moved 56,000 head for the day at $64-64.50, steady with Friday but not with last Wednesday's predominant $65. An additional 30,000 head of captives brought sales close to the week's 92,832-head showlist.

Kansas sales by late Wednesday afternoon stood at 20,200 for the day and 51,200 for the week, including 30,800 captives; prices were mostly $64 with a few to $64.50. Nebraska counted 64,300 for the same period at $63-64 live and mostly $101 dressed.

Midwest direct areas on Wednesday traded about even with last Friday at mostly $63-64 live, a few $64.50-65, and $100-102 dressed, mostly $101. Terminal markets paid $61-64.20.

Arizona moved a few pens of both steers and heifers at $63; otherwise, the Southwest was quiet. Slow trade in the Northwest saw prices steady at mainly $102-103 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle price trends were mixed so far this week.

St. Joseph, Mo. called 1400 head steady, and the same trend prevailed on 3572 head at four Florida auctions. With 3334 head on offer, however, La Junta, Colo., termed steers under 700 pounds steady to $1 lower and heavier steers $2 lower; heifers under 700 pounds were steady to $2 higher, heavier kinds steady.

In Texas, Crockett sold fewer than 1000 head and reported both steers and heifers $1-3 lower. San Antonio offered 1100 head over two days to a market that was generally steady to $2 lower on steers yet steady to $3 higher on heifers. Amarillo's 2670 head moved at a steady rate.

Oklahoma City receipts came to 12,100 head, the trend steady on feeder weight steers and heifers except for a $1 lower shift on steers over 900 pounds and heifers over 800 pounds; stocker cattle were steady to $1 higher in good demand. Best 350-400 pound steer calves earned $94-99.50; a few 450-500 pounds $81-84; 500-600 pounds $85.50-89; 600-650 pounds $78-85.75; 650-700 pounds $73.75-81; 700-750 pounds $69.50-74.50; 750-800 pounds $66-71; 800-850 pounds $64.75-68.75; 850-900 pounds $62-66.75; 900-950 pounds $60-63.25; and 950-1000 pounds $59.25-61.25.