Texas Fed Cattle Edge Upward
Thursday In One-Day Trading

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold steady to 50 cents higher in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week.

Trade was at a standstill until Thursday, when all of the week's sales occurred. Feedlots did not become willing sellers until bids were in the $65.50-66 range. Live cattle prices held steady to higher despite weakness in wholesale boxed beef cutout values. Sales were confirmed on 105,100 head, including 50,100 formulated cattle.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $65.89. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1188 pounds compared with 1191 a week earlier and 1203 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 41 each week.

Slaughter steers and heifers sold mostly firm in other marketing areas. Packer demand remained good despite lower beef prices and rumors that demand for beef would falter now that the big beef Labor Day holiday period was past.

Feedlots remain current as many feeders held cattle in firm positions, taking nothing less than steady money. The boxed beef cutout values were down $2.29 at $107.89.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $65.50-66, pen $66.50, weighted average price $65.92; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $65.50-65.50, weighted average $65.03; carcass basis, select and choice 2-3 1150-1250 lbs. $103.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1150 lbs. $65.50-66, weighted average $65.93; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $64.50-65.50, weighted average $65.25; carcass basis, select and choice 2-3 1050-1150 lbs. $103.