Midweek Comes, Goes Again
Without Fed Cattle Trading

Plains fed cattle trading was back in its comfort zone again this week, waiting and watching as Wednesday rolled past.

That worked for feedlots last week, as holding out until Thursday earned them $67 for the first time since late 1997. This week they were holding for anywhere from $68 to $70 against packer bids of $66. With packers deep in black ink, most observers felt confident they could get at least $68 if not better.

Texas Panhandle live movement week-to-date totaled 4413 head, all last Friday and mostly at $67. Captives added another 27,900 head on a showlist of 70,760, which is down another 6300 head.

Kansas counted 30,200 head for the period, virtually all captives, and Nebraska's tally was 20,200; live prices there were $65.50-66.50, dressed deals mostly $105 with a few to $106.

A trickle of activity in Midwest direct areas made $65.50-67 live and $105-106 dressed, terminals $64.50 to $67.90.

The Southwest was quiet except for a few pens of beef-breed steers that brought $65.50 in the Southern California desert area. Moderate trade in the Northwest found prices $1 lower at $101-102 dressed.

Stocker and feeder cattle were steady to higher in most areas after the run-up of the last few weeks.

St. Joseph, Mo. reported a firm undertone on a light run of 600 head, and a roundup of four Florida auctions termed trends steady to $2 higher on a total of 4937 head. La Junta, Colo. offered 1284 head and quoted prices steady except $2 higher on 400-500 pound steer calves.

In Texas, San Antonio went both directions, reporting 900 head steady to $3 higher on Monday but another 535 head $3-4 lower by Wednesday. Amarillo was steady on 1937 head.

San Angelo's special feeder sale Monday had short receipts of 1350 head and $1-2 higher prices. Details are elsewhere in this issue.

With just fewer than 13,000 head on offer, Oklahoma City called feeder weight steers and all heifers $1-3 higher, steer calves firm. Best 400-450 pound steer calves brought $96.75-101.75; 450-500 pounds $90-96.50; 500-550 pounds $88.75-94; 550-600 pounds $82.50-89.25; 600-700 pounds $79-85; 700-800 pounds $74.25-80.25; 800-850 pounds $72.50-76.75; 850-900 pounds $69.50-74.75; and 900-1000 pounds $67.75-71.50.