Plains Fed Cattle Trade Quiet
At Midweek Over Big Price Gulf

The Plains fed cattle trade was back in its familiar groove — or is that rut — at midweek following two crazy weeks. The two sides stared at one another across a wide gulf, each side waiting for the other to start building a bridge.

At presstime Wednesday, packers were bidding $63 to mostly $64, and feedlots sought anywhere from $66 to $68. Trade talk suggested at least the $67 figure was a fairly serious line in the bargaining sand.

Texas counted no weekly movement aside from 49,100 formulas, and that number was down about 8000 from last week's record. The showlist stood at 78,137 head.

Kansas trade likewise was confined to 28,600 captives. Nebraska counted 18,200 head, mostly dressed sales at $103-104.

Midwest direct areas were essentially untested, some dressed deals $103-104. Terminals paid $61.50-66.80.

The Southwest moved nothing through midweek, but slow trade in the Northwest found prices 50 cents to $1 higher dressed basis at $102-104.

Stocker and feeder cattle markets were uneven for the week.

St. Joseph, Mo. called about 1500 head steady to $1 higher, and a roundup of four Florida auctions with 7122 head between them reported a steady trend. La Junta, Colorado came back onto USDA's radar after a summer coverage hiatus, but no trend was reported on 2130 head.

In Texas, Crockett sold 2900 head at steady to $1 lower rates on weights under 500 pounds, steady to weak on heavier kinds. San Antonio offered roughly 1250 head; prices were steady to $4 higher on steers, heifers steady to $3 higher with 400-500 pound weights $5 higher. Amarillo was generally steady on 2336 head.

Oklahoma City's receipts totaled 10,760 head; steer classes sold steady and heifers steady to $2 lower. Best 350-400 pound steer calves brought $97-105; 400-450 pounds $91.50-97; 450-500 pounds $87.50-90; 500-550 pounds $85.50-95.50; 550-600 pounds $81-89.75; 600-650 pounds $77-81; and 650-700 pounds $77-78.75; 600-650 pound yearlings were $81.50-84.50; 650-700 pounds $80-83; 700-750 pounds $76.75-80.50; 750-800 pounds $75.25-79.50; 800-850 pounds $73.25-77.75; 850-900 pounds $72-75.25; 900-950 pounds $69.50-72; and 950-1000 pounds $68.25-68.75.