Plains Fed Cattle Movement
Active At Midweek But $1 Off

Plains feedlots began moving cattle Wednesday, but they gave up a dollar doing it.

In Texas, the movement came to 40,000-plus head at $69-69.50, the bulk of the 67,910-head showlist. Given the small list, observers were hard-pressed to explain why feeders took the lower bids so readily after asking $71 earlier. A quest for empty pens was one suggestion. Captives in Texas came to an additional 30,100 head.

Kansas counted 59,800 in all, including 32,500 captives; prices there were in line with those of Texas. Nebraska sold 35,800 head through midweek at $68.50-69 live and $108 to mostly $109 dressed.

Midwest direct areas were lightly tested Wednesday at $68.50-69.50 live and $108-109 dressed. Terminals paid $66-70.10.

The Southwest was quiet with little interest or inquiry. Active trade in the Northwest saw prices $1 lower at $107-107.50 dressed.

The bloom was off the stocker and feeder cattle market in most areas this week.

St. Joseph, Mo. called 2000 head weaker though a roundup of four Florida auctions with 8174 head bwtween them found steady going. La Junta, Colo. offered 3788 head and termed calves steady, feeder steers $2 lower and feeder heifers $1-2 lower.

In Texas, Crockett saw good demand on 3000 head but declined to call a market for lack of a comparison report last week. San Antonio sold 1829 head Monday at mostly steady rates, steers under 400 pounds $2-3 higher; Wednesday's action on an additional 735 head was steady to $2 lower on steers and $3 lower on heifers. With receipts of 2314 head, Amarillo's trend was steady to $2 lower.

A total of 12,590 head faced $1-3 lower rates at Oklahoma City, calves pressured by dry wheat pastures and feeder weights by full feedyards. Best 300-400 pound steer calves brought $92-101; 400-500 pounds $85-98; 500-600 pounds $77-88; 600-700 pounds $76.75-80.75; 700-715 pounds $72.25-77.50; yearlings, 600-700 pounds $80.25-84; 700-750 pounds $78-83.50, thin $84.25; 750-800 pounds $76-82; 800-850 pounds $74-80; few 850-900 pounds $74.50-77.75; and a few 900-950 pounds $69.50-72.50.