Texas Fed Cattle Prices Higher,
Most Trading Done On Wednesday
AMARILLO (USDA) Slaughter steers and
heifers sold steady to 50 higher in Texas Panhandle and
Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week. Trade was at
a standstill until Wednesday, when the bulk of movement
occurred.
Buying interests came into the week bidding lower
prices while feedlots held cattle in firm hands. Feedlots
resisted selling until packers raised bids to steady to
higher levels at midweek.
The week's movement of 188,200 includes nearly 52,000
cattle traded the previous Friday. Captive cattle numbers
remained at record levels at 57,000 head.
Most feedlots were willing sellers and showlists were
depleted with only minimal carryover. The weighted
average price of all beef type steers was $65.42. The
average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area
packing plants the previous week was 1191 pounds compared
to 1181 a week earlier and 1199 a year ago. Heifer
percentages were 41, 42 and 40, respectively.
Slaughter steers and heifers were steady to $1 higher
in other marketing areas. Packer demand was good as many
cattle sold by midweek, one day earlier than the norm of
late Thursday or Friday. Though numbers appear large, it
only cleans up the previous week's large holdovers.
Feedlots are current and kills remain large.
Boxed beef prices remained in a healthy position with
very little change to average $110.18. Demand remains
good for beef.
Some Texas trading:
Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs.
$65-66, few $66.50, weighted average price $65.47; select
and few choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $63.50-65, weighted
average $64.22.
Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1150
lbs. $65-66, few $66.50, weighted average $65.40; select
and few choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $64-65, weighted
average $64.52.
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